Panchkula: Even as a series of large-scale illegal tree-felling cases have come to light in the Pinjore-Morni forest belt over the past two years, the district forest division continues to function with severe manpower shortages across key field-level posts responsible for forest protection and wildlife conservation.Data obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act reveals that only two forest deputy rangers are currently posted against a sanctioned strength of seven in the division. Deputy rangers play a crucial role in protecting forests and wildlife, preventing illegal felling and poaching, and overseeing forestry operations on the ground.The shortage is even more acute among forest guards, the department’s frontline workforce tasked with patrolling forests, checking timber theft and poaching, monitoring wildlife and enforcing forest laws. Against a sanctioned strength of 105 forest guards, only 22 are currently in position, leaving vast stretches of hilly terrain under limited surveillance.The division is also facing vacancies among forest darogas (forest inspectors), a supervisory rank. Of the 27 sanctioned posts, only 20 are filled. Similarly, only 10 labourers are working against 22 sanctioned posts.Sources said the vacancies have persisted for nearly two to three years, raising concerns about the division’s ability to effectively protect forests and wildlife.“It is precisely because of this severe shortage that large-scale illegal felling and wildlife poaching continue to occur. Around 6,000 trees have been cut illegally in recent years. Earlier, 69 forest beats had been created for protection of forests and wildlife, but their number has now been reduced to 42. As a result, one employee is often required to guard an area almost twice the size of what was earlier assigned,” said Vijay Bansal, president of Shivalik Vikas Manch.In a memorandum to chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, Bansal demanded strict action against officials found responsible in the alleged illegal felling cases. He also sought a new forest policy to increase Haryana’s forest cover and urged the govt to fill vacancies in the department on priority.The staffing crunch had earlier been flagged by the divisional forest officer of the Morni-Pinjore forest division to the conservator of forests (north circle), Haryana.In a communication, the officer highlighted difficulties in carrying out conservation, patrolling and protection duties due to the shortage of forest guards and suggested engaging personnel under the Agniveer scheme on an ad hoc basis until regular recruitment is undertaken.When contacted, principal chief conservator of forests KC Meena said, “We have already written to the Haryana Staff Selection Commission for filling these posts. The recruitment process will be completed soon.”Box: Major illegal tree-felling casesMarch 2025: Around 2,000 eucalyptus trees allegedly felled near Muwas villageMarch 2026: More than 1,148 khair trees illegally cut in forest land near Asrewali villageApril 2026: Around 1,400 khair trees reportedly felled in the HMT complex area of Pinjore and near Jaithal and Kona villagesSeveral other smaller incidents of illegal felling have also been reported in recent years
