Telangana Mulls Deploying Armed Anti-Poaching Tiger Protection Force In Kawal And Amrabad Tiger Reserves

The forest department in Telangana has decided to set up an armed “State Tiger Protection Force” (STPF) to protect wild animals, including tigers and leopards, from the poachers, The New Indian Express has reported.

According to the report, the STF would have 112 personnel and its deployment would be done in forest areas in Kawal and Amrabad tiger reserves. An Assistant conservator of Forest would be assisted by three forest range officers, 81 guards and 26 forest watchers for the task at Kawal and Amrabad.

A meeting of the state forest protection committee (SFPC), held under the chairmanship of chief secretary SK Joshi on Tuesday (22 January) took the decision to set up STPF. Central and state governments would bear the cost in 60:40 ratio on the recurring expenditure of the STPF.

In addition to setting up of STPF, the SFPC sanctioned Rs 2.25 crore to take measures to prevent forest fire accidents. The committee also gave its nod to book cases under preventive detention (PD) act against those indulging in smuggling or any other forest offences. The officials would register cases of power pilferage and illegal use of power if anyone used power supply to kill the wild animals.

As per the report, police too would cooperate with the forest officials and will also help in removing encroachments in the forest areas. Police outposts would also be setup wherever required.