With gun-totting tribals, most of them being poachers, living around the Similipal Tiger Reserve busy in the election process to earn the quick buck, it is super serene for the animals. Similipal in Mayurbhanj district goes to poll on June 1. For close to a year, a tug-of-war is going on between poachers and forest and police personnel since two forest personnel were killed by poachers. In a counter move, forest staff and police seized hundreds of country-made guns to root out poaching. For the past two months, there has been a lull in poaching activities and respite for animals and field personnel.
Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) authorities have decided to procure at least 10 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to douse forest fires in inaccessible areas. The ATVs will enable staff to quickly access active fire points in the inhospitable terrain of Similipal. Learn more about this initiative.
The state forest department is proposing the introduction of female tigers from central India to Similipal Tiger Reserve in order to address in-breeding and maintain a healthy population. The proposal aims to infuse fresh blood into the gene pool and prevent the collapse of the tiger population in the reserve.
The Similipal Tiger Reserve has hired ex-servicemen to assist its Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) in patrolling and countering poachers in deep forests. Their presence will also help carry out anti-poaching operations during monsoon. STR has been allotted highest 128 guns out of which 33 include Excalibur guns (assault rifles) to arm the STPF, rangers and foresters.