Prolonged forest officer postings in Belagavi circle raise concerns

Belagavi: The continued posting of several deputy conservators of forests (DCFs), assistant conservators of forests (ACFs) and range forest officers (RFOs) in Belagavi Forest Circle for several years has triggered concern among environmentalists and the public.

Belagavi Forest Circle, covering the territorial forest divisions of Belagavi, Ghataprabha (Gokak), Bagalkot, and Vijayapura, along with social forestry divisions, is considered one of Karnataka’s most prestigious and high-budget forest circles. Spanning regions from the dense Western Ghats to dry scrub forests, it receives crores of rupees annually under various govt schemes, making key postings highly sought after.

Despite transfer exercises held two to three years ago, several officers were shifted only to neighbouring ranges and sub-divisions within the same circle.

In Ramdurg, ACF Wasim Tenagi and RFO Bhagyashree Masali are nearing three years in their current postings but are yet to be transferred. Similarly, Sunita Nimbaragi, who served as ACF of Raibag sub-division, was transferred to Khanapur in March 2024 and has already completed two years there without further transfer.

Attention has also been drawn to the tenure of Manjunath Chavan, who has continued as chief conservator of forests (CCF) of Belagavi Forest Circle for four years. Chavan took charge in 2022 and has remained in the same position since then.

The prolonged postings have come under scrutiny as Belagavi Forest Circle has been in the spotlight over several controversies in the past two years. These include the death of 32 blackbucks at Belagavi zoo, electrocution deaths of two elephants in Nagargali, allegations of illegal tree felling near Badal Ankalagi for a solar power project, alleged irregularities in compensation payments under the Talewadi village relocation project, renovation works of forest offices and guest houses without tenders involving expenditure of crores of rupees, purchase of vehicles through CSR funds from a wind energy company accused of violating forest laws, and alleged poor-quality construction of an entrance arch at Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary.

Wildlife conservationist Giridhar Kulkarni said continued postings in the same locations for prolonged periods were not a healthy administrative practice.

“Senior officers who have been functioning in the same place for many years should be transferred through a transparent system to ensure accountability and public confidence,” he said.