Madikeri: The State Government has appointed Meriyanda Sanketh Poovaiah, a social worker from Kodagu district, as Member of the State Board of Wildlife (SBWL). The board plays a crucial role in advising the government on wildlife conservation and related issues.

SBWL is chaired by the Chief Minister with Forest Minister as Vice-Chairman. Sanketh Poovaiah will serve a three-year term, according to an order issued by the Under- Secretary to the Government.

The Board  is responsible for monitoring protected areas and scrutinising various projects proposed by public and private agencies to ensure that conservation is not compromised in the name of development.

The Board also includes three MLAs: Ashoka Pattana (Ramadurga), H.M. Ganesh Prasad (Gundlupet) and Puttanna (MLC, Bengaluru Central Teachers  Constituency).  Other members are: Dhruv M. Patil, son of Minister M.B. Patil, and Vaishali Kulkarni, daughter of former Minister Vinay Kulkarni.

Sanketh Poovaiah has been recognised for his efforts to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts and his commitment to the  conservation of wildlife and forest resources.

In a statement, he expressed his dedication to addressing human-wildlife conflict issues and mentioned plans to discuss effective measures to prevent such conflicts with the Chief Minister and other Board members, aiming to find sustainable solutions.