Four ranges in Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, spread across 26,910 hectares, are left without range officers to lead protection work, conservation and scheme implementation for two months now.
There are six ranges in the sanctuary - Varusanadu, Gandamanur, Chinnamanur, Cumbum East, Gudalur and Meghamalai. A special range for protection purpose alone lies near Cumbum range.
In May, officials from all six geography-based ranges were shifted out from their positions based on a report submitted by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department’s vigilance division, says a senior official. Range officers were recruited for Cumbum East from the Theni division and for Gandamanur from Madurai.
Since replacement officers for three ranges - Meghamalai, Gudalur and Varusanad - were not posted, the incumbent officers continued to function until the second week of July, the source said.
“Until last week, two range officers were taking additional charges of all the six ranges. Though the officers may be working to their optimal limit, they may not be able to focus on all the ranges they are in charge of,” he said.
Another source said that Varusanad and Gudalur ranges were prone to encroachments from resorts and villagers. “Deer meat trade is also rampant here. Unless we have full-time workers who invest their time and take interest, we may not be able to tackle wildlife-related issues,” he said.
‘Post good officers’
T.S. Raja, a conservationist, said there was a need to immediately appoint good officers, especially in the sensitive zones. “Last year, these ranges witnessed eight elephant deaths. Without proper vigilance, it may be hard to keep track of any criminal activities or natural animal deaths and tree felling,” he said.
Apart from senior-level range officers, data procured from an RTI filed by The Hindu , states that of the 21 forester posts, four are vacant and three officials are undergoing training.
There are many vacancies in the post of field-level forest guards and forest watchers. Of the 74 forest guard posts, 21 are vacant and 23 are in training. Of the 49 forest watcher’s posts, 32 lie vacant.
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest of Madurai Circle Subrat Mohapatra said that an examination was held for 158 ranger posts, selection were made and the recruits were posted to different ranges. “We are taking steps to address the situation,” he said.
