Only building, no scientific staff appointed at wildlife institute, reveals RTI

The dream project mooted by late AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa in 2013 was allotted Rs 27 crore to construct buildings and establish eight scientific centres under the AIWC, but the Forest Department has converted the concept of scientific approach into just another administrative block for the uniformed service. While the director, forest ranger, guards and drivers have been posted by the State government through deputation, direct recruitment of scientists, biologists, animal keepers and lab technicians for AIWC is yet to be initiated under the project.

As many seven posts, including that of senior scientists and junior assistants, are lying vacant and there is no clarity on whether the centres promised under the GO will be established, according to RTI petitioner M Devarajulu of Ayanambakkam, Tiruvallur. The RTI reply states that the office of the principal chief conservator of forests directly fills the vacancies and no posts are filled by the AIWC, Vandalur. The copy of the RTI reply dated October 31, available with DT Next, also noted that the AIWC was inaugurated by CM Edappadi K Palaniswami in 2017 though there were no specifics about the scientists and ecologists associated with the centre, the petition read.

The irony is that a government order dated 23-01-2013 issued by former additional chief secretary Mohan Verghese Chunkanth read that the State would establish eight centres under the AIWC. Though Palaniswami inaugurated the AIWC building last year, the other centres conceptualised by the former policymakers are yet to be implemented. “As per the GO, Centres for reproductive biology, animal care science, conservation ecology, conservation education, evolutionary genetics, migratory birds (to be established in Point Calimere) and species survival were planned, but nothing has materialised. There were discussions to prune down the proposal to five centres, this again failed to materialise,” a senior forest official said.

State Forest Department Secretary Shambu Kallolikar said the commissioned AIWC is yet to be reviewed by him. “We will review and look into these issues,” he said. A couple of senior forest officials evaded queries.