The Indian Forest Service Association @CentralIfs has asked better financial facilities & working conditions including firearms from @PrakashJavdekar - Environmentalists support their demands but felt the use of firearms could be contentious. https://india.mongabay.com/2020/09/forest-officers-demand-better-social-security-and-firearms/

On this, @Sushmitav1 said it is understandable that forest staff work under difficult circumstances, however, the role of forest departments when it comes to conflicts over forest land has been questionable.

"While improving the working and living conditions of the forest staff may be required, equipping them with firearms to deal with adivasis and others may be very dangerous. They shouldn’t be given more power than they actually hold,” @Sushmitav1 said.

And @Awasarai of @EndangeredHimal said forest dept has to change its colonial approach, make local people custodians with decision making roles ... When other departments can work for the people, forest too will have to radically change its approach as well as forest policies.

But @SanthoshaGubbi said security & safety of their family keep (forest) staff motivated when they work in difficult conditions with no facilities. He said use of firearms is an operational requirement for self-defence in remote areas, where no immediate help is available.