Cheetahs were not part of Kuno plan, key papers missing: MP audit report | India News – Times of India

BHOPAL: Cheetahs weren’t a part of the Kuno administration plan, acknowledged a MP govt audit report, mentioning violation of guidelines and absence of sure paperwork associated to expenditures on Challenge Cheetah.
Kuno was marked for the relocation of Gir lions and was designated as their secondary habitat, however there was no motion on that entrance, the report stated.
Auditors despatched an in depth report back to state govt, outright rejecting some explanations given by the forest division. Copies of the preliminary audit findings have been obtained by means of RTI by activist Ajay Dubey who has demanded a probe into the objections raised by monetary investigators.
In accordance with the accepted administration plan for Kuno Nationwide Park (2020-21 to 2029-30), the sanctuary was designated as an important secondary habitat for Asiatic lions – alongside Gir forest in Gujarat – auditors famous, mentioning that no efforts had been made in the direction of reintroduction of lions as of Nov 2023. This lapse raises questions on adherence to the administration plan and the general effectiveness of conservation efforts, they stated.
The auditors additionally famous the absence of studies from a three-member professional group appointed by Supreme Court on Jan 28, 2020. These studies weren’t discovered within the forest division’s data, stopping verification of the details offered to SC, acknowledged the audit report.
The expenditure of over Rs 44.1 crore on Challenge Cheetah from 2021-22 to 2023-24 didn’t align with the accepted administration plan, it stated. “This discrepancy suggests misallocation of funds and raises issues in regards to the correct use of monetary sources,” added Dubey.
The auditors discovered that the forest division didn’t conduct bodily verification of retailer supplies for 2021-22 and 2022-23 fiscals, violating Rule 133 of MP Monetary Code. The required certification for bodily verification was lacking, and inventory accounts had not been ready, which is a critical breach of laws.
The audit additionally recognized that geotagged pictures, that are required to doc venture work, weren’t maintained. This lack of documentation, mixed with the expenditure of Rs 3,64,74,930 on pasture growth and weed/latana eradication in 2020-21, 2022-23, and 2023-24, suggests a “defective process and potential for wastage”.
In response, the forest division has pledged to handle these points by making ready the lacking inventory accounts and making certain future compliance with documentation necessities. Nonetheless, the auditors have really helpful that the matter be delivered to the eye of upper officers for additional motion.