The Uttarakhand Government’s decision to transfer seven of Corbett Tiger Reserve's crucial staff is in complete violation of an advisory issued by the Central National Tiger Conservation Authority last week, sources said.The NTCA advisory said that a status quo should be maintained during the monsoon — the period when tigers are most prone to poaching. However, the state Government seemed to be in a hurry while issuing the transfer order to the seven officials — Park Director Rajiv Bhartari, Deputy Director Parag Madhukar Dhakate, Kalagarh Divisional Forest Officer G Sonar, and Range Officers of Dhikala, Kalagarh, Palain and Adnala. The range officer of Sarabduli was, however, abruptly retained after being given his transfer orders.“We had prior knowledge about the transfers and sent an advisory to the state Government six or seven days back advising that no transfers should be done during this season,” said NTCA Member Secretary Rajesh Gopal. “I wrote to the Principal Secretary asking him to reconsider the decision.” As part of Operation Monsoon, the Government of India allocates special funds for patrolling in tiger reserves. Camps are set up and frequency of flying squads increased during the season when poachers are most active. In this year’s Budget, Finance Minister P Chidambaram had announced a special one-time grant of Rs 50 crore to constitute a Tiger Protection Force.While Park Directors have also recently been transferred from Kanha, Pench, Satpura and Panna, the transfer of the seven officials at one go was unprecedented, added NTCA sources. “Transfer of so many officers does not help the cause of the tiger. We are waiting for the official response from the state Government to our advisory and are in correspondence with them,” said Gopal.Meanwhile, the Government reiterated that the transfers were “routine” and the Forest Minister praised the officers for their “good work”. “This is routine Government matter. The officers were transferred due to seniority,” said Uttarakhand Forest Minister Bansi Dhar Bhagat. “The tigers will not be affected. The other officers brought in are from local areas and if they cannot perform the matter would be investigated. I am aware that the Director and the Deputy Director were good officers. They will now be in good posts in other departments,” Bhagat added.
