DEHRA DUN, SEPT 12: While IAS, IPS and PCS officers of Uttar Pradesh are showing no enthusiasm to come to the new state, there is a mad scramble among forest officials to get postings in the forest-rich Uttaranchal. However, they are meeting stiff opposition from the people's representatives and NGOs based in Uttaranchal.At a recent meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Ram Parkash Gupta, legislators and MPs from Uttaranchal region opposed adjustment of a large number of IFS officials in the new state. The matter also came up when officials of the Central and UP governments met to discuss the necessary infrastructure for Uttaranchal.Some officials opposed induction of such a large number of forest officials on the ground that it would impose an unnecessary fiscal burden on the state. However, the forest officials are believed to have pleaded that they would create more resources from the forests.The state of affairs is not very encouraging in the UP forests. Two days ago, activists from `Dhaar', a women's group, caught a tractor trailer full of illegally cut trees from the forests in Dehra Dun district. They took the tractor to the residence of the District Magistrate, Dehra Dun. When reportedly ignored, they dumped the wood there and left.After Uttaranchal's formation on November 1, Uttar Pradesh would be left with a mere 3.5 per cent of its forest area. As much as 67.07 per cent of the new state's total area will be under forest cover, which is twice the percentage required as the national goal.UP will also lose six out of its seven proposed national parks - Rajaji National park, Gangotri National Park, Nanda Devi Biosphere, Valley of Flowers and Gobind Pashu Vihar (all in Garhwal) and Corbett National Park (Kumaon). It will have just one - the Dudhwa National Park. Out of total 17 wildlife sanctuaries, five go to the new state.More than 50 IFS officials have been managing the forests in the area, and according to the Uttar Pradesh government, 106 IFS cadre officials would be posted in Uttaranchal. The move is being opposed tooth and nail.Dr Anil Prakash Joshi of the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO) involved in rural development work in Garhwal feels there is no need for an army of forest officials in the region. The people of the Himalayan region have a tradition of protecting their forests, he says, adding that instead of helping them protect forests, forest officials have alienated the villagers. In this regard, he points out that the people of Uttaranchal had launched the `Chipko' movement to protect forests in the past.According to Dr Joshi, experience also shows that the involvement of forest officials has had disastrous consequences on forests, parks and national sanctuaries. He rubbishes the forest officials' claim that it is due to them that the forest are safe in Uttaranchal.Awadesh Kaushal, convener of Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK), a voluntary group working among the Gujjar community living in forests, supports him. Kaushal says that even if a forest or wildlife official cuts trees or kills animals, it is called conservation. He says there is a greater need for forest officials in Uttar Pradesh where only 3.5 per cent of the forests are left. Instead of eyeing Uttaranchal, they should work harder in UP to grow forests. ``Their real worth would be on test there,'' he opines.
