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Patrolling intensified at Sariska

Special Correspondent

Bid to ward off large-scale invasion of cattle and grazers

JAIPUR: Combing operations have been intensified in the Sariska Tiger Sanctuary in Alwar district of Rajasthan to ward off large-scale invasion of cattle and grazers into the territory at this time of the year. Referred to as "monsoon patrolling", the vigil is being carried out with the support of Home Guards and jawans of Rajasthan Armed Constabulary besides the regular forest staff and work charge employees.

Altogether 350 personnel would be on night patrolling in the sanctuary along 120 select routes. "The patrolling would on in the selected routes in all the four ranges -- Sariska, Tehla, Talvriksh and Akbarpur -- in the sanctuary," said the Director of the reserve, Somshekhar, from Sariska on phone. "The force comprises 160 work charge employees, 90 forest guards and 100 Home Guard jawans."

The sanctuary, much in the news in the past for its missing wild tigers, is closed to visitors. This is the second year Sariska is closed for outsiders during the monsoon though this has been the practice for the past many years in the other Project Tiger sanctuary in the State, Ranthambhore National Park.

The Sariska reserve faces maximum threat from cattle growers during the monsoon period as the traditional feedstocks get depleted at this time. The monsoon invaders apparently are after the fresh sprout of grass that the initial rains had brought, but at times they also facilitate the activities of the poachers as informers, both about the movement of the wild animals as well as the forest officials.

The patrolling parties would guard the sensitive areas and locations vulnerable to poaching. "We don't say that the grazers necessarily abet the poachers though at times they are made use of by hunters for information gathering," Mr. Somshekhar said.

In fact, during the monsoon residents of the villages adjoining the sanctuary pitch tents inside the forest area and start living there temporarily while tending the cattle and the buffaloes.

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