KOLHAPUR: The state forest department has decided to set up 11 additional check posts in the Koyna and Chandoli sanctuaries that have been identified for inclusion in its ambitious Sahyadri Tiger Project.
The number of check posts would be increased as the state government found that the existing five inadequate to check the illegal felling and smuggling of medicinal plants from the core zones of the sanctuaries.
The Sahyadri Tiger Project is a reserved forest area located in the eco-sensitive zones of the Western Ghats.
An official in the forest department said, "The state government has allocated Rs 2 crore for setting up of the check posts and providing communication equipment. Discussion on providing the personnel with firearms is on at the state-level."
The two major threats that the state government has identified for the range are illegal tree felling and poaching. The new posts will come up at various villages located near or inside the areas earmarked for the core forest area.
