JAIPUR: Tiger monitoring has literally crumbled in the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR). With one forest staff deployed to monitor two tigers in an approximately 30 square kilometre area, the protection of tigers has become an uphill task. As per the data, Ranthambore which has 52 tigers and 14 cubs is grappling with acute shortage of vacancy with 70 posts yet to be filled.
A source said, “There are 53 forest guards against the sanctioned posts of 123 forest guards. Out of this, 20 staff are deployed for work including tourism, rehabilitation and rescue. Moreover, the 14 women forest guard can be deployed in inside chowkis of forest for monitoring. Technically, one forest guard is keeping a vigil on two tigers.”
After the poaching debacle in the state tiger reserves, the standing committee on wildlife recommended two guards on every forest beat. “In an ideal situation, Ranthambore requires a staff of 250. There are 102 beats at the reserve and as per text book rule; there should be 204 beat guards and 50 additional staff for other works. The present is far too less.”A forest guard deployed on two posts said, “My duty is to alternatively patrol the area falling under two posts. The task is to monitor tigers and simultaneously prevent grazing and mining in the reserve which is challenging.”
A senior forest official said vacancies for forest guards who are essential for wildlife conservation, grassland management and rigorous protection from poaching and illegal tree-fellers are lying vacant. “The proposal has been sent to the subordinate service board and state government should consider the recruitment at the earliest,”said a source.
The tiger reserves are just not home to big cats but also to rich bio-diversity and a considerable wildlife population, including big predators like leopards and faunas which need conservation and protection from wildlife smugglers. Green activist Tapeshwar Singh, said, “Till the time staff is recruited, the department should seek participation of locals and villagers to conserve the forest and tigers. The hiring should be done on continuous basis and procedure should be simplified.”
A source said, “There are 53 forest guards against the sanctioned posts of 123 forest guards. Out of this, 20 staff are deployed for work including tourism, rehabilitation and rescue. Moreover, the 14 women forest guard can be deployed in inside chowkis of forest for monitoring. Technically, one forest guard is keeping a vigil on two tigers.”
After the poaching debacle in the state tiger reserves, the standing committee on wildlife recommended two guards on every forest beat. “In an ideal situation, Ranthambore requires a staff of 250. There are 102 beats at the reserve and as per text book rule; there should be 204 beat guards and 50 additional staff for other works. The present is far too less.”A forest guard deployed on two posts said, “My duty is to alternatively patrol the area falling under two posts. The task is to monitor tigers and simultaneously prevent grazing and mining in the reserve which is challenging.”
A senior forest official said vacancies for forest guards who are essential for wildlife conservation, grassland management and rigorous protection from poaching and illegal tree-fellers are lying vacant. “The proposal has been sent to the subordinate service board and state government should consider the recruitment at the earliest,”said a source.
The tiger reserves are just not home to big cats but also to rich bio-diversity and a considerable wildlife population, including big predators like leopards and faunas which need conservation and protection from wildlife smugglers. Green activist Tapeshwar Singh, said, “Till the time staff is recruited, the department should seek participation of locals and villagers to conserve the forest and tigers. The hiring should be done on continuous basis and procedure should be simplified.”
