Bhubaneswar: Subhendu Mallick, General Secretary, Snake Helpline and Honorary Wildlife Warden, Khurda has drawn the attention of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik into the violation of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 by DFO, Chandaka WL Division.
Mallick alleged the DFO, Chandaka Wildlife, Mohd Jamil did not allow him to participate in the ongoing elephant radio collaring programme at Bharatpur Reserve Forest though he is the Honorary Wildlife Warden of Khurda.
“The area of operation is under my jurisdiction also and the DFO has no authority to stop me. A person no way related with wildlife or forest department were allowed in the party while I was not allowed,” Mallick stated in his complaint.
“I suspect my stand against anti-poaching, wildlife crimes are some of the reasons behind the DFO’s action,” he added.
Mallick has requested the Chief Minister to instruct DFO, Chandaka to include all HWLWs of Khurda in the ongoing elephant radio collaring programme undertaken at Bharatpur Reserve Forest.
