Alwar: Saroj Kumari Khorwal, posted at Karna Ka Boss forest outpost in Sariska Tiger Reserve, has a postgraduate degree in economics. She appeared in the RAS 2022 mains exam and missed clearing it by just a few marks. Her father, who used to run a shop, died of Covid in 2021. With five sisters and two brothers younger than her, Saroj had to shoulder the responsibility of educating all her siblings. If she becomes an RAS officer, she says, she can bear this responsibility much better.Another female staffer, Ravina Meena, has MA and BEd degrees. Her goal is to become a teacher in Delhi, for which she is studying day and night to clear the selection exam, she says.Both Khorwal and Meena were posted to Sariska in 2023. They found that the forest outposts lacked basic facilities. Water leaked from the roofs, the bathrooms were shabby, and living in the forest was itself a scary experience for them. With time, even as they overcame their fear of tigers and learnt to monitor the beasts from close quarters, the struggle with the decrepit living conditions continued. Now, though, the forest outposts almost feel like home. The outposts have been fenced, the roofs have been repaired, there are tiles on the floor of rooms and verandahs, solar energy lights and drinking water are available, and the kitchen is fully secured from wildlife, especially monkeys and langurs. Separate bathrooms and toilets have been built for female personnel. Finally, Khorwal and Meena have the comfort to study for competitive exams once their duty hours are over.In the last financial year, 22 forest outposts in dilapidated condition were repaired and refurbished by the Sariska administration. This financial year, 37 outposts are in the final stages of such renovation. Facilities like tap water and electricity through solar panels are available 24 hours at the outposts.Sariska divisional forest officer (DFO) Abhimanyu Saharan said the govt had sanctioned special funds for renovation of the forest outposts. He said a total of 59 outposts have been renovated with the funds, and all amenities are being provided so that forest personnel can live in a good, home-like environment.
