Kaziranga National Park accused of neglecting employees’ problems

GOLAGHAT, Dec 16 — The Kaziranga National Park authority is facing great troubles in the protection and preservation of flora and fauna of the world famous park. World renowned NGOs have recognised KNP as the most protected park, but sadly in the last 15 days or so at least five rhinos have been killed by the poachers and is therefore proved that the KNP authority totally failed to protect the one horned rhinos. It may be pertinent to say that only two or three forest guards have to guard – against the animals staying in the most dilapidated forest camps without security for their lives. On the other hand, the casual employees numbering 160 were appointed on a temporary basis. They are being paid thirty rupees only as daily wage system. It may be mentioned here that due to financial crunch of the State government, temporary employees were discharged in 1998. As a result of their absence the permanent forest employees have been facing great troubles. It is alleged by the employees who were appointed on a temporary basis that 42 employees had to file cases in the high court, against the KNP authority for their regularisation. The remaining employees have been serving in the KNP without getting salary. A total of 100 employees are involved in various activities, but they are still not paid any salary. The employees further alleged that the KNP authority is now paying them only Rs 300 which is quite insufficient for their living. The forest employees have ben frequently facing conflicts and fighting against the poachers. They have to look after the animals, elephant riders, involve in supplying food for the animals used for the tourists. Two months ago an employee of the KNP Katan Malakar was killed by the elephant used for tourists. But still the State government has failed to pay any compensation. Moreover, a forest guard Ronju Bora was injured seriously by a rhino who went with tourists for their security in the KNP. The injured forest guard was helped for treatment by the local people. The elephant riders are facing great financial troubles. The number of domesticated elephants is 28, but due to non availability of elephant riders, (mahut) the temporary forest employees have to bear the burden of supplying food for the elephants, riders, conduct the tourists in the KNP. The employees are not sufficiently provided with shoes, warm cloths, uniforms and rifles.

Those items have been purchased by the employees. The areas scale of pays also have not yet been paid to them since 1998. Recently the casual employees of the KNP decided to stop working if the authority concerned did not pay them their dues within a short time. If these casual employees stop their regular services, the KNP authority would have to face great problems and this would be taken advantage of by the poachers. Several forest employees vented their ire over the Forest Minister Pradyut Bordoloi who had assured them to solve all their problems but in practice no steps for their long standing demands have been taken till now. The Kaziranga Wild Life Society an NGO, the local people and the naturalists have appealed to the State government to regularise the services of the casual employees and to solve their long standing grievances so that the world famous KNP might be protected.