towards project snow leopard - Nature Conservation Foundation

Towards Project Snow Leopard • 57
not possible to send guards along with the team.
2.1.4. Lack of sufficient staff: The is a scarcity of field staff in the high altitudes, an area
that actually requires more staff per unit area to monitor and carry out the regular
management activities due to the difficult terrain and climate. For example, there are
merely 12 forest guards for the 1780 km 2 in even the premier Kanchendzonga NP
2.1.5. Lack of physically fit staff to be posted at high altitudes: The high altitudes need motivated
and physically fit staff. Staff should preferably be young too. This is often not the case
and the few staff that are posted there are often unable to perform well.
2.1.6. Overlapping of territorial and wildlife circle as well as between JFMC and EDC
jurisdiction: On-ground demarcation of adjoining JFMC-EDC jurisdictions is
necessary in places like Yuksom, which is not so at present.
2.1.7. Posting policy: There is instability of tenure of field staff (frequent transfers). Wildlife
trained officers are often posted outside the wildlife circle that results in sub-optimal
use of their knowledge. Home postings are often sought after by the staff, but this
throws up many limitations in their ability to deal with offences by their own kin and
friends.
2.2. Financial Constraints
2.2.1. Lack of incentives and infrastructure for the staff & lack of facilities and equipment
to counter remoteness, inaccessibility, high altitude, snow cover, extreme climatic
condition: The regions are remote, with difficult working conditions. The problem
is exacerbated due to the general lack of proper infrastructure including adequate
housing, equipment and transport. As a result postings in the high altitudes are often
considered ‘punishment postings’ and the personnel lose interest in working there. A
related point is the lack of parity with police and army, such as free rations, 2 monthextra
salary, better clothing and shoes.
2.2.2. Lack of health, accident and life insurance: This is an essential facility for boosting
employee confidence and helping them and their families cope with any eventuality
in which the employee is disabled or dies on duty in the harsh environment.
2.2.3. Inadequate budgetary allocation to this sector from state plan budget: The allocations
are mostly low in the sector. As per the Forest Policy the department should get an
allocation of 15% of the state budget; however it is usually less than 1% at present.
• Annual State Plan outlay 2004-05: Rs. 875 lakhs
• Annual State Non Plan (recurring): Rs. 1191 lakhs
• Annual Central Assistance: Rs. 2000 lakhs
2.2.4. Complex Fund flow mechanism: Probably a more acute problem is the fund flow
mechanism; the funds that are sanctioned, reach the destination after a prolonged