A Vigilance Wing was formed in Kerala Forest Department vide G.O (MS) No. 289/71/Agri dated: 23-12-71, with the broad intent of enquiring into illegal removal of forest produce, monitoring and evaluation of departmental works and projects, evaluation of regeneration areas, corrupt practices by the forest officials etc. A subsequent Government order G.O (MS) No. 4/75/AD dated: 21-01-75 specified the framework and working of the Vigilance Wing. As per this Government Order, the object of Vigilance Wing is to combat corruption and misconduct in the Forest Department effectively, and to detect and prevent forest offences. Forest Vigilance Wing takes up cases under the following categories for enquiry.

1.       Nepotism of staff

2.       Causing wrongful loss to Government property or revenue or claim or dues.

3.       Making false claim against Government such as false T.A, House Rent etc

4.       Any dishonest or intentionally improper conduct on the part of a departmental officer or         abuse of his power.

5.       Causing avoidable delay in the disposal of Government business.

6.       Misappropriation or misuse of any Government property.

7.       Gross negligence or dereliction of duty.

8.       Any illegal or improper conduct.

9.       Abetment of the above offences.

10.   Illicit transport of forest produces.

11.   Allegations against department works.

12.   Petitions from public.

Machinery for vigilance and evaluation works.

The Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests is the head of Vigilance Wing at Forest Headquarters. Two Regional offices under two Conservators of Forests function at Kottayam and Kozhikode respectively. Eight (8) Flying Squad Divisions headed by the Divisional Forest Officers and Eighteen Flying Squad Units(18) under Range Forest officers function under the Conservators. At the Forest Headquarters, Four Assistant Conservators of Forests are posted to assist the Chief Conservator of Forests (Vigilance) in the functioning of the office. The list of field units under Vigilance Wing is as follows

List of Offices in Vigilance Wing

The total strength of staff working in Vigilance Wing is 267 which include 28 Section Forest Officers 108 Beat Forest Officers and 24 drivers. A statement showing the number of staff under different categories working in different field offices is as follows

Organizational Set Up of Vigilance Wing

Major Activities

·                     The Territorial and Wildlife Wings of the Kerala Forest Department do the generaladministration, protection and management of forests.

·                     Vigilance Wing functions as a watch dog and also extends necessary help to the Territorial and Wildlife staff whenever necessary.

·                     Vigilance Wing conducts enquiry into the allegations raised against staff, petitions  regarding illicit felling, poaching, ganja cultivation, arrack     distillation, encroachment etc.

·                     Evaluation of regeneration areas, surprise checking of check posts, night patrolling to prevent illegal transportation of forest produces etc is also done by the Vigilance Wing.

* Includes petitions received during the previous years pending for enquiry. 

 Forest Intelligence Cell

Forest Intelligence Cell was established during 2001 under the control of Chief Conservator of Forests (Vigilance). One Range Officer and 6 supporting field staff (one Section Forest Officer + 5 Beat Forest Officers) are working at various places in the state. Assistant Conservator of Forests (Evaluation), besides his regular duties in the office of Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Vigilance), is supervising the Intelligence work of the Cell. The secret information collected by the Forest Intelligence Cell has resulted in detection of serious offences and arrest of the accused especially in Wildlife crimes. Field officers have recognized the utility of information collated by the Intelligence Cell through secret sources.

A toll free telephone (No. 1800 425 4733) is installed in Forest Headquarters Thiruvananthapuram to receive complaints and information from the public. This facility is open for 24 hours. The information/complaints received in toll free telephone is recorded in the printed format and passed on to the concerned field officers for necessary further action .The Toll Free telephone facility started operating from 2006 onwards.