Delhi govt to induct fellows to help forest dept officials

The government said it will induct 28 ‘green fellows’ from December 21 to aid the functioning of its understaffed environment and forest departments

The Delhi government will induct 28 “green fellows”, including three specialists, from December 21 to aid the functioning of its understaffed environment and forest departments and free up its staff members for ground-level activities and enforcement, officials said.

The Delhi government has not carried out a tree census for the last two decades, with many officials attributing it to staff shortage. (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHoto)

The fellows -- three specialists, 10 fellows and 15 associate fellows -- are joining the government departments for a period of four years as part of a Green Youth Fellowship under the ‘Green Delhi’ mission.

“Each fellow, based on their educational qualification and knowledge, will be assigned under a senior officer and be asked to provide data and information on different fields such as air pollution, water pollution or e-waste. Depending on the requirements, the fellows will be distributed across the forest and wildlife department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) too,” said the official, on condition of anonymity.

Officials said the fellows, a mix of professionals and young students, will free up a number of its technically qualified personnel who are currently forced to perform clerical office tasks due to shortage of staff.