Wildlife Daily-wagers in Uri Seek Regularisation After Years of Risky Service
Zaffer Iqbal
Uri, Jan 21 (GNS): Daily-wage workers of the Wildlife Department in Uri have renewed their demand for regularisation, citing low wages, delayed payments, and prolonged service under hazardous conditions.
The workers told GNS that they receive between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000 per month for duties that involve confronting wild animals and responding to emergencies at all hours. “Many of them have served for 15 to 20 years without being absorbed into regular service,” they said.
The concerns have resurfaced after a recent rescue operation in Nowshera, Boniyar, where a leopard and its cub were safely rescued on Tuesday evening. The five-hour operation involved the Wildlife Department team from Uri, including incharge Raja Suhail and several daily-wage workers.
The workers said they are the first to be deployed whenever there is an incident involving wild animals. “Uri, being a hilly region close to dense forests, frequently witnesses human wildlife encounters,” they said adding it is they (daily-wagers) who handle animal attacks, rescue missions, and forest fire incidents, often at personal risk.
Several workers reported injuries sustained during past rescue operations. They said the nature of their work demands skill, experience, and constant readiness, yet their compensation remains inadequate. They added that wage payments are often delayed by up to six months, making it difficult to meet basic household expenses.
The workers appealed to the government to take note of their situation and initiate the process of regularisation. “Permanent status would ensure financial stability and dignity after years of frontline service in protecting both human lives and wildlife,” they said. (GNS)
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