GREATER VIGIL: Tamil Nadu and Kerala will work jointly to protect the forest wealth of the Anamalais in the Western Ghats. — Photo:M. Balaji

POLLACHI: Tamil Nadu and Kerala, who share borders of the biodiversity rich Anamalais in the Western Ghats, have evolved a joint strategy to curb poaching, smuggling of wildlife articles, sandalwood and timber and cultivation of ganja.

Senior forest officials and field staff from the two States met at Top Slip in the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, 35 km from here, on Monday to discuss inter-State forest protection.

The meeting was held after a three-year gap.

They exchanged information on vulnerable areas and routes, lists of habitual offenders and their photographs and settlements where habitual offenders may be residing. Maps of anti-poaching camps were also shared, officials said.

The authorities decided to conduct joint patrolling to block the smuggling routes. Lists of anti-poaching watchers who would participate in the periodical joint patrolling were also exchanged.

Mobile numbers

The communication network was beefed up by exchanging mobile numbers of field officials. Emergency response teams were formed to crack down on smuggling by sharing crucial intelligence information. There would be joint checking of vehicles at check-posts.

Conservators of Forests P.C. Tyagi (Coimbatore Circle), O.P. Kaler (High Range Circle - Kottayam), Bennichan Thomas (Field Director of Project Tiger, Kottayam), Wildlife Wardens K.R. Varadharajan (Pollachi), Sanjayankumar (Parambikulam) and Roy P. Thomas (Munnar) participated.

"We exchanged all the information. Unlike in earlier meetings, both the sides came fully prepared this time and we jointly chalked out the future course of action," Mr. Tyagi told The Hindu .

Both States would protect inaccessible areas with the help of officials from the neighbouring State. "... In such cases, particularly in the Valparai region, we will protect their (Kerala) areas by approaching them from our side. They will reciprocate."

Serious problem

Noting that the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary shares a 99-km border with Kerala, Mr. Varadarajan said smuggling of sandalwood in and around the sanctuary was a serious problem as tribals of Udumalpet, Amaravathy, Manambolly and Valparai Ranges were involved. Joint patrolling was essential to curb this.

The next meeting will be held at Munnar in July.

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