Audit Uncovers Financial Irregularities at Kerala’s Periyar Tiger Reserve

Swift Summary:

• Financial irregularities at Periyar Tiger reserve (PTR), Thekkady: A State Finance Inspection report exposed malpractices, including the diversion of tourism income into a “Park Welfare fund” without required government approval as its inception in 2004.
• Key findings:

– No government order approving the formation of the “Park Welfare Fund.”
– Diversion and misuse of funds for purchases and activities with no clear rules or audit trails.
– ₹4.85 crore disbursed as advances, with delays in settlement violating Kerala Financial code. Penal interest is recommended on unsettled advances.
– Instances of piecemeal purchasing to bypass tender requirements were identified.
– Projects like solar fencing lacked technical consultation, raising cost-effectiveness concerns.

• Inspection’s origin: Initiated by Kerala Forests Minister A.K. Saseendran based on complaints from NGEA in February 2024.
• Recommendations by State Finance Inspection wing: Immediate verification, proper audits, action against rule violations, and depositing a share of incomes into the government treasury.
• Current stance: PTR East deputy director P.U. Saju stated that the department has not received or finalized details from this report yet.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The financial mismanagement reported at PTR highlights systemic lapses in governance within ecotourism management frameworks. The establishment and operation of an unauthorised welfare fund for two decades reflect concerning oversight gaps by forest authorities while undermining accountability mechanisms basic to public resource management.

If validated through further auditing measures suggested in the report-such as penalizing officers responsible for outstanding settlements-this case will likely hold key implications for streamlining fund governance across wildlife reserves statewide. Ensuring adherence to procurement rules and consulting experts during critical projects must become standard practices to maximize financial efficacy while maintaining sustainability goals central to protected areas.

given its meaning as both an ecological asset and tourist destination, addressing these issues promptly at PTR would advance broader confidence not just among governmental stakeholders but also private collaborators looking toward credible models for eco-conservation-linked income-generation initiatives within India’s rich network of reserved forests.

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