At a time when demand for tiger capital status for Nagpur is gaining momentum, the flip-flop by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) over setting up of regional office at Nagpur continues. The opening of the office here may be delayed because of this.
The announcement for a regional office in Nagpur was made by minister for environment and forest Jairam Ramesh in January last year. Even 15 months later, things have not moved much and only hunt for space for the office is on.
Initially, NTCA was trying for space in New Secretariat building opposite Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) in Civil Lines where several central government offices are located. The plan was shelved as NTCA, being an independent authority, could not get accommodation there.
Recently, local forest officials, who are helping NTCA, finalised a private bungalow in Ramdaspeth. Now, the plan to occupy that seems to have been dropped to save money. Fresh efforts are being made too look for government space.
"When government space is available, why waste money on rent," asked officials coordinating with the NTCA. "We have given the feedback to NTCA. Besides, Nagpur MP Vilas Muttemwar is also being approached for help in getting accommodation at NS building. He has been submitted a memorandum in this regard," they added.
Talking to TOI, S P Yadav, joint director of NTCA, confirmed that NTCA was preferring government space. On delay, Yadav said, "We cannot give a timeframe when the regional office will come up, but recruitment process for assistant inspector general (AIG) post will start on April 15." NTCA has already cleared the name of wildlife vet Dr A D Kholkute as consultant.
On January 13, the environment ministry formally announced decentralisation of NTCA by creating regional offices at Nagpur, Guwahati and Bengaluru (covering 17 tiger states) to facilitate guidance to states and monitoring in an ongoing manner at the regional level for addressing ecological and administrative concerns relating to tiger conservation.
However, the way things are moving, it may take another six months for the NTCA office to become functional. There is no building yet, no notification about the office, and no names of officials who would head it. Conservationists Prafulla Bhamburkar and Kundan Hate said the tiger capital would have no meaning without NTCA's presence.
"The regional office will see to it that its guidelines are implemented effectively and there is better co-operation between tiger states. Currently, it takes a lot of time for vital messages and guidelines to reach these states. The decision-making is slow and ultimately tigers suffer," they added.
The announcement for a regional office in Nagpur was made by minister for environment and forest Jairam Ramesh in January last year. Even 15 months later, things have not moved much and only hunt for space for the office is on.
Initially, NTCA was trying for space in New Secretariat building opposite Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) in Civil Lines where several central government offices are located. The plan was shelved as NTCA, being an independent authority, could not get accommodation there.
Recently, local forest officials, who are helping NTCA, finalised a private bungalow in Ramdaspeth. Now, the plan to occupy that seems to have been dropped to save money. Fresh efforts are being made too look for government space.
"When government space is available, why waste money on rent," asked officials coordinating with the NTCA. "We have given the feedback to NTCA. Besides, Nagpur MP Vilas Muttemwar is also being approached for help in getting accommodation at NS building. He has been submitted a memorandum in this regard," they added.
Talking to TOI, S P Yadav, joint director of NTCA, confirmed that NTCA was preferring government space. On delay, Yadav said, "We cannot give a timeframe when the regional office will come up, but recruitment process for assistant inspector general (AIG) post will start on April 15." NTCA has already cleared the name of wildlife vet Dr A D Kholkute as consultant.
On January 13, the environment ministry formally announced decentralisation of NTCA by creating regional offices at Nagpur, Guwahati and Bengaluru (covering 17 tiger states) to facilitate guidance to states and monitoring in an ongoing manner at the regional level for addressing ecological and administrative concerns relating to tiger conservation.
However, the way things are moving, it may take another six months for the NTCA office to become functional. There is no building yet, no notification about the office, and no names of officials who would head it. Conservationists Prafulla Bhamburkar and Kundan Hate said the tiger capital would have no meaning without NTCA's presence.
"The regional office will see to it that its guidelines are implemented effectively and there is better co-operation between tiger states. Currently, it takes a lot of time for vital messages and guidelines to reach these states. The decision-making is slow and ultimately tigers suffer," they added.
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