30 yrs on, risk allowance for TN forest staff stagnates below ₹1K

STAFF of the Tamil Nadu forest department, from forest guards to forest range officers, who spend hours patrolling the forest to keep the region free from poaching, have been receiving only a meagre amount as monthly risk allowance for the past three decades. Following a series of miniscule hikes over the years, the allowance amount -- from ₹200 -- currently stands at just ₹800, staff members said.

- S SENTHIL KUMAR

Speaking to TNIE, department staff said they frequently risk their lives in their line of work. In July 2022, two Anti-Poaching Watchers were attacked by a sloth bear, resulting in the loss of vision for one of them. Furthermore, a 38-year-old forest guard was killed in a gaur attack at the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in July 2023. Such incidents and injuries are plenty and many go unreported, they said.