Cuttack: The Wildlife Society of Orissa has expressed concern over the gross violation of rules in appointing wildlife wardens in the districts of the state.

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, provides for the appointment of persons from the general public as honorary wildlife wardens, who are interested in wildlife conservation and can assist the government in protecting wildlife and gathering the much-needed information to control poaching. They play a key role in gathering information about wildlife crime and assist the department in carrying out raids and seizures.

But, society secretary Biswajit Mohanty, in a memorandum to the forest and environment department's additional chief secretary, expected the state government to follow the prescribed rules and laid down procedures to appoint suitable and eligible persons to the post.

"As the term of the last lot appointed has expired, new appointments shall be made shortly. We think there is a fresh opportunity to prevent repetition of earlier irregularities and follies," Mohanty urged in his memorandum on June 26.

According to the society, the state government had appointed many honorary wildlife wardens though their names were not recommended by the chief wildlife warden. "This is serious violation of procedure and guidelines and smacks of arbitrariness and undue influence. There appears to be political influence in the process which should not be encouraged," the secretary said in his memorandum.

The wildlife body urged the state government to encourage the general public to contribute to wildlife conservation instead of appointing the retired government employees. It expected the state government to seek review and assessment of contribution of each honorary wildlife warden instead of making automatic renewals for the appointments.

It also sought orders to ensure that large districts and areas with high risk to wildlife (Rayagada, Mayurbhanj, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Ganjam, Keonjhar, Kalahandi and so on) had more than one honorary wildlife warden and they reside at various places in the district.

However, top official sources in the forest department said the chief wildlife warden had formed a four-member committee of senior officers to verify the names of candidates recommended for the honorary wildlife wardens' posts.