Wildlife Management in Karnataka: A Forester’s Perspective

DIPAK SARMAH

Eyl 2019 · Notion Press

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The book traces the evolution of wildlife management in the state of Karnataka in India. It provides glimpses of how the concept of wildlife management grew as an offshoot of forest management and evolved into an overarching policy initiative. It presents a chronological account of the development of national wildlife policies, plans and strategies and their impact on the wildlife management in the states. The book highlights the events that unfolded as production-centric management gave way to wildlife-centric management in certain designated forest areas, known as Protected Areas. It outlines a significant aspect of wildlife conservation in the state—namely, the immense contribution of a ‘conservation-oriented forest management’ approach that the Forest Department has adopted since the 1980s for management of all types of forests in the state. The challenges faced by wildlife officers in handling matters related to man-animal conflict, rehabilitation of people from protected areas and forest protection with possible suggestions to resolve them are related. The need to take cautious steps in strengthening wildlife tourism and research is emphasized. The book also examines the relative merits of the forest laws and wildlife laws, and calls for wider application of the wildlife laws to protect the vanishing forests, especially in the eastern plains.

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Shri Dipak Sarmah, a retired Indian Forest Service (1977) Officer of the Karnataka cadre, started his career in the Western Ghats, serving in the region for more than a decade. He also served in the Government of India as Deputy Adviser, Planning Commission and as Deputy Inspector General of Forests, Forest Policy, MoEF (1991-1995). Later, he served in several positions in the Government of Karnataka including Conservator of Forests, Wildlife (North Circle), Secretary (Forest), PCCF (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, superannuating in December 2013 as PCCF (Head of Forest Force). Post retirement, Shri Sarmah assisted the Forest Department in preparing documents including Working Plans, Evaluation Reports, Cadre Review Report and Training Action Plan. He also assisted the Environmental Management and Policy Research Institute (EMPRI), Bangalore in compiling the State of Environment Report (SoER-2015) as Chief Editor. Shri Sarmah is the author of three books, namely, Status of Forests of Karnataka, Forestry in Karnataka – A Journey of 150 Years and Forests of Karnataka – A Panoramic View. In 2011, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India nominated him to the Monitoring Committee to supervise mining operations and sale of ore in Karnataka. He continues to serve as the chairman of the committee till date.