MP awaits final nod for Tiger Strike Force
| Date :19-Sep-2019 |
By Ankita Garg:
With an aim to put tab on poaching of wildlife across Madhya Pradesh, the Forest Department is all set to form Tiger Strike Force in several steps. In first step, force will be assigned in Bandhavgarh, Pench and Kanha Tiger Reserve. Though final nod to the appointment of force is yet to be given by the Centre, MP Forest Department has started preparation with detailed chart. The department will be recruiting field guards age from 18 to 25 years old. They will retire from the service at the age of 62 years. There is also proposal to allow the guards for using the arms in case of need. It would help them to tighten the security provision and poachers would be scared of force.
According to forest officials, one company will be appointed for each tiger reserve under guidance of Assistant Chief Conservator. Each company will be consisting 112 members including three rangers, 22 deputy Vanpal and 36 forest guards. Government will be spending annually amount of Rs 10 crore on recruitment of employees, salary and arrears and Rs 6.60 crore would be spent on resources at once. The force will be working under direction of the park or tiger reserve director. Formation of the Tiger Strike Force is pending in Madhya Pradesh for more than seven years. Madhya Pradesh has registered most number of tiger deaths due to poaching.
Since year 2012 to 2018, 30 tigers have been reportedly died in state due to poaching. As per Census 2018, population of tigers in Madhya Pradesh is highest in country with 526 tigers. Concerned over the tag of a Tiger State, Forest Department has raised proposal of forming the force. MP Forest Department has sent three-point proposal to the Centre that includes recruitment of Jawans and deputation of police officials. Government has also demanded fund for the formation of force from centre. Sources said that Centre agreed to release 60% of the fund required for formation of Tiger Strike Force and State Government will be submitting undertaking for the remaining 40% fund. Dr U Prakasham, Chief Wildlife Warden, said, “Proposal has been sent for formation of tiger protection force.
After undertaking of fund by both Centre and State Government, recruitment process will begin. Currently, we are waiting for final nod of the Government.” He further informed that State has already a tiger strike force operating in Hoshangabad, Sagar, Satna, Indore and Bhopal divisions. The team has made tiger poaching restricted at certain level in their areas. He further informed that proposal is there to deploy six different companies in all the six tiger reserves of state. Each company will be including around 100 Jawans who will be securing the entry point to Buffer and Core area of reserves. After deployment of the force, no one will be allowed to enter or exit the reserve area without completing the formalities. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) will be monitoring the teams. Centre has directed all states to form the force during year 2012. At the time, Centre was agreed to release 50% of the fund but State Government did not show interest towards the proposal. Karnataka Forest Department formed the force during year 2012 and become first in country to have its own tiger protection force.