Free run for choppers in Satkosia tiger reserve?

New Delhi: Despite the twin instances of a low-flying chopper carrying a ruling BJD MP in Satkosia Tiger Reserve in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act having triggered a major controversy, the Odisha Government is yet to register a case against either the pilot or the owner of the helicopter. The violations took place in 2009 and 2010 and even forced the then Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh to intervene.
However, with no action being taken so far, the Wildlife Society of Odisha (WSO), member organiation of National Board for Wildlife, has recently written to the Director General Civil Aviation and PCCF Wildlife Odisha, for re-investigating the matter.
WSO secretary, Biswajit Mohanty, has threatened to take the issue to the court, alleging that a deliberate attempt is being made to shield the sitting Lok Sabha MP Baijayant Panda, who was flying in the helicopter.
However, the State Government despite intervention by the then Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for a proper investigation into the matter has not taken any cognizance in this regard.
31/01/12 Moushumi Basu/The Pioneer

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Jan 2012