As part of the project aimed at tiger conservation in the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, the Forest Department has formed a Tiger Cell, a first-of-its-kind venture in the state, based on the guidelines of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
According to the order issued by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden V Gopinathan, the cell will focus on matters related to protection and intelligence-gathering in the buffer zone of the Reserve. “The Tiger Cell will monitor the investigation of cases relating to tigers and leopards. It will collect intelligence by working with agencies like Crime Control Bureau and the police. It will monitor and survey the animals to keep track of any poaching activities in the area, identify and record trade routes and potential marketing of poached animals.
“It will monitor patrolling in the core and buffer areas of the Tiger Reserve. The cell will also monitor the tiger population in the reserve. It has been asked to prepare records on incidents of tigers preying on cattle,” the order stated. Conservator of Forests and Field Director (Project Tiger), Wildlife Circle, Palakkad, would be the chairperson of the Tiger Cell while deputy director of the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve will be the member secretary. The members of the Tiger Cell will meet every six months to assess the situation.
The cell can seek expert opinion and invite them for the meeting as part of conservation project.
