Maksam Tayeng

PASIGHAT, Sep 13: The Daying Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary which has been in the news for quite some time all due to negative reasons is still not in a proper shape due to lack of basic infra requirements such as manpower shortage and negligence on the part of a section of staff which has led to dilution of the protection mechanism, making it easy for poachers.
While an overall government negligence is much visible, the main cause for security lapses is shortage of staff. The sanctuary is presently manned by 7 regular male field staff (Fr, Fgd, Dy. Fr) excluding 3 Range Officers along with around 20 contingency staff. But the 10 female staff (Fgd) are not much help for the strenuous field patrolling duties. Divisional Forest Officer, DEWS Tasang Taga informed that the female staff though deputed on fields are not discharging their duties citing various reasons. “I had written and apprised the PCCF Wildlife Office about the need for replacing the female staff with male ones, but despite the appeal the DEWS is becoming a dumping ground for female staff,” Taga said.
When asked about the need for replacing the female staff, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife & Biodiversity cum Chief Wildlife Warden), G. Kumar said he will surely look into the actual needs and assured to replace the female staff with male counterparts for ensuring more efficiency and protection. It is pertinent to mention that some of the female staff are taking posting in the sanctuary with the notion they will not be given field duties and this has resulted in a negative impact on the overall work culture, unfortunately transmitted among the male staff, thereby leaving the survival of many endangered species only in the hands of a few contingency staff. The manpower shortage is being used appropriately by the habitual hunters/poachers from fringe villages which is unchecked till date. It can be recalled that in one such recent hunting incident, one of a departmental contingency staff from Borguli Wildlife Range was found involved in hunting inside the sanctuary and was leading a gang of hunters. However, he along with his co-hunters were finally arrested and subsequently sacked from service.

Located in the riverine islands of the mighty Siang right from near the Pasighat township to Assam-Arunachal boundary with a total area of 190 sq km, DEWS is one of the toughest and difficult wildlife sanctuaries in the state as well as the country to administer. It’s importance can be gauged from the fact that it houses the rarest of the rare species of wild animals, reptiles and birds, some of which are on the verge of extinction.
Despite its immense importance in terms of wildlife conservation, DEWS hasn’t received its expected share of government attention due to which eco and wildlife tourism and water-sports etc. haven’t picked up which would have generated enough employment opportunities for the unemployed youths of the fringe villages. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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