The Tiger Protection Squad, comprising five persons, is fully armed and will serve as a strike force. It will be on the move constantly in vehicles and will report to higher authorities at regular intervals. All the 38 anti-poaching camps in Bandipur have been strengthened. In addition, 20 Monsoon Patrolling Camps have been established to increase security.

R. Raju, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bandipur National Park, told The Hindu that they had specific information about the presence of a nomadic community from Madhya Pradesh and Kerala who had fanned out from Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Wayanad in Kerala. Therefore, the Forest Department had taken proactive measures to thwart any attempt to target the tigers.

The decision to increase security in and around Bandipur comes closely in the wake of reports of tigers being decimated at Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

The intelligence alert has been taken seriously in view of the latest reports by the National Tiger Conservation Authority that Bandipur, along with Nagarahole, Mudumalai and Wayanad, is the best bet for long-term conservation of tigers. Bandipur, along with Nagarahole, has a tiger population in the range of 120 to 140.

The intelligence report also assumes significance in view of the rapid decline in the number of tigers due to poaching in Madhya Pradesh and the growth in Karnataka’s tiger population. This, authorities fear, may have turned the attention of the poachers’ network to the hitherto safe forests of south India. “The changing scenario has forced us to be on guard,” said Mr. Raju.

The timing of the poachers’ network is significant as the south-west monsoon has intensified and the mobility of forest guards inside the jungles is limited owing to heavy rain. Only foot patrolling is possible as the roads are in bad condition. “Hence the anti-poaching camps along the borders are on high alert. They are functional 24x7 and each camp has been provided with wireless sets. They report to the higher authorities on a regular basis,” said Mr. Raju. The Forest Department has also asked the local community on the fringes of Bandipur to inform them about the presence of strangers. Surveillance of all watering holes has also been ordered.

Mr. Raju said that a nomadic community from Kerala was on the move and tended to camp inside the national park during the monsoon. He said that they waited near large watering holes where animals invariably gathered. “So all major water holes are being covered by the anti-poaching camps,” Mr. Raju added.

Given the seriousness of the situation, the authorities have sought cooperation from Kerala and Tamil Nadu authorities.