Palamu Tiger Reserve has become ‘pauper’ since this financial year and running without any grant. DFO Core of the PTR Anil Kumar Mishra on said on Monday that the State Government has not given extension to its two divisions, core and buffer. Every year the State Government grants an year’s extension.
“The process takes a lot of time. And so long the extension is on hold by the state government PTR sinks and sinks for fund. We are not in position to spend a penny at present,” he said with a tinge of anger mixed with huge frustration. This PTR was notified in 1973 and its two divisions are given temporary extensions every year. The practice often leaves it in the want of funds.
“Without extension of its two divisions no scheme can be executed. Schemes like that of eco-development, micro lanning in villages border pillaring in PTR are put on the back burner,” added the DFO Core. Extension is no issue with other forest divisions.
Mishra said, “Higher officials want 24x7 vigil in the tiger reserve by its personnel but the fact is trekkers engaged in the PTR are going sans their wages over the last six months. Do you think these people will have any zeal for duty when their families are so gasping for moneyIJ The extension is granted as late as September and prior to that hundreds of queries are made every year like number of sanctioned posts, pay scale etc which further consume time,” he added.
“We want to implement and execute schemes but from where when we have no power and authority to exercise for want of fund. Our bank cheques are not honoured by the bank,” Mishra said.