The proposal to form the STPF, a dedicated force for the tiger reserve, was submitted by the wildlife forest department of Kolhapur in 2013. The tiger reserve is at present protected by forest guards. The force is equipped with arms and ammunition and similar teams are currently deployed at Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserve and Pench tiger reserve in the state.

A team of 40 STPF will be led by range forest officer, according to the forest officials. Officials said that it would take a few months for the force to come into existence under the recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

"This is a big help from the government for Sahyadri tiger reserve. It will definitely strengthen the STR's overall protection. STPF's role is to protect the borders of the protected region and to make sure no poaching or illegal activities are happening. Presently, the forest guards are taking care of the security; which will be replaced by STPF soon," Saiprakash, chief conservator of forests (wildlife) of Kolhapur division told TOI.

According to him, STR is improving day by day as forest department is bridging the gap in capacity building, staff planning and monitoring. "Nowadays, forest conservation cannot be done in isolation. It has to be multifaceted involving villagers, naturalist, non-governmental organizations and firm resolve of the government," he said.

Saiprakash hopes that the addition of nearly 40 armed personnel into the forest department will reduce the burden on forest guards. "Once the reserve security is handover to the STPF, the present staff can then concentrate on the habitat development and other related activities such as ecotourism," he added.

Wildlife lovers and experts have welcomed the decision and suggested that the state government follow up with the Union ministry for the early deployment of the STPF. Experts also suggested the department to make sure the armed staff has gone through rigorous training from police academy as well.

"There are few points in STR, especially those which are bordering to the Konkan region, are most vulnerable for poaching. Valmiki or Bhairavgad areas often witness poaching activities. The deployment of armed forces would curb such activities," Rohan Bhate, honorary wildlife warden of Satara district said.

Bhate believes that it is not just the tigers, but the entire ecosystem of the Sahyadri forests that is protected. "The region hosts two major reservoirs such as Koyna and Chandoli and also origin of several rivers. Western Maharashtra and Konkan are solely dependent on the STR. So any protection to this forest region is always welcoming step," he said.

Sanjay Karkare, assistant director of Bombay Natural History Society, who is working in Vidarbha forests suggested the department must not avoid the training for the proposed STPF men.

"I would like to see a force trained by police academy. We have come to know that such training has benefited in Pench forest management. Besides, the range forest officer or the assistant conservator of forest leading the STPF must have additional powers to tackle the situation. It won't be an effective force if for every reason, the officer is contacting his seniors for the next move," Karkare said.