69 posts implementing FRA get extension

NAGPUR: At a time when over 500 posts of forest guards and foresters are lying vacant in the forest department, the state government has granted extension to 69 posts of managers to implement Forest Rights Act, 2006.

These managers will be involved in distribution of forests under community forest and individual rights under FRA. Till now over 9,000 sqkm area of forests has gone under FRA in the state.

The extension to 69 managers will put an additional burden of Rs1.28 crore on state exchequer. The tenure of these managers ended on June 30, 2017. Now they have been granted extension till March 31, 2018.

In 2012, the government had appointed 69 managers in 16 districts. This included 9 district managers and 55 managers for 55 talukas. Besides, under tribal commissioner office two mangers were posted in Nashik, and one each in Nagpur, Thane and Amravati.

"The seriousness with which the state government is implementing community forest rights (CFRs), it should also take action against encroachers on forest land under the garb of getting permanent pattas and rights. More area than total area for wildlife parks in the state have gone under FRA," said Gadchiroli district honorary wildlife warden Uday Patel.