Karnataka forest department still without wildlife vets, raises conservation concerns: Report
Bengaluru: More than a decade after Karnataka’s Forest Department first proposed appointing dedicated wildlife veterinarians, the department is still without any, hindering conservation efforts and wildlife health management.
Home to India’s largest elephant population and the second highest number of tigers, Karnataka lacks specialised doctors who play a crucial role in rescuing injured animals, monitoring wildlife health, and collecting forensic evidence in poaching and other wildlife crime cases, as reported by Deccan Herald.
The absence of wildlife vets was first flagged over ten years ago after a spate of elephants, gaurs, leopards, and sloth bears deaths.
In response, the Forest Department drafted a vision document outlining a two-phase plan. The first phase reportedly focused on building disease surveillance systems and training veterinarians in wildlife health and behaviour. The second phase aimed to train forest staff and existing veterinarians in conflict zones, along with developing forensic and legal capabilities.
However, little progress has been made since then. A senior forest official admitted that while coordination with the police in forensic investigations has improved, wildlife disease monitoring remains neglected.
“The interaction between cattle and wildlife is higher now compared to a decade ago. We are rescuing more animals from human habitats. Herbivores are sharing grazing spaces with domestic cattle, and spillovers are highly possible. There is no surveillance or monitoring to alert us,” DH quoted the official as saying.
At present, the Forest Department relies on just five veterinarians borrowed from the Animal Husbandry Department. Earlier proposals had recommended appointing 14 wildlife veterinarians, but officials now estimate that at least 25 to 30 are required to meet the growing demands.
Acknowledging the shortage, Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister Eshwar B. Khandre said that human-wildlife interactions are intensifying due to shrinking habitats, and specialised professionals are needed to manage wildlife conservation. “I will raise the matter during a meeting chaired by the chief minister. The government is also working to address the shortage of frontline staff,” DH quoted him as saying.
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Totally false: PM Modi on reports of govt planning to levy tax on foreign travel
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday dismissed reports that the government is considering levying a tax or a cess or a surcharge on foreign travel as "totally false".
The prime minister said this in response to a new report suggesting that the government is considering levying a tax or a cess or a surcharge on foreign travel but no final decision has been taken yet.
"This is totally false. Not an iota of truth in this. There is no question of putting such restrictions on foreign travel. We remain committed to improving 'Ease of Doing Business' and 'Ease of Living' for our people," Modi said in a post on X.
It is rare that the prime minister himself has denied a media report.
The report, quoting sources, claimed that the proposal to levy a cess or a tax or a surcharge on foreign travel is being discussed at the highest levels.
