Siliguri, July 25: The Bengal forest department has decided to reserve 10 per cent of jobs for the next of kin of those who have died or become physically impaired because of attacks from wild animals.

Forest minister Hiten Barman said the decision had been taken in view of frequent man-animal conflicts, resulting in human deaths and injuries.

“The government is concerned over increase in the number of deaths and injuries caused by wild animals’ intrusion into human habitats. Of late, there have been many incidents of elephants and leopards straying out of forests and attacking villagers. We have decided to reserve 10 per cent of jobs in the forest department for family members of those who lost their lives or suffered serious injuries to the extent that he/she became physically impaired when attacked by wild animals,” said Barman.

“The proposal has been endorsed by the chief minister. The formal announcement regarding the reservation of forest jobs under this new category will be made soon and necessary administrative steps would be taken,” he told journalists here on Saturday.

The minister handed over a compensation of Rs 20,000 each to the five persons injured by a leopard at Limbubusty on the outskirts of Siliguri on July 18. He also handed over certificates to 94 people, including local people, policemen and foresters, recognising their role in controlling the situation during the leopard’s entry into the village and trapping the animal.

Barman also hinted that his department would soon augment the infrastructure as well as realign the existing structure. “We are planning to increase the number of ranges and beats as the forest department’s focus should be more on field level work. The previous government had created sinecure posts for IFS officers, instead of recruiting employees for field level positions,” said the minister.

“We are going to change this system and recruit more people for the lower and basic tiers of the department. Senior officers will be entrusted with certain responsibilities and they, too, will have to work in fields.”

Barman paid a visit to Shorea, a nature park located close to Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary.

He said the department was working on plans to create more accommodation for tourists and extend help to them in case they plan to visit forests in the Dooars and other areas in the state during the ensuing Durga Puja holidays.

“We are in the process of developing an interactive and comprehensive website to help tourists. The portal will be ready by September. The tourist can obtain all relevant data from the website, right from animals, which can be sighted in a particular forest, to car rentals and boarding charges. The visitors can also book forest properties through the website,” said the minister.

He added that tents would be erected in some of the tourist hotspots to accommodate more tourists during holidays.