The State Government has decided to instal CCTV cameras in different forest divisions to keep vigil on hunters, poachers and wood smugglers, said Forest and Environment Department Secretary RK Sharma while addressing a gathering at the 60th Wildlife Week celebrations here on Sunday.
Besides two tiger reserves, Similipal and Satkosia, Sharma said, the close circuit cameras would now be used in vulnerable pockets to identify poachers and hunters.
Department sources said CCTVs have been installed at the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary and such systems need to be extended to other places for better wildlife protection. Sambalpur Wildlife Division has been identified for the next round of installation of CCTV cameras.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) JD Sharma said the cameras would be installed at various entry points, check-gates, core areas and vulnerable points. As many as 250 CCTV cameras would be installed in various forest divisions such as Chandaka, Ghumsar, Bamra and Similipal in the first phase, he added.