Provide insurance cover to foot soldiers of elephant task force, say Karnataka forest dept officials

Forest watchers are hired on a temporary basis. Senior officers stated that foot soldiers of the task force risk their lives in mitigating man-animal conflict and hence they need to be covered with insurance.

“In Hassan, at least 32 forest watchers have been given the job of driving elephants on a daily wage basis. They are expected to work round the clock. Ever since the task force in Hassan was set up, no casualty has been reported. The task force is also working efficiently. Though three vehicles were given, no drivers were provided to drive the vehicles and so some of the watchers themselves drive these vehicles. We need to give them insurance cover so that they can work efficiently and god forbid, in case of an eventuality, they have something to rely upon,” said a senior official on the condition of anonymity.

In January this year, a 36-year-old forest watcher, Mahadeva Swamy was on patrol when he was killed by a wild tusker at Metikuppe in H D Kote taluk in Mysuru district. The incident occurred when Swamy, along with three other watchers, was chasing away a wild elephant inside the Nagarhole wildlife sanctuary.

Another senior officer posted in Bengaluru said, “It is indeed the need of the hour. The field staff and especially those employed with the task force should be provided with insurance cover. This will definitely boost their efficiency.”

The office of Principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife), Karnataka on June 21 had issued directions to the field officers of the forest department to provide insurance cover to visitors at the eco-tourism sites in protected areas across Karnataka.