In pursuance of Chief Minister Harish Rawat’s instructions following the recent seizure of tiger pelts and bones, Additional Chief Secretary S Ramaswamy chaired a meeting with senior officials here on Thursday.
It was stated in the meeting that for the immediate sourcing of 100 personnel through Uttarakhand Purva Sainik Kalyan Nigam limited (UPNl) or Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD) for forest patrolling a sum of `50 lakh has been allocated under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) for the initial five months.
The divisional forest officers are being provided `25 lakh additional amount for gathering of intelligence information. It was also stated that monetary amount had also been provided for making provision of five additional field vehicles in Corbett tiger reserve while the required procedure is underway for other vehicles and amendments.
Additional money has also been provided for forest routes and patrolling. A sum of `3 crore has been released under Uttarakhand CAMPA for this purpose.
Further, a proposal has also been sent to the home department for authorising divisional forest officers to order surveillance of phones and call details of persons involved in wildlife crime.
The principal secretary, home had accorded approval for this earlier in the meeting chaired by the Chief Minister.