Idukki (Kerala): The State Forests Department has not effectively utilised the funds allocated by the Central Forests and Environment Ministry, reveals a Right To Information (RTI) data.
As per the RTI revelation, the department has spent only 50 per cent of the funds allocated in the past 5 years. The funds have been allotted under the schemes- Project Elephant, Project Tiger and Development of Wildlife Habitat. Of these projects, the State has to bear 40 per cent of the total cost while the Centre will provide 60 per cent.
From 2014 through 2020, the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment has allotted Rs 71.33 crores to Kerala. However, the State has utilised only Rs 32.74 crores so far, reveals the RTI data. The information has been revealed by the Central Ministry in response to an RTI application from a Kochi native and RTI activist K Govindan Namboodiri.
Even as human-wildlife conflicts are on the rise, the RTI information is proof that the Forests department continues to show disinterest in effective utilisation of the funds. The number of cases of wildlife attacks has been steadily rising even along with the hillside districts including Idukki, over the past few years.
Despite fund allocation by the Central Ministry, the Forest Department has not been able to ensure protection, prevent wild animals from entering the inhabited areas and to reduce human-wildlife conflicts, effectively utilising the funds.
The fund is being used to built forest boundaries, solar-powered fences, railings and dredges to avoid conflicts with humans. Projects to ensure water and food availability for the animals within the wilds must be implemented. Besides, awareness campaigns should be conducted to educate people, especially those living close to the forest areas, about the wild animal attacks.
However, none of these has been effectively carried out by the Forest Department officials, proves the RTI.
The RTI data revealing the Central Forest Ministry’s fund allocations to Kerala Forest Department from the year 2014 and the data on the funds utilised has emerged now.
