Jairam Ramesh Warns CMs Over Forest Guard Shortage
Author:
First published in Sanctuary Asia,
Vol. 30
No. 5,
May 2010
Since environment and forest are state subjects, Ramesh was careful in blasting them. He urged them to fill the vacancies so that poaching and smuggling could be significantly reduced, if not eliminated.
He did not mince words in saying that the grant of Rs5000-crore provided by the 13th Finance Commission should be used by the states for providing infrastructure and support to the frontline staff.
In a detailed letter sent to chief ministers of states that are lagging behind in recruitment of staff despite availability of funds, Ramesh said criminals were enjoying a free run in tiger reserves and national parks because of this attitude.
“Shockingly, there is a shortage of over 17% personnel in the states and most of the present staff is over-aged," he added.
Read the full report here.
