Forest Department to once again write to the officials concerned to consider Forest staff as frontline workers 

Mysore/Mysuru: The Forest Department staff are angry following the notice slapped on two Taluk Health Officers (THOs) by the District Health Officer (DHO) for vaccinating a few Forest employees under the 18 to 44 years category.

About 8 to 10 employees of Nanjangud and H.D. Kote taluks had recently got vaccinated in the 18 to 44 years age group category. Claiming that the State-level officers had taken strong objection for vaccinating some Forest Department employees, who come under the priority group, which will get the jab after inoculation of 22 other categories, notices have been served on those two Taluk Health Officers.

This act of DHO Dr T. Amarnath has angered the Forest Department staff, who said that they were doing the job of saving the rich flora and fauna and preventing man-animal conflict. In fact, 25 forest staff, have died in the last 27 days which has been à cause of worry for them. Over a hundred personnel, who have tested positive, are still undergoing treatment in hospitals.

Meanwhile, Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Dr. K.C. Prashanth Kumar said that, a letter was written to the DHO to consider Forest Department staff as frontline workers as they are the protectors of forests and wildlife, who are always on the field interacting with people and hence vaccinate them on priority. The issuance of notices to the THOs has brought down the confidence of Forest staff, he said and added that the Forest Department would one again write a letter in this regard.

A few staff said that they cannot work from home using the internet as they need to be on the field.  Is it a crime to vaccinate Forest staff? they said.