In conflict with nature of job?: Top Karnataka forest officials missing from conflict areas

While wildlife activists say presence of senior officials where it matters will help in faster mitigation of human-animal conflict, Forest Department top brass claims all 13 forest circles have adequate senior officials on the ground

Nearly three years after the Karnataka government issued orders for shifting the offices of senior Indian Forest Services (IFoS) officials to various district headquarters, they have not been implemented on the ground.

While wildlife activists say that the presence of senior officials where it matters will help in faster mitigation of human-animal conflict, the Forest Department top brass claims that all the 13 forest circles in the State have the required number of senior officials working on the ground.

In December 2022, the government, following an increase in elephant-human conflict in several parts of south Karnataka, issued orders to shift the offices of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCFs) and additional PCCFs to conflict areas for speedy decision-making and early mitigation. However, so far, none of the offices has been shifted.

In a letter, the then PCCF (head of the forest force-HOFF) had ordered to shift nine offices, including that of PCCF-Karnataka Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) to Madikeri, PCCF-Karnataka State Forest Industries Corporation (KSFIC) to Hubballi, APCCF-project elephant to Hassan, APPCF-national forestry action programme and bamboo mission to Dharwad, APCCF-land records to Shivamogga and others to Ballari, Chitradurga and Mysuru.

Wildlife activist Joseph Hoover says the presence of senior officials in conflict areas helps in taking decisions faster.

"Senior officials can sit together and discuss on measures to not only prevent conflict but also handle situations better. The lower-level officials, who are not experienced enough to handle human-animal conflict, need suggestions and support from higher-ups. Unfortunately, none of the senior officials visits the conflict areas unless the Minister instructs them," he says.

Joseph sought to know as to why the department has defied the government orders.

Recently, farmers of Chamarajanagar had taken Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre to task as senior officials did not visit the spot where a tiger killed two farmers.

Former PCCF (wildlife) Punati Sridhar, who retired before this order was issued, says this arrangement was difficult to manage.

'Being in Bengaluru for better coordination'  

"Each PCCF and APCCF manages exclusive sections of the department. Every month, they have 10-15 meetings. Travelling to Bengaluru for each meeting is not feasible or advisable. For better coordination between various sections of the department, the presence of senior IFS officers in one place is advisable," he says.

PCCF (HOFF) Meenakshi Negi says the situation in the department has changed over the years.

"With several senior officials retiring, multiple PCCFs and APCCFs are in charge of more than one post. The total cadre strength of IFoS officers in Karnataka is 164. However, currently, there are only 106 working. Between 2000 and 2009, recruitment for IFoS posts was limited. This has meant that not many eligible officials who should have been posted as APCCFs are there,” she says.

'They're on the field'

Negi adds that conservators of forests (senior officials) are present in all the 13 circles and they are on the field during conflict period.