Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary

Anger is simmering among Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary trackers as the forest department is yet to sanction funds for their pay.

The 40-odd trackers — mostly nearby village youths hired as daily wagers for keeping tab on movement of elephants and other animals — have not been paid for the past eight months.

Frustrated trackers, under Dainik Vetanbhogi Majdoor Sangh, have now threatened to go on dharna before the entrance of the 192sqkm sanctuary at Makulakocha village to bar officials if they don’t get paid by October 3.

Trackers have called a meeting at Makulakocha on October 3 to chalk out the details of their protest programme.

“Sangh chief Maheshwar Singh will chair the meeting. If our wages are not paid by October 3, we will block the entrance to the sanctuary and not allow any official to enter the reserve,” said Sangh convenor Shrishtidhar Mahto.

If the protest happens, it will mar the week-long Van Mahotsav, starting Wednesday. Dalma range office is organising essay, painting and elocution contests for students of state-run school at six points — Bhadodih, Chakulia, Mango, Dalma, Nutandih and Patamda — inside the wildlife sanctuary.