Behind death of tigers, a demoralised frontline staff

Bengaluru: The tragic death of five tigers reported on Thursday has brought to the fore once again irregularities in payments to frontline staffers, who are the backbone of conservation work, with activists blaming the government for the demoralised labour force.

On Monday, about 50 staffers staged a protest in front of the office of the deputy conservator of forests, Malemahadeshwara Hills wildlife sanctuary over non-payment of wages for three months.

In the BRT Tiger Reserve, officials have issued notice to the R C Business Solutions for failing to deposit the EPF, ESI and other statutory benefits to 122 staffers.

The staffers -- forest watchers and guards -- are not employees of the department. They are outsourced labourers hired locally through private companies. The government invites bids for provision of labour services and provides service charge for the service provided by successful bidders.

A senior officer told DH that the contract for outsourcing the labour for MM Hills division expired in March. "The department had two options: invite bids one month prior to expiry or use a provision in the previous work order to extend the services for three months. It did neither.

"As a result, over 200 labourers were not paid for more than three months. The government released funds in April but still there was no payment. Hence, they resorted to protest," he said.

Documents accessed by DH show that the Assistant Conservator of Forest, Chamarajanagar Wildlife Division wrote to R C Business Solutions seeking an explanation as to why EPF, ESI and other instalments of 122 outsources staffers were not paid since September 2024.

The ACF also stated that Nanja, who worked in the anti-poaching camp of Arepalya, died on duty but the agency has not paid PF, ESI and other emoluments.

Karnataka Rashtra Samiti state secretary Ravikumar S said the government has failed the frontline staffers, which has affected the conservation. "The lack of payment has directly affected the conservation activities. The forest department is responsible for the death of tigers.

The police department has been seeking a small space to set up a checkpost in the MM Hills for keeping an eye on the poachers and other illegal activities though they routinely allow big ticket projects that require felling of thousands of trees," he said.

To a question, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre said strict directions have been issued to ensure timely payment to staffers. "I have not received any complaints about non payment. However, I will direct officials to blacklist any agency that has failed to comply with the rules," he said.