Delhi might have got its first principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) but the state forest department is facing paucity of staff in executing day-to-day activities.
Delhi might have got its first principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) but much remains to be done at the middle and lower-level in the state forest department which is facing paucity of staff in executing day-to-day activities.
"It is a tough task to meet the challenges to keep the city green, particularly maintain forests in view of inadequate staff-strength at almost all levels, including frontline personnel," newly appointed PCCF I H Khan, an IFS told PTI.
He said that of the 56 sanctioned strength for forest guards, only 46 were recruited to look after three forest divisions (North, South and West), with each division comprising three districts in the capital.
The official said that workload and responsibilities of frontline staff have increased due to the government's policy of establishing city forests which need protection.
"We are raising new forests on the face of adversity, whether it be climate change, urbanisation or pollution," he said and added that additional personnel were required for the task.
Despite four sanctioned posts of range forest officer, who is the backbone of the department with various supervisory roles, no recruitment has been done. Also no post of Forester has been sanctioned.
There are 12 deputy rangers and four deputy conservator of forests (DCF) for three divisions and Headquarter.
Khan said the administration work has also increased over the years due to rising public interest in the environment and consequent litigation, requiring more clerks, legal consultants and accountants.
"The existing staff are already hard pressed. We require new recruits besides immediately filling the vacant posts," Khan told PTI.
Though the official has sent a proposal to the government asking for additional staff, efforts are also being made to approach retired soldiers on temporary basis to execute the work.
For plantation purpose across the city, the Department has hired people from the Haryana Forest Development Corporation.
The government has decided to plant more than 12 lakh saplings during 2009-10 and set up eight more city forests during the current year for which vacant land at Garhi Mandu, Jagatpur, Ayanagar, Gadeipur, Rangpuri, Daurala, Malikpur and Ambrahi have been identified.
Nine city forests were set up during 2008-09 making it 18 in Delhi.
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