Orrisa CM wants central forces for forest protection

Given the large scale violence being perpetrated by maoists across the red corridor and the collateral damage it is causing to tiger reserves in affected states Orissa CMs demand yesterday for CRPF to be deployed at Similipal might initiate a debate on how best to protect these parks. It is worth noting that Similipal in Orrisa has borne the brunt of maoists as well as land mafia in recent months. With forest protection staff driven out by crime syndiate media reports have cited a free for all inside the park with poaching, tree felling going on rampantly. Asking for CRPF protection might be a desperate cry for help but central forest ministry might want to pay heed to such demands. Recently at the Tiger conservation meet at Sariska, NTCA head had proposed taking off those reserves off list which are affected by serious maoist violence and where both counting and protection has not been carried out at all. Rather than leaving these areas to their own the ministry should work along side Home ministry to chalk out a action plan to protect these areas. With the home ministry planning a full scale offensive against the red brigade post monsoon it might betime for the MOEF to get into the picture and move in to take steps towards protecting forest areas.

Naveen urges centre to deploy CRPF at sanctuaries , national parks in state

http://www.odishatoday.com/orissa_2/Naveen_urges_centre_to_deploy_CRPF_180809-6756746545434344234.html