The government on Tuesday promoted 127 foresters as RFOs and filled almost all the vacancies of RFOs in wildlife and territorial ranges. The orders reached the PCCF office in Nagpur on Wednesday. The government had notified Mansingdeo sanctuary on November 2, 2010.
However, even after a year, the sanctuary has not been taken over by the wildlife wing for want of staff. TOI has been continuously following up neglect of the sanctuary due to absence of wildlife management and barriers, making it free for all - although protection was being done by Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra (FDCM) and Nagpur forest division staff.
Praveen Pardeshi, principal secretary (forests), Maharashtra, had on November 7 promised that RFOs in the sanctuary would be posted before November 20. Pardeshi has kept his promise and the 3 RFOs who have been posted in the sanctuary include SN Deshpande (Saleghat), Madhav Pokle (Chorbahuli) and Sunil Hazare (Deolapar). ]
The Pench reserve has also earmarked a fund of Rs 50 lakh for various wildlife management works in Mansingdeo sanctuary.Pardeshi has directed the officials concerned to ensure immediate relieving of promoted foresters and their joining in the newly assigned duty stations. He has asked to submit compliance report to Mantralaya by November 28.Talking to TOI, Pardeshi said promoted officials not joining in 15 days will be denied promotion and will also face disciplinary action. He directed the respective chief conservators (CCFs) who receiving the newly promoted RFOs to suspend them if they are not joining their assigned ranges within 15 days of receipt of this order.When asked by what time can we expect work to start in the sanctuary, Pardeshi said they can join and start working. Read the full report here.
Source: Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN, Nagpur.
