Forest personnel to be trained in handling firearms to hunt down crop-raiding wild boars, says Minister
Speaking to reporters after inspecting the Kalakkad Thalaiyanai and adjoining areas of Kalakkad – Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) on Friday, he said the Department of Forest was taking every possible step to avert wild animal invasion into the ranches either by digging trenches or erecting solar electric fences along the forest boundary being largely used by the wild animals. As places like Veppanahalli in Krishnagiri districts were witnessing frequent entry of wild elephants into the habitations close to the forest and the fields, electric fences were being put up in this place while forest personnel were working overtime to chase these animals back into the forest.
The Forest Department was very much aware of the farmers' agonies due to the extensive crop damage being caused by the wild animals like elephant, deer, wild boars, bear and Indian gaur entering the fields from nearby forests. As the wild boars were being the wrecker in chief, firearms were to be given to the forest personnel after properly training them in handling these weapons.
'The well-trained forest personnel, as per the norms established by the forest department, will hunt down the wild boars entering the farms and destroy crops,' he said.
The minister asserted that Tamil Nadu's forest cover, which stands at 21.76% now, would soon increase to 33%, thanks to the meticulous steps being taken by the department. The third wildlife biodiversity park of Tamil Nadu was coming-up near Tiruchi on 420 acres after Vandalur and Vellore parks.
When asked about the possibility of establishing the second Forest College in Southern Tamil Nadu after the first one at Mettupalayam, he said he would discuss it with the Chief Minister.
He denied the allegation that the Department of Forest was not regularising at regular intervals the services of the anti-poaching watchers with 10 years of service.
'They are being made permanent employees of Department of Forest on the completion of 10 years of service while other posts are being filled-up through Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission,' Mr. Rajakannappan replied.
On his inspection today, the minister said several development works were going on in Kalakkad, Thirukkurunkudi and Upper Gothaiyar ranges of KMTR and hence he visited this region to check the progress.
Deputy Director of KMTR's Kalakkad Division Rameswaran, Kalakkad municipality chairperson Shanthi, vice-chairman P.C. Rajan, Kalakkad Forest Range Officer Prabhakaran and Thirukkurunkudi Forest Range Officer Yogeswaran were present.
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