Bhubaneswar: To protect tigers and other wild animals from poachers, the Forest Department has deployed a special tiger protection force (STPF) in the Satkosia Tiger Reserve.
The second such force in the state, STPF has been formed as part of Satkosia’s commitment to enhance security measures ahead of resumption of the big cat translocation project in the protected area for which the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) gave its green signal recently. The first such force was first introduced in Similipal Tiger Reserve in the State.
“The second one in Odisha for guarding our Tiger Reserve. A Special Tiger Protection force comes up in Satkosia as per the mandate of NTCA to take on the poachers,” Chief Wildlife Warden and PCCF, Wildlife, Susanta Nanda said on X.
Shri Nanda wished the STPF members very best as it is going to be a hard and arduous task for the green soldiers in days to come.
Dressed in black uniform, the force is well-equipped with arms and other equipment required for round the clock patrolling. Apart from taking part in special operations against poachers, they will also operate in civil dress supporting and strengthening the ground intelligence and information network of Satkosia, forest officials said.