West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday, 18 August announced salary hikes for employees across the state Forest Department, effective October, timed to coincide with the Durga Puja festive season. The announcement came during the central government's Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam tree-plantation event at Moharkunj in central Kolkata.

Who Gets a Raise and by How Much

Adhikari confirmed pay increases for four categories of forest staff. Rangers, beat officers, and forest guards will each receive a hike of ₹5,000 per month. Forest assistants, who previously drew a monthly salary of ₹12,000, will see their pay rise by ₹2,000.

Speaking directly to the workforce, Adhikari said: 'You work in various places with a lot of risk. I will give you good news. Puja is in the month of October, and from that month, the salary of 500 rangers has been increased. It has been increased by Rs 5,000. The salary of beat officers has been increased by Rs 5,000, and the salary of forest guards has been increased by Rs 5,000. Along with this, forest assistants used to get a salary of Rs 12,000 till now. Their salary has also been increased by Rs 2,000.'

Environment Pledges Alongside the Pay Announcement

Beyond the salary hike, Adhikari outlined a series of conservation commitments for the state. He said West Bengal would plant 10 crore trees this year, maintained and cared for over two years, drawing a direct comparison with Uttar Pradesh's target of 26 crore trees.

He also announced that on 2 October, a tiger will be released into Buxa forest in north Bengal — a move that will draw attention to the state's wildlife conservation efforts. Additionally, a new aquarium is planned for Alipore in Kolkata, and one lakh trees are to be planted in the Bhowanipore constituency.

The Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Initiative

The event was held under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (A Tree in the Name of Mother) initiative, a nationwide tree-plantation drive urging citizens to plant at least one sapling in honour of their mother and tend to it over time. The West Bengal government's participation signals its alignment with the Union government's environmental outreach, even as the state and Centre have often been at political odds.

What Comes Next

The revised salaries are set to be credited from October 2025, ahead of Durga Puja. Forest department officials are expected to receive formal orders in the coming weeks. The tree-plantation drive, already under way at a 'fast pace' according to Adhikari, will be tracked against the 10 crore target through the end of the year.