Pilibhit wildlife body seeks release of 13 months’ dues for tiger trackers

Pilibhit: The secretary of the Pilibhit-based Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation Authority, Dr Amitabh Agnihotri, has written to Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) field director P P Singh seeking an immediate release of stipends pending for seven tiger trackers for the past 13 months.According to divisional forest officer Bharat Kumar DK, the department had hired seven tiger trackers on a monthly stipend of Rs 9,000 each. However, they have not received their stipends since March last year as no funds were allocated under the Tiger Conservation Plan for them.“These trackers have received specialised training and perform crucial duties. They track stray tigers in rural areas by following pugmarks, assist wildlife rescue teams in placing cages and live bait, rescue snakes and crocodiles, especially during the monsoon, and play a key role in mitigating human-animal conflict in villages around the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve,” the DFO said.In his letter, Agnihotri said the delay had adversely affected frontline wildlife workers and urged authorities to clear the dues at the earliest.He also sought logistical support for the Forest and Wildlife Division, including rescue vehicles, tranquillising guns and cages for capturing stray wild animals. Agnihotri said the demand was particularly important at a time when tigers were increasingly straying into agricultural fields due to rising numbers and pressure on the reserve.He sought at least eight fully equipped rescue vehicles to reduce response time and help ensure timely intervention before conflict situations developed between humans and wild animals.