Transfer norms flouted, claim forest officials

In his letter, dated June 16, Patel noted that the earlier list, recommending the transfer of 324 RFOs had proposed large-scale premature transfers. The letter also stated that “no premature transfers shall be done without the Chief Minister’s permission”.

However, the Forest Department officials express concern over the manner in which the RFOs’ transfers are being conducted. A senior official in the Forest Department told ENS that previously the transfers of RFOs were done at circlelevel, headed by conservators of forest. The transfers were based on the recommendations made by the deputy conservator of forest of the circle.

“Now the transfer list is being prepared by politicians and would be sent to Aranya Bhavan for the consent of principal chief conservator of forests, resulting in large-scale `bidding’ for the prime posting. Even the chief minister has gone on record in the Assembly stating that he was aware of money changing hands during the transfers,” he noted.

The Forest Department officials feel that the protection would suffer in the current style of transfers. “Most of our RFOs are camping in the city for over a month to get their desired posting. This will leave the sensitive areas without any protection and poachers and smugglers would have a free run in forests,” noted a forest official. “Most of the RFOs are seeking posting, where large-scale foreign funds are being pumped in for afforestation programmes. OECF is pumping in Rs 500 crore for afforesting easternrange and ODA also has many projects. RFO post plays an important role in forest conservation and such a development in the department will be hindrance for conservation,” he noted.

“It is time for the Government to classify the ranges as hyper-sensitive, sensitive and average ranges, based on the topography. The politicians should stop meddling in the transfers of officers,” he added.