Kerala: Jumbo task forces turn dysfunctional

KOTTAYAM: The state-level task force and the district-level task forces constituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF), to look after the welfare of captive elephants in the state are currently dysfunctional. This is clear in the context of the death of captive elephants – 16 since the beginning of this year – in the state. The only meeting of the two bodies was convened in October 2015. This is despite the MOEF order specifically mentioning that the meeting of the two bodies should be convened frequently.  “The state-level task force has not convened a second meeting ever since it was constituted,” Dr Manilal Valliyatte, a representative from the Animal Welfare Board of India, who is a member of the state-level task force told DC. M.N. Jayachandran, member of the district-level task force in Idukki told DC that the body did not convene after the first meeting. The scenario in other districts is also similar.

The state-level task force was to monitor the functioning of reserve centers, the functioning of the elephant camps of the Kerala forest department, and exploring the possibility of additional elephant rehabilitation centers.  It was also meant to oversee the functioning of district-level task forces and issuing instructions to them from time to time. The district-level task forces were meant to conduct inspections and appraisals of captive elephants in the state to see that they were not overworked, to check the illegal interstate sale of elephants and a few other functions. The state-level task force comprises 9 members including the additional chief secretary, Forest and Wildlife as Chairman, and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, the Chief Wildlife Warden of the state as the Vice Chairman.  The Chairman of the district level task force is the Flying Squad DFO.