Twenty-seven years ago, Parthasarathi Sinha left home to honor his own wishes, overcoming family attachments. But this time, he could not overcome his attachment to his child-like non-human companions. The caretaker of Alipurduar's South Khayerbari Leopard Rehabilitation Center decided to reject a promotion and stay with the leopards. On December 31, the forest department issued orders promoting him and transferring him to the position of beat officer at the Buxa Tiger Project.
However, Partha wrote a letter directly to the state's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Debal Roy on Friday, rejecting the promotion, saying he cannot leave those he has nurtured like children at the rehabilitation center since 2005. Whether his appeal will be accepted is now being discussed within the forest department.
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Partha was responsible for caring for 25 leopards at the rehabilitation center. The promotion would have benefited him in every way, including a monthly salary increase of two and a half thousand rupees, along with retirement pension and gratuity. But Partha cannot overcome his attachment to the non-human companions. He made this decision to remain bound in that relationship.
Partha says, "I have received much in life. My heart does not allow me to leave their company for a promotion. That's why I made this decision." Regarding his decision, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Sandip Sundariyal says, "I don't want to comment on anyone's personal decision. However, the matter will be examined departmentally."
