BHOPAL: Cheetahs were not part of the Kuno management plan, stated a MP govt audit report, pointing out violation of rules and absence of certain documents related to expenditures on Project Cheetah.
Kuno was marked for the relocation of Gir lions and was designated as their secondary habitat, but there was no movement on that front, the report said.
Auditors sent a detailed report to state govt, outright rejecting some explanations given by the forest department. Copies of the initial audit findings were obtained through RTI by activist Ajay Dubey who has demanded a probe into the objections raised by financial investigators.
According to the approved management plan for Kuno National Park (2020-21 to 2029-30), the sanctuary was designated as a crucial secondary habitat for Asiatic lions – alongside Gir forest in Gujarat – auditors noted, pointing out that no efforts had been made towards reintroduction of lions as of Nov 2023. This lapse raises questions about adherence to the management plan and the overall effectiveness of conservation efforts, they said.
The auditors also noted the absence of reports from a three-member expert team appointed by Supreme Court on Jan 28, 2020. These reports were not found in the forest division’s records, preventing verification of the facts presented to SC, stated the audit report.
The expenditure of over Rs 44.1 crore on Project Cheetah from 2021-22 to 2023-24 did not align with the approved management plan, it said. “This discrepancy suggests misallocation of funds and raises concerns about the proper use of financial resources,” added Dubey.
The auditors found that the forest division failed to conduct physical verification of store materials for 2021-22 and 2022-23 fiscals, violating Rule 133 of MP Financial Code. The required certification for physical verification was missing, and stock accounts had not been prepared, which is a serious breach of regulations.
The audit also identified that geotagged photographs, which are required to document project work, were not maintained. This lack of documentation, combined with the expenditure of Rs 3,64,74,930 on pasture development and weed/latana eradication in 2020-21, 2022-23, and 2023-24, suggests a “faulty procedure and potential for wastage”.
In response, the forest division has pledged to address these issues by preparing the missing stock accounts and ensuring future compliance with documentation requirements. However, the auditors have recommended that the matter be brought to the attention of higher officials for further action.
