50% of frontline staff posts lying vacant in Karnataka Forest Department
Threatening conservation efforts: Report
Bengaluru: A significant staffing shortfall in the Karnataka Forest Department has raised alarms over the state's ability to manage and conserve its protected areas.
According to a report by Deccan Herald published on Friday, at least 50% of the sanctioned posts for frontline staff in the department are currently vacant, creating serious challenges in safeguarding forests and wildlife.
Forest watchers and guards, responsible for regular beat patrols, afforestation activities, fire control, and anti-poaching operations, are vital to the success of conservation efforts. However, in the past decade, recruitment to fill these vacant posts has slowed substantially, exacerbating the strain on existing personnel.
The situation worsened following the Covid-19 pandemic, which further delayed the hiring process. In the year 2023-24, the government approved the recruitment of 540 forest guards. However, sources reportedly suggest this number is insufficient to bridge the significant staffing gap.
“At least 60% of the 1,892 posts of forest watchers are lying vacant. The vacancy among guards is about 45% of sanctioned strength. Some posts were filled recently, thanks to the ongoing recruitment of 540 personnel. Even among the range forest officers, 26% of the 202 positions are lying vacant. As a result, we have given additional charge of RFO posts to the deputy RFOs. In some cases, it is near impossible to handle the workload. However, the promotion works as motivation for the employees to do better,” DH quoted a senior officer as saying.
The staffing shortage is most acutely felt during the forest fire season, which runs from December to May, when the demand for personnel peaks. Areas prone to human-elephant conflict also face difficulties due to the lack of personnel.
“Within the available resources, the department has set up task forces to tackle elephant and tiger conflicts. However, this is not sustainable in the long run. To address the challenges posed by climate change, we need to shift from damage control to ecological restoration works. That requires more people and resources,” DH quoted an official as saying.
Meenakshi Negi, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, acknowledged the staff shortages, noting that the department has recently filled 270 watcher positions. She also confirmed that the recruitment process for the remaining 540 personnel is in its final stages.
However, sources within the government quoted by the news outlet have pointed to internal reservation issues as an additional hurdle in filling vacancies. “The minister’s recent advice to manage the situation with outsourced labourers shows that filling vacancies will take time,” the source said.
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Karnataka Health Dept bars leave for staff amid ASHA workers’ strike starting Aug 12
Bengaluru, Aug 11 (PTI): In response to a planned three-day strike by ASHA workers starting August 12, the Karnataka Health Department on Monday issued a notice prohibiting all officers and staff from taking leave during the protest period, except in cases of medical emergencies.
Accredited Social Health Activists workers are demanding the fixed honorarium of Rs 10,000 promised by the state government in January. They have announced a continuous state-level protest from August 12 to 14.
The notice stated, “Information about ASHA workers absent from duty within district limits will be collected daily from primary health centres, compiled at the district level, and submitted to the commissionerate by 3 pm during the protest.”
The Health Department also urged community health officers, primary health protection officers, health inspectors, and Anganwadi workers to cooperate in ensuring that health services to the public remain uninterrupted.
