Under fire over tiger deaths, Karnataka Forest Dept clears pending payments of 250 MM Hills staffers

Bengaluru: Pending payments of three months of staffers were cleared in the aftermath of the death of the five tigers in the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary as the Forest Department came under fire over the last three days.

The tigers were poisoned and were lying dead for about three days just 871 metres away from the anti-poaching camp (APC). They were found dead on June 26.

According to sources, the staffers in the APC had left as they had not received any payment for the past three months since March. "Their role is crucial in taking the locals into confidence, addressing complaints of wildlife incursions into human habitats and ensuring animosity towards wildlife doesn't build up in border villages," an officer said.

DH had reported that the staffers -- the watchers and guards outsourced through a private agency -- in the division were demoralised due to delay in payment. After approaching the department authorities several times, they had also staged a protest a few days before the tragedy. As the death of tigers put the department into the spotlight, officials cleared the pending payments of about 250 staffers over the last two days.

To a question, Chief Conservator of Forests, Chamarajanagar Circle, T Heeralal told DH that the pending payments of all the staffers were cleared. "We have made the payments till May. The payments for the month of June will be credited next week," he said.

Deputy Conservator of Forest of MM Hills Division Y Chakrapani could not be reached for further details.