Calls for Field Posting of Qualified ACFs and Grade-I Range Officers
JAMMU, Oct 7: The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has urged the J&K Government to ensure the professional, rational and need-based deployment of qualified wildlife personnel, particularly Assistant Conservators of Forests (Wildlife) and Grade-I Range Officers (Wildlife), to strengthen field-level wildlife and habitat conservation.
In a representation submitted to the Commissioner/Secretary, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, EPG Convenor Faiz Bakshi said the Wildlife Department has a valuable pool of professionally trained and experienced personnel whose expertise should be effectively utilised for wildlife protection, habitat management, wetland conservation, enforcement and management of Protected Areas.
EPG pointed out that officers possessing qualifications such as a Master’s Degree in Wildlife Science or a Diploma in Wildlife Management, along with years of field experience, have specialised knowledge in wildlife monitoring, biodiversity assessment, human-wildlife conflict management, wildlife rescue, anti-poaching operations, wildlife crime prevention, camera-trap surveys, GPS and GIS-based monitoring, Protected Area management and conservation planning.
The group emphasised that wildlife conservation is inherently field-oriented and requires the regular presence of experienced personnel in Protected Areas, Wildlife Ranges, Conservation Reserves and other ecologically sensitive locations.
EPG particularly highlighted the need to strengthen field-level protection of wetlands, which it said are facing increasing pressure from encroachments and other human activities.
According to the group, qualified wildlife personnel can play an important role in monitoring wetland boundaries, identifying encroachments, documenting ecological changes and coordinating timely measures for their protection and restoration.
EPG also expressed concern over the prolonged attachment of technically qualified wildlife personnel to offices, particularly against non-existent or temporary positions. It claimed that such attachments had increased since January 2024, when a large number of professionals were allegedly attached or placed against positions in Directorate and Regional Offices.
The group urged the Government to review these attachments and, wherever there is no genuine continuing administrative requirement, consider field deployment based on the qualifications, specialisation and experience of individual officers.
Highlighting the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict, EPG said experienced field officers were essential for verifying incidents, identifying conflict hotspots, coordinating with communities and local administration and developing preventive and long-term mitigation measures.
It also stressed the role of trained personnel in preventing poaching, illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking through surveillance, intelligence gathering, patrolling and coordination with enforcement agencies.
EPG has sought a comprehensive review covering the nature and place of present postings, duration and justification of office attachments, status of positions against which officers are attached, duties being performed, professional qualifications and field experience, and staffing requirements of Wildlife Divisions, Ranges and Protected Areas.
The group also proposed a periodic review mechanism to ensure that qualified personnel are deployed effectively and transparently according to field requirements.
“Wildlife conservation requires professional expertise as well as sustained field presence. The department must ensure that qualified personnel are deployed where their knowledge and experience can directly contribute to protection, conservation and management of wildlife habitats and wetlands,” EPG said.
EPG urged the Government to take appropriate measures for the rational deployment of ACFs (Wildlife), Grade-I Range Officers (Wildlife) and other qualified personnel, stating that such deployment would strengthen field conservation, improve protection of vulnerable habitats and wetlands and ensure more effective utilisation of public resources.