The secretary of the Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation Authority based in Pilibhit, Dr Amitabh Agnihotri, has written to Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) field director P P Singh, requesting the immediate release of stipends that have been pending for seven tiger trackers for the past 13 months.
Background of the Issue
According to divisional forest officer Bharat Kumar DK, the forest department had hired seven tiger trackers on a monthly stipend of Rs 9,000 each. However, they have not received their stipends since March last year because no funds were allocated under the Tiger Conservation Plan for them.
Critical Role of Trackers
The DFO highlighted the importance of these trackers, stating: "These trackers have received specialised training and perform crucial duties. They track stray tigers in rural areas by following pugmarks, assist wildlife rescue teams in placing cages and live bait, rescue snakes and crocodiles, especially during the monsoon, and play a key role in mitigating human-animal conflict in villages around the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve."
Urgent Appeal from Authority
In his letter, Dr Agnihotri said the delay had adversely affected frontline wildlife workers and urged authorities to clear the dues at the earliest. He also sought logistical support for the Forest and Wildlife Division, including rescue vehicles, tranquillising guns, and cages for capturing stray wild animals.
Need for Enhanced Resources
Agnihotri emphasised that the demand for resources was particularly important at a time when tigers were increasingly straying into agricultural fields due to rising numbers and pressure on the reserve. He requested at least eight fully equipped rescue vehicles to reduce response time and help ensure timely intervention before conflict situations developed between humans and wild animals.
Keshav Agarwal, a journalist with The Times of India since June 1, 2014, currently posted in Pilibhit, covers forest and wildlife, environment, water resources, agriculture, and the sugar and ethanol industries, along with other topics including health, education, development, and crime.
