Nagpur: The state government on Tuesday reduced the importance of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) by downgrading the field director’s post to conservator of forest (CF) rank from the present chief conservator (CCF).
In a major reshuffle, 28 officials were shifted while two CCFs Virendra Tiwari (Mantralaya) and HS Hooda (protection) were promoted as APCCFs. The post at Mantralaya was upgraded to accommodate Tiwari.
Tadoba FD Mukul Trivedi has been given a side posting at Nagpur. NR Pravin, CF (wildlife) Nashik, replaces Trivedi.
Interestingly, Trivedi had taken resort owners head-on by imposing restrictions and curbed VIP movement and illegal entry of tourists in the park. He also exposed fake booking racket operated by tour and resort owners. The resort lobby had even met forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and had complained about the drop in tourism. Though, the data proved otherwise.
Trivedi had joined TATR on July 4, 2017 and has been shifted in 13 months. Along with him, deputy director (core) Kishor Mankar, who was yet to complete the tenure, has also been shifted. DyCF at Dahanu NS Ladkat will replace Mankar, who has been posted at Nagpur.
Trivedi’s transfer comes even as a PIL is being heard in the high court. The court too has passed strictures against the wildlife wing and has asked to frame fresh rules to check excessive tourism.
Top sources said, “As there are no officials to be promoted as CCFs till January, 2019, we have to continue by downgrading CCFs posts to CFs. In Pench too, we did the same thing.”
CCF of Chandrapur VS Shelke has been shifted to Nashik in place of SV Ramarao, who will replace Shelke. TATR deputy director (buffer) GP Narwane too has been shifted to Central Chanda. He will be replaced by Gajendra Hire.
Nagpur DyCF G Mallikarjuna has also been shifted to working plan in Nashik. He will be replaced by Prabhunath Shukla, who was DyCF in Kolhapur. Besides, Pradeep Kumar, who was secretary with MPSC on deputation, has been posted at FDCM as CGM.
