Credit: DH File Photo
Bengaluru: At least half of the sanctioned posts of the frontline staff in the forest department are lying vacant, posing a serious challenge to manage forests and to implement conservation measures in the protected areas.
Forest watchers and guards put themselves on the frontline to protect forests and wildlife. From the regular beat patrolling to afforestation activities, fire control works to anti-poaching operations, their role is crucial in forest conservation.
Over the last 10 years, however, recruitment to fill the vacant positions has slowed down. Officials said the situation exacerbated after the Covid pandemic. For the year 2023-24, the government approved the recruitment of 540 posts of forest guards. However, sources said the number is too small to close the wide gaps.
“At least 60% of the 1,892 posts of forest watchers are lying vacant. The vacancy among guards is about 45% of sanctioned strength. Some posts were filled recently, thanks to the ongoing recruitment of 540 personnel. Even among the range forest officers, 26% of the 202 positions are lying vacant. As a result, we have given additional charge of RFO posts to the deputy RFOs. In some cases, it is near impossible to handle the workload. However, the promotion works as motivation for the employees to do better,” a senior officer said.
The vacancy is felt sharply during the forest fire season - between December and May. In areas prone to man-elephant conflict, the lack of personnel is a challenge everyday.
“Within the available resources, the department has set up task forces to tackle elephant and tiger conflicts. However, this is not sustainable in the long run. To address the challenges posed by climate change, we need to shift from damage control to ecological restoration works. That requires more people and resources,” an official said.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force) Meenakshi Negi acknowledged the vacancies.
“Recently, about 270 watchers have been filled. The recruitment of 540 personnel is in the final stages,” she said.
Sources in the government said the issue of internal reservation has emerged as a new constraint. “The minister’s recent advice to manage the situation with outsourced labourers shows that filling vacancies will take time,” the source said.