The MoEF's intervention came in the form of minister Jairam Ramesh sending an advisory to chief minister Naveen Patnaik, suggesting "urgent actions to strengthen the tiger status" in Similipal reserve. Ramesh said his letter was based on information obtained from a senior national tiger conservation authority (NTCA) official who visited Similipal recently.
Ramesh suggested a small contingent of state armed force be deployed in some of the villages on the fringes of the core zone which have the tradition of "akhand shikar" (animal hunting spree). The front line staff of Similipal should be provided with fire arms as done in other reserves in the country with necessary training by the local police. "This is essential to boost up the morale of such staff," the Union minister observed. The entry and exit points, besides traditional pathways leading to the reserve, should be manned by armed frontline staff and that the armed force in the park should do joint patrolling with the local staff. Read the full report here.
Source: Rajaram Satapathy, TNN, Bhubaneswar.
