Bhubaneswar: A few days before the work of the non-gazetted Forest Service Association is closed. Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) is struggling to get forest staff for field work, forcing officials to call in 120 police personnel and 100 forest staff from neighboring divisions to keep an eye on key areas and other vantage points Used to be.
Following the recent death of two of its colleagues at the hands of poachers, the Non-Gazetted Forest Service Association has decided to go on strike from July 10, demanding the safety, security and welfare of forest employees. But even before the siege work started, many people have started moving out of STR. At least 600 security assistants (contract field staff) have vacated the reserve, while over 100 forest guards have stopped field work, even as they remain at their places of posting.
Since the forest personnel know the topography of Similipal, they will assist the police personnel during patrolling.
Poachers will be kept away by joint patrolling in Similipal
As per requirement, three platoons of police force from Baripada have been deployed at convenient places. IGP (Eastern Range) Himanshu Lal said, “It is important to restore the lost confidence of the forest force at this time. Also, joint patrolling will help in keeping poachers away and instilling fear in their minds.”
Forest staff (who are not on strike) from Karanjia, Rairangpur and Baripada divisions have also been asked to join duty at Similipal to help tide over the shortage of staff.
However, Similipal field director Prakash Gogineni said, “With the police force having around 300 field staff present, there should not be any problem related to patrolling and routine field duties. The police personnel will stay in the camps set up.” ,
Earlier, the police had said that they would train forest personnel in handling guns and help come up with an SOP on ways to deal with confrontational situations during patrolling.
Following the recent death of two of its colleagues at the hands of poachers, the Non-Gazetted Forest Service Association has decided to go on strike from July 10, demanding the safety, security and welfare of forest employees. But even before the siege work started, many people have started moving out of STR. At least 600 security assistants (contract field staff) have vacated the reserve, while over 100 forest guards have stopped field work, even as they remain at their places of posting.
Since the forest personnel know the topography of Similipal, they will assist the police personnel during patrolling.
Poachers will be kept away by joint patrolling in Similipal
As per requirement, three platoons of police force from Baripada have been deployed at convenient places. IGP (Eastern Range) Himanshu Lal said, “It is important to restore the lost confidence of the forest force at this time. Also, joint patrolling will help in keeping poachers away and instilling fear in their minds.”
Forest staff (who are not on strike) from Karanjia, Rairangpur and Baripada divisions have also been asked to join duty at Similipal to help tide over the shortage of staff.
However, Similipal field director Prakash Gogineni said, “With the police force having around 300 field staff present, there should not be any problem related to patrolling and routine field duties. The police personnel will stay in the camps set up.” ,
Earlier, the police had said that they would train forest personnel in handling guns and help come up with an SOP on ways to deal with confrontational situations during patrolling.