Latest news with #STPF
Time of India
20 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Year-round rations help boost tiger force morale, curb poaching: Similipal director
Bhubaneswar: Providing rations to the 800-strong protection force throughout the year, the only reserve in the country to do so, has helped raise motivation levels and reduce poaching cases, authorities of Similipal Tiger Reserve said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Started last year, the initiative costs the forest department Rs 1.8 crore annually. "While the initiative has significantly reduced poaching, it has also improved staff attendance and morale. The protection team, comprising Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) personnel, ex-Army members and protection assistants, has shown improved commitment to their duties through the unique measure. Monthly, we spend around Rs 1,800 per personnel towards ration costs. The field personnel are able to get better nutrition, keep fatigue at bay, maintain energy and work on a timely basis. There is hardly any instance of unauthorised leave," said Similipal field director Prakash Gogineni. Authorities said Similipal used to report at least five poaching and attempted poaching cases a month, which has now dropped to one. "Apart from sincerity, loyalty and raised motivation levels of staff because of free rations, the use of technology, especially AI and infra-red cameras, introduction of all-terrain vehicles and firearms, have helped check poaching incidents," Gogineni added. Wildlife officials said there is not a single patch in the 2,750sq km area of Similipal which is inaccessible now, thanks to technology, staff welfare and high-end vehicles. In monsoon, the wildlife wing used to deploy a separate strategy for foot patrolling as most of the forest routes were inhospitable. Now, the situation has changed. "In all the anti-poaching and STPF camps, there are cooks and mess leaders who plan the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now An experienced staffer among them does the cooking. They stock up the groceries for a week. Since it is hilly terrain, groceries have to be brought in small trucks to the camps. When the forest department was not providing rations, the field staff used to get tired while negotiating the hilly terrain," said a wildlife officer. Each STPF team has 25 personnel, comprising 5 from STPF, 5 ex-Army and 15 protection assistants, who are not regular employees. Mostly, they carry out patrolling along the footpaths in the deep forest where poachers operate. However, each team has been provided with a specialised ATV. They carry walkie-talkies but the control room or their base camps receive distress calls from the field personnel in case of lightning or if they are attacked by poachers, wildlife officials said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Union min launches gharial conservation plan at Katarniaghat
Bahraich: Union minister for environment, forest and climate change, Bhupender Yadav , inaugurated the Gharial Species Conservation Programme by releasing seven young gharials into the Gerua river in Katarniaghat wildlife sanctuary. The event marked a significant step in the conservation of the critically endangered reptile species. During a boat safari, the minister observed dolphins, otters, and gharials in their natural habitat. He described the experience as "unforgettable" and praised Katarniaghat as a unique blend of grasslands, woodlands, and flowing river landscapes, offering breathtaking natural beauty. Yadav emphasized the ecological importance of forests and wildlife, calling them the "natural heritage of the Earth" that help maintain ecological balance and enrich human life. He highlighted India's rich biodiversity and called for community-based conservation approaches. During his visit to Dudhwa tiger reserve and interactions with public representatives, forest officials, NGOs, and villagers, the minister received 25–30 suggestions for improving forest and wildlife conservation. He announced that these suggestions would be incorporated into a comprehensive action plan aimed at reducing human-wildlife conflict and ensuring sustainable coexistence. Yadav also reiterated the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for community-driven development and healthy environments. He urged the public to contribute to environmental preservation by planting at least one tree in their name. The minister held discussions with members of the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF), distributed jungle patrol kits, and was shown a documentary on Katarniaghat. He also participated in a session on innovative community engagement strategies to involve local communities in forest and tribal conservation efforts. Key topics during the presentation by the divisional forest officer (DFO) included human-wildlife conflict mitigation, community engagement strategies, wildlife rescue operations, CSR based lighting installations in forest-adjacent areas. The minister concluded his visit by touring the NIC facility and signing the feedback wall, affirming the govt commitment to preserving India's unique ecosystems. Senior officials including principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Anuradha Vemuri, additional principal chief conservator (project tiger) Lalit Verma, and Dudhwa field director H. Rajamohan were present on the occasion.
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Solidarity group representing Jenu Kuruba Adivasis submit letter to senior forest officials demanding withdrawal of forces in Nagarahole
Representatives of a solidarity group met the Karnataka Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and the PCCF (Head of Forest Forces) on Monday and urged them to withdraw uniformed forces in Karadikallu, Nagarahole. The representatives of over 70 social and environmental organisations, youth groups, experts and professionals submitted a letter to the PCCF stating that the forces are threatening 150 Jenu Kuruba adivasis with forced eviction which is in gross violation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) provisions. 'The collective submitted this letter to the PCCF in light of the recent tense situation that has been unfolding in Karadikallu Hattur Kollehaadi, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve from May 5 onwards, where over 120 paramilitary troops of the Forest Department, the State police, and the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) have been deployed to intimidate members of the Jenu Kuruba tribe, with threats to forcibly evict them,' the representatives said in a statement. It further said that on May 5 and 6, 52 families of Karadikallu returned to reclaim their ancestral village from which they were forcibly evicted in 1982-83. 'Since then, they have been facing intimidation tactics, with paramilitary troops threatening the Jenu Kuruba members, dismantling structures, including sacred sites and temporary sites for menstruating women, blocking of access to the village by Forest Department officials, amounting to a gross infringement of constitutionally guaranteed rights under the FRA,' it further said. In their letter, apart from demanding the withdrawal of STPF and other armed forces they called of initiating an immediate dialogue with members of the Nagarahole Adivasi Jammapale Hakku Sthapana Samiti (NAJHSS) and the Karadikallu FRC to address grievances and ensure democratic and participatory resolution. 'Allow free and fair media access to Nagarahole to report the situation and speak with affected community members, upholding transparency and accountability. Immediately recognise and approve the IFR, CFR, and CFRR claims of all the 52 families of Karadikallu Hattur Kollehaadi as per the FRA, based on the claims filed in 2021 and the completed joint verification,' were among the other demands.
