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Women throw security ring around Dudhwa tigers

Dudhwa reserve is 30% short of required strength of forest guards.

The tigers of Dudhwa reserve are under the vigil of women this monsoon. Every day, 24 women home guards cover a distance of 8-12 km on foot to protect the tiger terrain from poachers. 

Their tip-off helped the reserve authorities nab six poachers who were caught with spears and traps. These women are among 82 personnel trained as home guards by the department of youth welfare and Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD) of UP government. 

They have been employed by Dudhwa reserve to bridge shortage of security personnel. Dudhwa reserve is 30% short of required strength of forest guards. Against sanctioned strength of 297, the reserve has only 198 forest guards. "More than 70% of the forest guards of Dudhwa are above 50 years.

Since they are familiar with every nook and corner of Dudhwa they should be roped in to train the young guards instead of putting them on vigil duties," said reserve's deputy director VK Singh. 

Most of the 82 PRD personnel are in 25-30 age group and tharus. This is an advantage because there are 37 tharu villages in the vicinity of Dudhwa. Tharu women are used as conduits in wildlife crime. Employing them as guards is advantageous because they are good source of information too, said an official.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority has sanctioned Rs 30 lakh for wages of PRD personnel. Forest department is planning to continue their services after the monsoon as well


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/...215334.cms Reply