Kozhikode: With the notification for the upcoming assembly elections to be issued soon, transfers within the forest department have turned into a high-stakes auction, with postings to ‘favourable ranges’ coming at a steep price.

While male rangers compete for transfers to territorial ranges offering more contract work or areas with active timber operations, female officers primarily seek postings close to their homes. Taking advantage of the situation, office bearers of staff organisations and employees with ministerial connections are reportedly demanding anywhere between ₹1 lakh and ₹3 lakh for each transfer. With the post-election scenario remaining uncertain, a direction has come up from the higher-ups to ‘assist’ as many as possible before the notification is issued.

A surprise inspection conducted by the police vigilance recently under the codename ‘Vanaraksha’ uncovered widespread financial irregularities in forest department offices, leading to the suspension of range officers in Vallakkadavu and Thekkady. The Kumily range officer was also transferred as punishment in connection with a controversy over the unauthorised felling of trees. These ranges are now highly sought after, with intermediaries being offered substantial sums to facilitate the reinstatement of suspended or transferred officers into their previous offices.

Competition is particularly intense for transfers to ranges such as Kalpetta, Meppadi, Kurichiad, Machad, Vazhachal, Kannavam, Kulathupuzha, Marayoor, Aryankavu, Anchal, Erumeli, Pamba and Neyyar. Transfers that were previously carried out only in May–June are now being fast-tracked to conclude by February. Officials have been directed to release the first list of transfers for rangers and deputy rangers by the end of this month. The election notification has added urgency, as no transfers will be possible afterwards, while the anticipation of policy changes under the incoming government has further intensified the race.

Bribes keep flowing in
Vigilance reports indicate that construction work within the forest department is often handed over to benami contractors, with forest officials themselves looting large sums. Inspections based on these reports have uncovered transactions worth crores of rupees. In areas with active timber mill operations, Form-4 passes are issued by range offices for the storage and transportation of wood. Under this category, tens of thousands of rupees reportedly flow to range offices every month as bribery, known locally as ‘padi’.