Sansar Chand gang member held on eve of PM review meet

A “wildlife trader” known to operate in Sariska, Kalya, has been arrested from Rajasthan. Kalya is part of the Sansar Chand gang and is one of those responsible for the disappearance of tigers in Sariska.

Kalya will be in CBI custody. The arrest comes a day before the Prime Minister reviews the tribal bill and measures taken to curb wildlife crime. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has been working on a Cabinet note to set up the multi-disciplinary wildlife crime bureau. It has been delayed to incorporate the suggestions made by the tiger task force. The task force has suggested a leaner bureau with more powers at the state level. The meeting would ensure that the bureau is set up without further delay.

PM Manmohan Singh would also look into granting autonomy to Project Tiger and an MOU with states for accountability on funds for wildlife projects.

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In a separate meeting, he would be brainstorming on the draft tribal bill that has split the conservationists and tribal activists right down the middle. The two warring sides have been invited for the meeting.

The Tribal Affairs ministry had prepared a bill that would recognise the rights of tribals over the land they are settled in. The wildlife conservationists claim this would sound the death knell for the dwindling wildlife population.