Kolkata, July 27 -- The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has flagged major shortcomings in wildlife conservation and management in West Bengal, with only 10 of the state's 19 Protected Areas having approved Management Plans, severe shortages of frontline staff and just four of 225 wildlife cases resulting in conviction or disposal during the audit period.
The findings are part of a performance audit of the Forest Department's efforts in wildlife protection, mitigation of human-wildlife conflict and curbing illegal trade in wildlife articles during 2017-22.
The audit found that as of May 2022, the remaining nine Protected Areas had been without approved Management Plans for periods ranging from one to seven years.
The CAG al...