Mumbai, May 23: Alarmed by the deaths of two tigers in Maharashtra forest reserves, state Forest Minister Patangrao Kadam announced that over 500 armed guards will be recruited for the four forest reserves of the state and will be given shoot at sight orders against poachers.
This comes a week after an alert by the state Forest Department that poachers in Madhya Pradesh have been paid an advance of Rs. 40 lakhs to kill 25 tigers.
Mr Kadam announced that 523 new guards will be recruited soon and will be deployed at four forest reserves of the state -- Tadoba, Pench, Melghat and Sahyadri. He also added that no action would be taken against those armed guards who shoot suspected poachers.
The minister lamented the fact that two tigers died after they were caught in a steel trap and died in Tadoba forest reserve in Chandrapur district. "A CID inquiry has been instituted to find out whether they died because of poaching or were electrocuted," he added.
Mr Kadam has also appointed a four-member committee of experts to advise the government on steps to be taken for precautions against poaching of tigers.
Steps have also been taken to keep electricity supply in check as one of the reasons for deaths of tigers has been electrocution. The irrigation department has also been alerted to ensure maximum water holes.
As many as 100 new patrol vehicles for range officers have also been allotted. Teams of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) have been deployed in these forests.
A secret fund of Rs.50 lakh has also been sanctioned to give incentives to informers providing tips about smugglers and poachers to the forest officials.
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