Gangtok, 18 December (IPR): The 21st meeting of the State Board of Wildlife, Sikkim was held at Samman Bhawan, Gangtok which was chaired by Shri PS Tamang (Golay) Hon’ble Chief Minister-cum-Chairperson of the Board.
The meeting was attended by Hon’ble Minister of Forest & Environment-cum-Vice Chair Person, Shri Karma Loday Bhutia, Smt. Sunita Gajmer, Hon’ble MLA-cum-Member and Shri ML Shrivastava, IFS, PS-PCCF-cum-Member Secretary of the Board.
The Members of the Board and their representatives from various Government Organizations namely DGP, Sikkim Police, Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Director DST, CEO STDC, Director Animal Husbandry Deptt, Customs Deptt. , Roads & Bridges Department, Rural Development Department and Home Department were present. Defence Personnel from the ITBP, SSB, and 17 Mountain Division were present alongside the various officials from the Forest & Environment Department and NGOs WWF, Sikkim, Khangchendzonga Conservation Committee Yuksom, Muntanchi Lom Aal Shezum (MLAS) Dzongu and TMI, Gangtok.
The main agenda for the meeting was to facilitate Wildlife Clearance for developmental projects involving diversion of forestland under Protected Areas for proposed Rural Water supply schemes, Road connectivity schemes and Defense proposal for establishment of the Border Outposts.
As per the agenda, the representatives of different user agencies presented their diversion cases which included Yumeysamdong and Roads in Protected Areas.
The HCM also raised concern about the prevailing situation of human wildlife conflict cases especially at Daramdin constituency. He directed to address the issue and tackle the situation under the provision of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The Board is also sensitive towards the Defense security requirement with ameliorative measures.
A major outcome from the discussions was increasing ex-gratia payments for victims of Human Wildlife conflict resulting in death, grievous injury and simple injury caused by wild animals.
The meeting concluded with vote of thanks given by Shri DC Nepal, IFS Conservator of Wildlife.
