Exempt wildlife staff from election duty: Talukdar

Wildlife staff should be exempted from election duty and infrastructure used for wildlife protection not be requisitioned for poll purpose, as poaching particularly of rhino was a matter of grave concern in Assam, a leading biodiversity organisation demanded today.
"State Election Commission should strictly follow Election Commission of India's directive exempting requisition of vehicles and staff in wildlife areas for election duties", Aaranyak's Secretary General Bibhab Talukdar told reporters here.
The EC had issued the directive on January 30, 1998 and had followed it up by issuing another letter on the issue to all Chief Secretaries and Chief Electoral Officers of the states in March 2001 to ensure implementation of its earlier directives, Talukdar pointed out.

He further urged all political parties and candidates to make their stand clear on wildlife and forest conservation in Assam.
"The candidates should highlight the steps they would initiate to ensure protection of rhinos and other species along with their habitats", he added.
He also urged the government to bring all rhino poaching cases in Assam under the fast track courts and settle cases related to rhino poaching within a year.
"The government should put more importance to nab poachers," he said.
He also expressed concerned over the non-release of approved funds for wildlife conservation in Assam by the state finance department and urged Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi to take personal initiative to get funds released on a monthly basis.