Following the killing of two forest frontline personnel in Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district in a month, Union Minister of Environment and Forest Bhupender Yadav has suggested to the state government to step up intelligence network, patrolling and combing operations in the area. In a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Yadav expressed concern over the situation and requested him to issue directives to all authorities concerned to ensure utmost vigil and compliance. He also assured the Union ministry's cooperation and continued support to the state for the protection of wildlife as well as forest frontline personnel deployed in the reserve. “Odisha is one of our important tiger range states harbouring the unique melanistic tiger in Similipal. To ensure protection of the tiger and well-being of the forest frontline force, in tiger bearing landscapes, it is necessary to make concerted efforts to uphold tiger conservation initiatives,” the minister wrote in the letter. Yadav’s letter assumes significance in view of the recent poacher attacks in Similipal in which a forest guard, Bimal Kumar Jena (35), and a forester, Mathy Hansdah (40), were killed on May 22 and June 16, respectively, while patrolling the forest. The police have arrested three persons in connection with Jena's murder, while 10 others have been arrested in Mathy's murder case. The Union environment ministry had recently sent a high-level team, led by the Director General of Forests and Special Secretary, to Similipal reserve. The team has submitted a detailed report highlighting the issues requiring immediate attention. Though the details of the report are yet to be revealed, official sources said the Central team has suggested strengthening the intelligence network within the reserve to get information on poachers and to enhance patrolling. Around 8,000 forest frontline workers, including guards, foresters and deputy rangers, across Odisha are on a symbolic protest over the killing of two of their colleagues by poachers in the past one month. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, wildlife, S K Popli said they have mobilised the rangers, assistant conservator of forests and senior officers for patrolling inside the tiger reserve, while over 500 protection assistants are currently patrolling within the range. Popli said the demands of forest staff are being discussed at an appropriate level.
