‘Jumbo’ Kumble left in wilderness

For the first time ever in his life, ace cricketer Anil Kumble has been left clueless on the field. The former India captain, who is preparing for a hectic IPL season, has, however, not been set any agenda in his new capacity of vice-chairman of the state wildlife board.

The cricketer-wildlife enthusiast was appointed as the vice-chairman of the board on October 16 last. The chief minister is the chairman of the board. However, Jumbo, as the cricketer is called by his mate, has been literally left in wilderness since then.

“No meeting of the state wildlife board has been held till date. Everything depends on the chief minister,” Kumble said on Thursday.

Kumble’s post carries the rank of a minister of state, and he is entitled to a car and office, of which too there is no sign. But he has no regrets. “I am not upset about anything,” he told DNA.

In the past, Kumble lent his services to several wildlife conservation causes. “I was not part of the tiger census, and have been told by forest officials that they are looking for a suitable place for an office for me,” Kumble said on the sidelines of a two-day seminar on Western Ghats in the city.

Environment, forests and ecology department principal secretary Meera Saxena said that the wildlife board was an advisory body.

The vice-chairman would chair the meeting in the chairman’s absence. The last meeting was held in September 2009 and the next would be held soon, she said. The board is planning to allot an office to Kumble on the seventh floor of Visvesvaraya Tower.