New Delhi: The Uttar Pradesh government has
allegedly not paid daily wages for the past seven months to
over 250 workers in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve despite the
Centre releasing money for running of the park.
Though the Centre released Rs 3.16 crore to the state
government in September for maintenance of the reserve soon
after it signed an agreement on tiger conservation, the
workers are yet to get their dues, official sources said.
Wildlife experts fear that the apathy of the state
government towards the tiger park can induce the workers to
help poachers in lieu of money.
"It is shocking that at a time when all efforts are being
made to save each and every tiger in the country, Uttar
Pradesh government has not paid daily wage earners their dues.
This will have negative consequences," wildlife expert Belinda
Wright said.
She recalled that how in the absence of monetary support
by the state, daily wagers turned poachers in reserves like
Valmiki and Corbett sanctuaries in Bihar and Uttarakhand
respectively in the past.
Day-to-day work in the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, spread over
1400 square kms and housing around 100 tigers, has almost come
to a standstill.
Sources said the daily wagers are paid Rs 100 per day and
their total salary bill for the past seven months stands at
between Rs 60-70 lakhs.
Bureau Report
