Tiger Conservation in Uttarakhand- Protecting Big Cats from the Brink of Extinction

Securing Corbett

Expressing concern over the dwindling numbers of tigers in Corbett National Park, the government has taken up many important steps to defend the tigers from poachers:

Project Tiger:

We are already aware that ‘Project Tiger’ was first launched in Corbett National Park with the objective of protecting the tigers from extinction. The project is doing a commendable job so far, and is well assisted and funded by the government. The project was rolled out in the year 1973. Besides safeguarding the big cats from poaching in Jim Corbett National Park, the project also aims to increase the tiger count by way of breeding.

Patrolling with High-Tech Gadgets

It is another important anti poaching effort taken up by the government to control the shrinking number of the tigers. The government has set up a control room in Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) and the patrolling team has been equipped with the GPS gadgets. The activities of the patrolling teams are monitored regularly on the computer screens in the control room. The forest staff has also been provided with the latest weapons thanks to the Rs 2-crore which has been kept aside for the purchase of weapons.

Formation of Special Tiger Protection Force

Soon, a Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) will be set up in the CTR to keep a tab on poaching activities. The task force will be supervised by the additional chief conservator of forests. The forest officials will now be given ‘immunity’ whereby if they kill any poacher, then they will not be arrested immediately. Instead, they will be first required to face a magisterial enquiry and if it is proved that the officials are not guilty, they will let off. A budget of Rs 1-crore has been earmarked for the STPF on an annual basis.