Field staff at Dudhwa National Park intensifies stir

Intensifying their ongoing 'work boycott' to protest against the alleged harassment by district administration, the field staff in Dudhwa National Park today surrendered their official arms and equipment at the park headquarter in Pallia. The Park staff, under the aegis of Federation of Forest Association of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, is boycotting work since a fortnight and DNP authorities have made several rounds of negotiations with the striking employees but to no avail. The class IV staff also surrendered their brooms and cleaning equipment today in solidarity with their on-strike colleagues. The work boycott agitation by the Gypsy drivers and guides has already hit Dudhwa tourism since past fifteen days. Now, surrendering of arms by the wildlife guards and foresters may pose tough challenge before the park authorities to ensure protection of Dudhwa forests and its wild animals. DNP Deputy Field Director PP Singh told PTI that he has "intimated higher authorities" about the developments and sought their directions. "Prantiya Raksha Dal (PRD) jawans would be engaged to ensure the safety inside Dudhwa," Singh said. The Park staff had been on collision course with district magistrate Kinjal Singh, alleging that she "violated" rules by visiting the tiger reserve during night hours and "harassed" the officials.