Bengaluru, Feb 6 (IANS): The Karnataka government has appointed a top mining honcho on the State Wildlife Board which was supposed to evaluate and clear mining proposals and implement wildlife projects.

Dinesh Kumar Singhi, chief executive and managing director of Bharat Mines & Minerals and also the chief executive of BMM Ispat, has been inducted in the state wildlife board.

The government notification informing the changes on the wildlife board was issued on January 18.

The duty of the board is to evaluate major projects such as dams, highways, mining and others in the vicinity of protected areas such as forests, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves and others.

Karnataka chief wildlife warden Sanjay Mohan said the appointments on the Wildlife board is the prerogative of the chief minister.

"These are honorary appointments, government can appoint anybody," told Mohan to IANS.

He said it is up to the state government to react to the media reports with whatever action it wants to take as the forest department has no role in Singhi's appointment.