Addressing a high-level meeting of State forest officials in the State capital here on Thursday, Shukla stressed upon the need for paying more attention to wildlife conservation. He directed that efforts should be made so that a strong message was dispatched that MP was very much serious about wildlife conservation.

The Minister informed that NTCA had directed for establishing a Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) in the State. He gave directions for discussing the issue with the police and pursuing the matter immediately. He revealed that this force would be deployed in Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench national parks.

Shukla directed for taking stringent action poachers. He said that certain communities and criminals were laying traps for poaching and a massive search operation should be started for nabbing these elements. He also directed for disposing off pending wildlife crime cases speedily. The Minister also directed for filling up vacant posts of veterinary experts at national parks.

While gathering information of the villages situated inside the reserve areas, Shukla was informed that till date 735 villages were situated in the reserved areas and 426 such villages would be displaced from these areas and 192 such villages would be kept inside the reserved areas as enclosure. Besides, 117 villages would either be placed from the reserved areas or would be relocated at other places with their consent.

State PCCF (wildlife) HS Pabla while informing about the STPF said that its one platoon would comprise of 1 DSP along with 1 SI, 6 head constables and 30 constables. The meeting was attended by PCCF PB Gangopadhyay, PCCF (wildlife) HS Pabla and other senior officials.