Uttarakhand Chief Wildlife Warden Faces Action for Alleged Unauthorised Elephant Exchange

A former chief wildlife warden in Uttarakhand is under scrutiny for allegedly exchanging elephants without proper permission. The investigation follows a recent rule change requiring central government approval for such actions.

Officials have reported that Parag Madhukar Dhakate, a former chief wildlife warden (CWW) of Uttarakhand, is facing scrutiny for allegedly exchanging four elephant calves from the Corbett Tiger Reserve with four adult tuskers from a Gujarat resident. This exchange reportedly occurred without the necessary central government approval.

Uttarakhand Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal criticised Dhakate's decision to proceed without informing central authorities, calling it a significant oversight. Attempts to contact Dhakate for his perspective were unsuccessful. However, sources suggest that he believes the authority to exchange domesticated elephants rests with the chief wildlife warden.

Exchange Rules and Investigation

In 2024, rules were established by the forest ministry requiring central government permission for the exchange and transport of domesticated elephants. However, in 2022, when this exchange took place, such permission was not mandated by existing regulations. Sources argue that the swap adhered to the norms of that time.

The forest department has conducted an investigation into this alleged illegal exchange. A report has been submitted to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has forwarded it to the chief secretary for further action.

Details of the Exchange

On February 8, 2022, Dhakate approved Mahant Jagdish Das of Radha Krishna Temple in Jamnagar, Gujarat, to take four elephant calves without waiting for central government approval. A letter purportedly written by Dhakate granted Das permission to transport these male elephant calves.

Although Dhakate sought approval for this transfer, he did not wait for a response from the Centre, which eventually denied the request. The transport permit issued by Dhakate specified that Mahant Jagdish Das would inform the Gujarat CWW about their status and ensure their safety during transit.

Unclear Motives

The urgency behind Dhakate's decision to proceed with the elephant exchange remains unclear. Elephants are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, with both central and state governments sharing responsibility for their protection.

The situation highlights complexities in wildlife management and regulatory compliance. It underscores the importance of adhering to established protocols to ensure wildlife conservation efforts are not compromised.

With inputs from PTI