Forest authorities set up committee to curb wildlife crime

A circular issued on October 6 says that a meeting was conducted under the chairmanship of Clement Ben, additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), and detailed discussion was carried out about Wildlife crime recently reported around the city

Mumbai: After recent incidents of a baby crocodile found in Dadar swimming pool from an illegal zoo last week and a pet albino python falling off from a Byculla building, the chief conservator of wildlife Thane, Pradeepa A, has constituted a committee for monitoring and coordination of wildlife crime.

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A circular issued on October 6 says that a meeting was conducted under the chairmanship of Clement Ben, additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), and detailed discussion was carried out about Wildlife crime recently reported around the city.

The committee will consist of a divisional forest officer, vigilance inspector, wildlife crime control bureau Mumba, range forest officer (RFO) Mumbai, RFO of protection and encroachment, Thane, RFO Wildlife Mumbai, Thane Wildlife Division, and RFO from Bhalivali in Dahanu and wildlife wardens of Thane, Mumbai and Palghar districts.

The circular states that the committee should meet at least once a month to have better monitoring and coordination in controlling wildlife crime. The committee will gather information from various sources about wildlife crime including wildlife trade and illegal possession and will decide a course of action. The committee will also help to curb wildlife crime.