Bhubaneswar: The state government has deployed 14 newly customised vehicles for protection of Similipal Tiger Reserve.
The vehicles are fitted with winches that would be helpful in rescue operations, particularly during the monsoon, official sources said here on Thursday.
Remote-controlled movable searchlight has been fitted on each vehicle giving it a 360° view at night. The vehicles have been painted in olive green to camouflage it in the forest and avoid detection by poachers. Seats along with hoods have been provided in the back to accommodate maximum number of frontline staff.
The office of the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) in a statement said the vehicles will be deployed in sensitive areas, particularly the core area for use by Similipal Special Tiger Protection Force, joint task force and other frontline staff.
“The vehicles have been modified to suit the working environment inside Similipal. It will enable the movement of frontline staff by travelling on the steep ghat roads as well as muddy dirt roads during the monsoon,” said the PCCF (wildlife) office.
Similipal is the sixth largest tiger reserve in the country in terms of geographical area and one of the densest in terms of forest cover. It has a 1011.5 km length of road network connecting 214 anti-poaching camps, 16 watchtowers and 19 check posts.
The vehicles are fitted with winches that would be helpful in rescue operations, particularly during the monsoon, official sources said here on Thursday.
Remote-controlled movable searchlight has been fitted on each vehicle giving it a 360° view at night. The vehicles have been painted in olive green to camouflage it in the forest and avoid detection by poachers. Seats along with hoods have been provided in the back to accommodate maximum number of frontline staff.
The office of the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) in a statement said the vehicles will be deployed in sensitive areas, particularly the core area for use by Similipal Special Tiger Protection Force, joint task force and other frontline staff.
“The vehicles have been modified to suit the working environment inside Similipal. It will enable the movement of frontline staff by travelling on the steep ghat roads as well as muddy dirt roads during the monsoon,” said the PCCF (wildlife) office.
Similipal is the sixth largest tiger reserve in the country in terms of geographical area and one of the densest in terms of forest cover. It has a 1011.5 km length of road network connecting 214 anti-poaching camps, 16 watchtowers and 19 check posts.