Unarmed foresters face daily danger : Reports
HYDERABAD: A plantation drive in the Sirichelma range of Kawal Tiger Reserve in Adilabad on July 20 turned violent when angry villagers allegedly attacked police and forest officials with sticks and stones, injuring several of them. The violence, driven by fears of displacement and livelihood, has triggered outrage among forest personnel, who are now demanding weapons, protective gear and a complete reassessment of their field security.
“We fear for our lives now. Our team’s morale is down,” said a senior forest official. “What happened recently is not new. It can happen anywhere. Our staff go on field visits alone. This is not how forest protection should function.”
Such incidents are far from rare. During a similar plantation drive in Kumuram Bheem district in 2019, forest officer Chole Anitha was allegedly assaulted with a stick while trying to pacify a mob.
Recalling a 2013 undercover operation, a former forest officer described being lured into a trap by a gang posing as sellers of tiger skin. “They took us deep into the forest. Suddenly, 15 men surrounded us, hurled stones and tried to snatch the suitcase we were carrying,” he said. “We were outnumbered. My shirt was torn and I was bleeding. That day, we became the hunted.”
Despite strong evidence and FIRs, the officer said, the case remains unresolved. “Even after ten years, justice hasn’t been delivered. I asked myself—What is the point?”
One officer noted that arming forest staff was once considered unwise, especially in Maoist-affected areas. “Earlier, there was the risk of Maoists snatching away weapons. But now, how do we defend ourselves?”
Talking to Deccan Chronicle, Adilabad district forest officer Prashant Patil said their division covers around 4.5 lakh acres of forest land. “Of this, 90,000 acres have been assigned to the tribal population. However, we face issues with the 5,000 acres encroached upon by non-tribals posing as tribals. Most attacks on us are driven by manipulation by these encroachers. Imagine one unarmed forest officer against more than ten people.”
According to a 2017 study by the International Ranger Federation, India is the world’s most dangerous country for forest guards, accounting for 31 per cent of ranger fatalities globally.
Officers say the misuse of forest rights by some groups has led to widespread encroachment. “You can’t book everyone. There are no witnesses inside the forest. And if you resist, you are branded anti-development,” an officer explained.
“We have submitted several requests in the past,” said another official. “Our officers are exhausted, mentally and physically. Many take leave out of fear. We need the kind of support forest staff get in other states,” the officer added.
Attacks on forest officials in Telangana:
July 20, 2025: Sirichelma range, Adilabad
- Forest and police personnel were attacked with sticks and stones during the plantation drive. Seven injured, 29 arrested.
November 22, 2022: Bendalapadu, Bhadradri-Kothagudem
- Forest range officer C. Srinivasa Rao was murdered with axes and sickles while protecting the plantation from encroachers.
July 14, 2021: Madagudem, Mahbubabad
- Forest deputy ranger attacked during an attempt to stop cultivation on forest land.
July 2, 2019: Gundalapadu, Bhadradri-Kothagudem
- Six forest officials were assaulted by a mob after seizing tractors used in illegal farming.
June 30, 2019: Sarasala, Asifabad
- Forest range officer Chole Anitha was attacked with bamboo sticks, allegedly led by the brother of a BRS MLA, during a plantation drive.
