CHANDRAPUR: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray wound up his two-day visit to Chandrapur on Thursday claiming that he had come here out of his love for wildlife and would play no politics over it. "I will gather more details on the issue. One cannot reach to a conclusion within a day. But, poaching of tigers could not be carried out without the help of locals. The information and the assistance extended by local villagers have facilitated the poachers to kill the tigers here," he said.
He held that he had seen what he had read about the problem related to forest and tigers, during his visit to Tadoba. Expressing concern over the poaching of tigers he said that tigers are not the issue of politics but matter of faith.
Thackeray had begun his tour on Wednesday and visited the spot where a tiger was poached near Gondmohadi. He went to Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and visited Jamni village which will be rehabilitated soon. "My love for animals is not new. I am concerned about them and hence I am here in Chandrapur even in 47 degrees Celsius. And I don't play politics in every issue," Thackeray said.
He also took a dig at political leaders for their apathy towards tiger deaths. "If they can call for countrywide bandh against hike in petrol price, then why can't they stage similar bandh for tigers? They are more interested in grabbing the land and have no concern for tigers," he charged. He held that many foreign countries are very sensitive about their wildlife and environment, where as in India there is little concern.
Thackeray agreed that lethargy on the part of forest department could be a reason for poaching. "Government has lost the sense of responsibility. A major part of funds is expended on urban development. The officers sent to such places for protection of tigers and forests are victims of transfer punishment. What could be expected from them? Department lacks the trained staff and officers are after their kitty in new recruitments," he said. Thackeray also criticized the department for not considering the views of the NGOs engaged in wildlife conservation.
He said that he understands the gravity of the issue and has faith in wildlife protection. "I shall come up with my move on this issue at appropriate time. At that time I will not speak, but act," Thackeray said. He interacted with different NGO activists and took details of tiger related problems, forest fires, pollution concerns etc.
