The annual tree plantation drive conducted by the forest department has faced significant setbacks this year due to a shortage of manpower. The department plans to carry out its plantation activities on 79 hectares of land across 12 forest ranges, marking the lowest coverage in a decade, according to a senior official from the Pune Forest Department.
Annual Tree Plantation Drive Challenges
Each year, the forest department begins preparations for the plantation drive in January, which involves extensive pre-plantation work such as pit digging. This preparatory phase is crucial and requires hiring workers on a daily wage basis. The current wage rate is set at ₹460 per day. However, workers have been demanding higher pay, which has led to difficulties in recruiting the necessary manpower.
Wage Dispute and Recruitment Issues
Mahadev Mohite, Deputy Conservator of Forests for the Pune Forest Division, highlighted the challenges faced due to the wage dispute. “Due to the wage issue, we were unable to get workers for the plantation work. As per the norms, the workers should be recruited within an area of one kilometre from the plantation site. Hence, we could not import workers from outside. The local workers are demanding a higher daily amount at around ₹800 to ₹1000, but currently, the department does not have the provision for the same. Hence the manpower shortage has impacted the plantation drive this year,” said Mohite.
Impact on Plantation Targets
The department traditionally sets a target to cover approximately 1000 hectares for plantation each year. While this target has not been met, the current year’s plantation area is significantly lower than previous years. Key forest areas such as Wadgaon Maval, Paud, Bhamburda, and other ranges around Pune have been particularly affected by the staff shortage.
