Independent tiger cell in Rajasthan soon

Jaipur, Jan 12 (UNI) Rajasthan will soon form a tiger cell, which will have the power to carry out independent raids in the forest to apprehend poachers and criminals.

The state steering committee, which met at Sariska on Wednesday said the tiger cell, comprising police officers and young, enterprising forest officers, would be authorised to carry out independent raids when required. These officers would be provided with vehicles to carry out the raids.

Rajpal Singh, a member of the steering committee, told UNI another highlight of the cell would be a hefty reward for the informers, as incentive to spill the beans on the poachers.

Even as the state government wants to speed the formation of the cell, the funds from the central government are posing a problem in its formation.

Since the state government has decided to get the cell functioning from the next financial year, its financial allocation has to be made in the coming budget.

The steering committee also dwelled on the issue of reintroduction of tigers in Sariska, water shortage in the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur and others such issues.

UNI