Madhya Pradesh forms special force to protect tiger

Bhopal, March 17 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh has set up a Tiger Strike Force (TSF), made up of 138 former servicemen, to protect the animal in the state's national parks, Minister of State for Forests Rajendra Shukla said here Tuesday.

In a written reply, Shukla informed the state assembly that the headquarter of the force is at Bhopal while regional centres were set up at five places - Indore, Satna, Itarsi, Sagar and Jabalpur.

'As much as 10 percent of the forest land was declared as national parks and sanctuaries, and strict measures were adopted to ensure the security of wildlife,' Shukla said, adding that 50 patrolling vehicles were deployed, 361 patrolling camps, 86 watch towers and 136 check-posts were set up for keeping a vigil in the forest ranges.

Several other steps, including constitution of state-level and district-level Tiger Cells to facilitate communication between forest and police departments, have been taken to protect the tigers, he said.

An informer system has also been started and the department will reward people giving information about forest crimes, the minister added.