A group of former civil servants and wildlife experts has urged the Assam government to withdraw its directive assigning nearly 1,600 personnel from the Assam Forest Protection Force (AFPF) to election duties, raising concerns over its impact on conservation efforts.
The appeal comes ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, with experts warning that diverting frontline forest staff could weaken protection across key forest zones, including areas that fall under Guwahati’s broader ecological region.
Wildlife experts have urged the Assam government to withdraw its decision to deploy around 1,600 AFPF personnel for election duty. They warn that diverting forest staff could weaken conservation efforts, increase risks of poaching and illegal activities, and may violate Election Commission guidelines.
Impact on Forest Areas Around Guwahati
Experts highlighted that forests and wildlife zones near Guwahati, including reserve areas and protected landscapes, depend heavily on continuous monitoring by trained personnel.
They cautioned that reduced field presence could lead to:
- Increased risk of poaching
- Illegal logging activities
- Encroachment in sensitive zones
Such concerns are particularly relevant for regions surrounding Guwahati, where urban expansion already puts pressure on nearby forest ecosystems.
Concerns Over Violation of Election Norms
The group pointed out that guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India prohibit the deployment of territorial forest staff and serving forest officers, including Indian Forest Service (IFS) personnel, for election-related duties.
According to the signatories, the current directive appears to conflict with these established norms, raising questions about compliance.
Appeal Led by Senior Conservation Voices
The letter was drafted by Prakriti Srivastava and supported by several senior figures in environmental governance and wildlife conservation.
Key signatories include:
- Meena Gupta
- AK Jha
- Uma Shankar Singh
- Prerna Singh Bindra
- Debadityo Sinha
They have collectively stressed the importance of maintaining uninterrupted forest protection, especially during sensitive periods.
Why Timing Matters
Experts noted that forest protection requires consistent surveillance, and any reduction in manpower—even temporarily—can create gaps that may be exploited.
With election duties often involving extended deployment, the concern is that conservation efforts could be compromised during this period.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
Guwahati’s proximity to ecologically sensitive areas makes forest protection a critical issue for the region.
Any weakening of surveillance in nearby forests could have broader implications, including:
- Loss of biodiversity
- Increased human-wildlife conflict
- Environmental degradation affecting urban sustainability
What Happens Next
The Assam government has not yet issued a response to the appeal.
Experts and stakeholders are now awaiting clarification on whether the directive will be reviewed or modified in line with existing guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are experts opposing AFPF deployment for election duty?
Experts believe deploying forest personnel for election duties could weaken conservation efforts and increase risks like poaching and illegal logging.
2. Does this affect Guwahati directly?
Yes, forests around Guwahati rely on continuous monitoring, and reduced personnel could impact ecological balance and wildlife protection in the region.