Officials make Rs 3 to 4 lakh per sale
Picture used for representational purpose. (Photo: DC/File)
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As per the Wildlife (Protection) Act an elephant can have only one legal owner in whose name the ownership certificate and data book are issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden.
However, in a recent case which was followed up by the Forest Department in Thrissur, the owner’s name in the certificate and data book were found to be different. Documents available with DC clearly indicate serious irregularities amounting to “illegal transfer”.
Though the probe report citing serious lapses was submitted to the forest headquarters a month ago, the higher ups are still sitting on the matter.
In the probe report submitted by Assistant Forest Conservator, SIP, in the ownership certificate issued by Chief Wildlife Warden -(WL5/7534/03/262/94/04) the owner of the elephant going by the name of “New Kerala Prasad” is one B.G.Inasu. But in the data book issued by the Chief Wildlife Warden, the name of the same elephant has been referred to as “Ootoli Prasad” and the owner is one U.P.Krishnan Kutty.
Even the micro chip implantation certificate No 694 – dated 17/05/08 signed by the Thrissur Divisional Forest Officer and Veterinary doctor Konni, micro chip number 00065966 CC, the owner of the elephant is B.G.Inasu.
( Source : dc )
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