<p>Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife) B J Hosmath on Wednesday said that over 60% of frontline posts in the department are lying vacant.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of a 24-unit forest quarters in Malleswaram on Wednesday, Hosmath said that it was difficult for the department to tackle forest fires efficiently in the absence of adequate staff.<br /><br />He said that though new recruits must mandatorily spend at least five years in tiger reserves, soon after this term, the staffers start seeking transfers out of forests. <br /><br />At least Rs 500 crore is required to set up group housing and other facilities around reserves so that the staff and their families stay and continue to work there.<br /><br />Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Ramanath Rai said the Bandipur forest fire in which over 750 acres were gutted, was an “eye opener.” There is a need for serious thought about the conditions under which the forest staff live and work. <br /><br />“The forest watchers submitted me a memorandum on Tuesday when I visited BTR, demanding that their remuneration be on a par with that of police personnel. They also demanded that their beats be covered with sufficient staff. We will ensure that all their demands are met,” he said. <br /><br />The minister added that over 2,000 personnel were being hired across all levels. The department is also planning to hold a workshop on dealing with forest fires. On the occasion, tributes were paid to forest guard Murigeppa Thammagol (32) who died in the forest fire at Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Rai announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the family of Thammagol.<br /><br /> He also announced that a government job will be given to Thammagol’s wife. The Karnataka State Forest Industries Corporation Limited too announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh. <br /><br />The minister maintained that the decision of declaring Kappatagudda a conservation reserve was a very sensitive topic (just like declaring Kudremukh a tiger reserve). He said that over 2,000 families will have to be shifted out of the forest patch once the status changes, from the existing reserve forest. Presently, it is a reserve forest and the protection is the same, he asserted.<br /><br /></p>
<p>Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife) B J Hosmath on Wednesday said that over 60% of frontline posts in the department are lying vacant.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of a 24-unit forest quarters in Malleswaram on Wednesday, Hosmath said that it was difficult for the department to tackle forest fires efficiently in the absence of adequate staff.<br /><br />He said that though new recruits must mandatorily spend at least five years in tiger reserves, soon after this term, the staffers start seeking transfers out of forests. <br /><br />At least Rs 500 crore is required to set up group housing and other facilities around reserves so that the staff and their families stay and continue to work there.<br /><br />Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Ramanath Rai said the Bandipur forest fire in which over 750 acres were gutted, was an “eye opener.” There is a need for serious thought about the conditions under which the forest staff live and work. <br /><br />“The forest watchers submitted me a memorandum on Tuesday when I visited BTR, demanding that their remuneration be on a par with that of police personnel. They also demanded that their beats be covered with sufficient staff. We will ensure that all their demands are met,” he said. <br /><br />The minister added that over 2,000 personnel were being hired across all levels. The department is also planning to hold a workshop on dealing with forest fires. On the occasion, tributes were paid to forest guard Murigeppa Thammagol (32) who died in the forest fire at Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Rai announced a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the family of Thammagol.<br /><br /> He also announced that a government job will be given to Thammagol’s wife. The Karnataka State Forest Industries Corporation Limited too announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh. <br /><br />The minister maintained that the decision of declaring Kappatagudda a conservation reserve was a very sensitive topic (just like declaring Kudremukh a tiger reserve). He said that over 2,000 families will have to be shifted out of the forest patch once the status changes, from the existing reserve forest. Presently, it is a reserve forest and the protection is the same, he asserted.<br /><br /></p>
