Dainik Nation News Portal
DAINIK NATION BUREAU/DEHRADUN
On the occasion of International Tiger Day, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the formation of a specialized Tiger Protection Force in Uttarakhand’s Corbett Tiger Reserve. He stated that trained Agniveers from the Agnipath Yojana will be deployed in this dedicated force. The initiative aims to enhance tiger conservation efforts and address growing threats such as poaching and illegal wildlife activities.
More than 80 youths from Uttarakhand will be recruited into the new force, which will work on the frontlines to prevent tiger poaching and protect the forest ecosystem. CM Dhami said the Agniveers, with their military discipline and training in modern technology, will prove highly effective in wildlife protection and forest security.
“The new force will not only help in curbing wildlife crimes but will also provide meaningful employment opportunities to the trained Agniveers of the state,” the Chief Minister said.
The Tiger Protection Force will conduct regular forest patrols, gather intelligence on illegal activities, and take swift action against poachers. Apart from curbing poaching, the force will also address issues such as timber smuggling, illegal mining, encroachment, and deforestation.
CM Dhami emphasized the importance of conserving tiger habitats and managing human-wildlife conflict, noting that incidents of tigers straying into human settlements have been increasing. The force will be trained to handle such conflicts sensitively to avoid harm to both people and wildlife.
To boost the force’s efficiency, modern surveillance equipment such as drones, GPS tracking systems, and thermal imaging devices may be introduced. “Agniveers are familiar with strategic planning and advanced communication systems, making them ideal for this crucial conservation task,” Dhami added.
Stressing the role of local knowledge, the Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand’s youth are better suited to navigate the terrain and climate challenges of the region. Their involvement will also foster community participation in conservation efforts.
Dhami expressed hope that if this model proves successful, it could be replicated in other tiger reserves across the country, bolstering national efforts to save the endangered big cats.
