Forests in peril as staffers' strike continues

Forests in peril as staffers' strike continues

                                                                                     

THE. strike of foresters and forest guards emered 11th day on Thursday without any breakthrough in the impasse. The strike has opened the forest like a [reassure trove for smugglers and poachers. With no one to man illegal activities, security of wildlife and protection of forest wealth has become difficult.

All 360 forest employees including 258 foresters and 47 forest guards working under regular forest department and 11 foresters and 44 forest guards of wildlife department are on strike, demanding rise in salary. Their strike has put security of forest and wildlife at stake and reportedly taking advantage of the same Forest Mafias arc laying their hands on forest assists freely. it may be noted that since  years there has been no amendment in policy for increment of foresters and forest guards' salaries. The post of foresters and forest guards conies under Class III category and under Indian Forest Act but since 1962 they are getting salary meant tor Class IV employee. Inspite of repeated requests to concerned authorities nothing had been done so far. In absence of positive response lo [heir demand of slaray hike, all 360 foresters and forest guards in Gondia, most of them working underextre me conditions and in Naxal-hit areas, have joined a state-wide strike since August 25. On Wednesday. Forester R S Bhagat tonsured his head against the injustice and to protest government policies. The employees are demanding amended pay scale. Rs 10 lakh compensation for kin of the employee Who dies on duty, not 10 burden beat Guard with private works of higher-ups. allowances at par with police department, etc.

Meanwhile, taking advantage of the strike during this ten-day period there arc reports that forest mafia have become active in the abandoned forest areas and are carrying out illegal activities of tree felling and poaching freely. According to employees federation's central president Vijay Mehar the agitation will be intensified if their demands are not considered.

Regional President L S Bhute. Secretary P B Channe. R B Bramhane, S M Kalbandhe, R S Bhagai. V R Awasihi. S V Bhadane. L N Bansod. Gulab Pathan, Chaggan Gondane. R S Bramhankar, R M Nagpure, A G Mahule. Anand Meshram. R J Bhandarkar, Latif Pathan. S M Harde, S G Bundele. E C Kapse. S L Pandey. K S Bisen and others are laking part in the strike. 

Posted in: News 2014