Wildlife Trust of India blacklisted by JK Govt over ‘spurious data’ in wildlife conservation plan

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has blacklisted a leading wildlife conservation NGO for allegedly using unreliable data while preparing a conservation plan for the Tatakuti Wildlife Sanctuary and two other reserves in the Union Territory, The Wire reported.

In an order dated April 29, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Chaturbhuja Behera said the Noida-based Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) adopted a “casual approach” in carrying out field surveys and collecting data for the project. The order stated that the report lacked scientific methodology and authentic field inputs, affecting its credibility.

The report, quoting the forest department, said WTI failed to complete the deliverables under a Rs 10.7 lakh contract awarded in 2022 for biodiversity assessment and preparation of conservation plans for Tatakuti Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kherra and Kullian conservation reserves in the Pir Panjal region.

The department alleged that despite repeated reminders and deadline extensions, the NGO failed to submit a satisfactory conservation plan for the habitat of the protected Astore markhor, a wild goat species found in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir.

The order directed that WTI be blacklisted from future work with the department and recommended recovery of the amount paid under the contract.

WTI has previously worked with the J&K government on Hangul conservation projects. The NGO had also come under scrutiny earlier after a video surfaced showing two men severing the head of a markhor inside Kazinag National Park in north Kashmir.

The forest department said WTI repeatedly submitted revised reports that lacked scientific orientation, fieldwork and authentic data. Officials also alleged that the organisation relied heavily on publicly available research papers instead of conducting independent studies and failed to disclose details of researchers involved in the project, The Wire reported

Following several review meetings and nearly three years of delay, the department terminated the project after concluding that the reports did not meet required standards.