137-year-old Nilgiris Wildlife and Environment Association under Madras High Court scanner

The court has directed the state authorities to check the antecedents of new members appointed by the 137-year old Nilgiris Wildlife and Environment Association (NWEA) and submit a report to the court on September 10.

In an affidavit, L. Seetharaman submitted that people with vested interests and those with criminal background had become executive committee members of the prestigious NWEA for which the district collector was the head. The petitioner also pleaded that those with criminal antecedents and if also associated with the NWEA, should not be permitted into the protected forests of the district.

Justice N. Kirubakaran had directed authorities to look into the background of the office-bearers and executive members of NWEA. The court, which had also directed the local police to file an FIR against one of the executive members, observed that the report filed by the police investigation officer was not satisfactory and directed the association to produce all records with regard to the case during the next hearing. “All is not well with the association started in 1877 by the British. The issue has now turned ugly resulting in writ petitions against the association that once enjoyed highest credentials in conservation. In 2005, the NGO received the Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation award”, said an advocate appearing for the state forest department. The issue is now pending before the court. The court had passed interim orders aimed at cleansing the administration of the century old association.