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Friday, January 8, 2010

Karnataka tigers to get special guards

BANGALORE: Karnataka will soon have a Special Tiger Protection Force (STP), in line with the forest paramilitary force, the state government’s action taken report on elephant conservation which was submitted in the High Court recently, states.

The government proposal for a special force to protect tigers has been approved by the National Tiger Conservation Authority. Tribal people and villagers inhabiting within national park premises will also be part of the proposed STP. It will include one representative from the Central Police Force and other from the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the state government says in its action taken report.

As per the report, 90 posts will be filled with special tiger guards selected by direct recruitment, out of which 27 posts will be open to local tribals and villagers inhabiting inside the Bandipur and Nagarhole tiger reserves. The 112-personnel force will also comprise one assistant of a Conservator of Forests, three Range Forest Officers and 18 Foresters. The Additional Director General of Police (Recruitment and Training), Bangalore, has agreed that the police department will be in a position to undertake training of these Special Tiger Guards at their Yelahanka training unit, the report indicates.

Recently, the government has given its go-ahead to recruit 37 elephant kawadies.

Forty-eight kawadies are already working as assistants to the mahouts.

Also, the government has started the recruitment process of 125 Range Forest Officers, 200 Foresters and 800 Forest Guards.

Compensation raised The government has enhanced the compensation amount payable for human injury from Rs 5,800 to Rs 45,000, depending on the case, and the crop damage compensation has been increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000. In cases of injuries, the government has decided to reimburse medical expenditure.

(This is the second part of the series that started on Jan 7, with “Jumbos to be hemmed in for conservation”)

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