A group of trekkers speak to media persons at the Mhadei Sanctuary area.
VALPOI
About 130 trekkers at the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary have demanded regularisation in employment after claiming to have worked for the last 13 years with meagre wages and no security cover.
Speaking to media persons, many of these 130 trekkers said they have been working under adverse conditions, which included fighting forest fires, keeping an eye out on poachers, and even coming face-to-face with wild animals with little security for themselves.
The trekkers claimed that a daily wage of 405 per day was too meagre for them to earn a livelihood and support their families.
To make matters worse, the trekkers alleged that they had not been paid their wages for the past three months.
The 130 trekkers have demanded regularisation in their employment, better and regular salaries and.
“I have been working with dedication for the last 13 years to preserve the biodiversity of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary with a meagre salary of only Rs 405 per day. This current wage is simply not sufficient,” said a trekker, Nanda Gawas
They informed a representation highlighting their demands had been sent to the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane.
Another trekker, Viju Gaonkar, while speaking on behalf of other trekkers, insisted that they be paid salaries on time.
Highlighting the dangers they face on a daily basis, a trekker said they have to walk in forests without any safety cover.
“Many times, we have to walk in the forest all alone. We regularly encounter wild animals and we have little protection for ourselves,” said a trekker.
“Two years ago, there were forest fires in Sattari taluka and at that time, the forest department had promised to double the salaries of the trekkers to control the fire. At that time, we trekkers had worked day and night, but we did not received any benefits.”
A trekker said he had been demanding an increase in salary for the past 13 years and regularisation in service.
“At present, officials simply tell us that they do not have sufficient funds,” Naik added.
