The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) wing of the police has already submitted a list of detailed suggestions in the last meeting of the State Wildlife Advisory Board to make anti-poaching operations of the Forest Department more effective.

Mr RN Saxena, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) while speaking to The Pioneer said, " The Forest Department has been working with the police for some time now. The cooperation would be strengthened."

The prominent suggestions made by the police include a regular weekly review of cases by senior officers, attachment of forest personnel with police personnel in sensitive districts, involvement of police officials and the public prosecutor in district-level meetings, checking at places falling in the transit route of wildlife merchandise, training of forest officials in investigation techniques, training of prosecutors in various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act and appointment of a special prosecutor for dealing with cases of poaching as in the case of narcotics.

The police have also suggested that the Forest Department could consider transferring cases involving animals like the tiger and the panther to the police for investigation.

They have also proposed the involvement of the judiciary in district-level meetings of the anti-poaching squads.The police have also suggested that the Forest Department make provision for payment of compensation to people who have lost livestock in animal attacks.

Mr Saxena also said that the agenda presented by the police would be taken up in the next meeting of the Tiger Cell that is slated to be held very soon.He added that a Wildlife Crime Containment workshop is also to be held from April 18. A greater role of the police was sought after the Forest Department realised that the prosecution rate in cases of wildlife crimes was very low. The Forest Department field staff was also found lacking in successfully investigating wildlife crimes that led to the accused often going scot free.