Following a plea seeking directions to strengthen the State’s Forest Department, the Delhi government, on Wednesday, informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that 242 additional posts were created recently to enhance the functioning of the department.
Delhi Chief Secretary Vijay Dev told a Bench headed by NGT chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel that the Lieutenant-Governor had already approved the posts and the process of recruitment is expected to begin soon.
Ground-level staff
“The forest department had said that they need more ground-level monitoring. So the posts are mostly for increasing ground-level staff, including rangers and security guards. Now, we have also authorised the forest department to conduct interviews as well. So issues pertaining to that will also be resolved,” said Mr. Dev.
During the hearing, the Bench also suggested that the total area which one guard is responsible for, be reduced so that there is better monitoring against encroachments.
“For one guard to look after an area with a 15 kilometre radius is not humanly possible...why not reduce the areas and make smaller divisions?” the Bench asked to which the Chief Secretary said that the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests can look into the matter.
While posting the matter next for November 19, the NGT directed authorities to furnish an updated status report to the tribunal.
