CHENNAI: Wildlife in the state can breathe easy, at least for about a month. When elections are normally held in the state, poachers invade protected sanctuaries, taking advantage of the absence of forest officials. But this time around, the state chief electoral officer has decided to exempt forest department staff and vehicles used in protected areas from election work.

The decision was taken after a representation from conservationists. While the state will be caught in the grip of election fever until May 16, wildlife in protected areas like national parks, sanctuaries and tiger reserves can live in peace.

On Wednesday, wildlife film-maker and conservationist Shekar Dattatri submitted a memorandum to state chief electoral officer Naresh Gupta seeking exemption for the forest staff from election duty. As wildlife was under serious threat because of poaching by organised gangs and as the forest department was facing a severe shortage of staff, Dattatri said that any diversion of staff or of vehicles used for patrolling would compromise wildlife security.

“Naresh Gupta was concerned and agreed with the need to protect wildlife and biodiversity. He has assured us that he would make an exemption for forest staff and vehicles, based on a 1998 order of the Election Commission,” Dattatri told TOI.  Aravind Kumar