New Delhi, June 25
The government today decided to form a dedicated task force for tiger conservation and wildlife sanctuaries in the country after the CBI, in its presentation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said it had evidence that 10 tigers had been poached during the past two years in the Sariska forest reserve, covered under Project Tiger.
The government also decided to strengthen the laws relating to poaching.
The decision to this effect was taken after CBI Director U. S. Misra presented the findings of the premier investigating agency on poaching of tigers in Sariska to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The task force will have members from the Forest Department, the CBI and other agencies.
Mr Misra told reporters that there was a discussion on legal aspects and the concerted view was that laws relating to poaching should be reviewed and bail in such cases should not be easy.
About the number of tigers poached in Sariska, the CBI Director said there was some evidence that 10 tigers had been poached during the past two years.
“The Rajasthan police has also handed over four cases to the CBI, which will be taken up in due course of time,” Mr Misra said.
He said the CBI findings had also emphasised on providing better firepower, including latest equipment to forest and police officials guarding tiger conservation areas or wildlife sanctuaries.
“Poachers are armed and, therefore, it is necessary that forest officials have better arms and ammunition,” Mr Misra said.
The CBI report had already indicated that the latest census of the tigers was an inflated one.
It was also agreed that better training should be provided to forest and police officials to counter poachers.
In its report, the CBI has said poaching of tigers increases during the monsoon.
The Environment and Forest Ministry is working on having a Wildlife Crime Bureau, which is expected to be ready soon.
