Kancheepuram: The Rs 7.13 crore wildlife research facility inaugurated by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswamy at Vandalur on October 13 still remains unused as the forest department has not recruited scientists and purchased high end equipments essential for a research station.
The centre, the brainchild of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa was mooted in 2011 and 2013, and government sanction Rs 27 crore for the project in 2013.
Only the building has been constructed; no productive work has been taken u till now.
The building is cleaned once a week and remains locked for most of the time. When chief secretary Girija Vaidyanthan asked about the functioning of the centre during its inaugural, forest department officials gave half baked information and said that they would draw expertise from the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.
The facility was to take up research work on endangered animals and their reproduction and the centre needs appointment of several technical posts like those of research fellows, scientists, biologists and veterinary assistant surgeons. Forest secretary Md Nasimuddin was not available for a comment.
Synopsis of order which is yet to be implemented
The Government after careful examination accept the proposal of the PCCF for establishment of Advanced Institute of Wildlife Conservation (Research, Training and Education) at Arignar Anna Zoological
Park, Vandalur and to sanction a sum of ' 27.13 crores (Rupees Twenty Seven crores and Thirteen lakhs only) (Non recurring) for the following components: Buildings including scientists transit hostel Rs 7.13 crore, . Centre for Reproductive Biology Rs 5.00 crore, Centre for Animal Care Sciences Rs 2.00 crore, Centre for Conservation Ecology Rs 2.00 crore, Centre for Conservation Education Rs 2.00 crore, Centre for Conservation and Evolutionary
Genetics Rs 2.00 crore, Centre for Migratory Birds (Point Calimere) Rs 2.00 crore, Centre for Species Survival Rs 2.00crore, Wildlife Forensic lab Rs 3.00 crore - Total Rs 27.13 crores (Nonrecurring).
