Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced that Agniveers from the state will be directly deployed in the new Tiger Protection Force at Corbett Tiger Reserve. He made this announcement on the occasion of International Tiger Day. Over 80 young people will be recruited for this force.
The main goal of this force will be to protect tigers and their natural habitat. This step will not only boost tiger conservation but also offer jobs to youth trained under the Agniveer scheme.
CM Dhami said that the force will help stop poaching and improve overall tiger protection efforts. The trained jawans will patrol forests, gather intelligence, and take action against those harming wildlife. Apart from stopping poaching, the force will also tackle crimes like timber smuggling, illegal mining, and forest encroachment.
The Chief Minister added that protecting the tiger’s natural home is equally important. This force will work to prevent deforestation and manage human-wildlife conflict. Often, tigers enter populated villages or towns, leading to human-wildlife conflict. The trained team will be equipped to handle such cases without harming any humans or animals. They may also use modern tools like drones, GPS tracking, and thermal cameras to improve their work.
This move is unique as it brings in Agniveers, young men trained by the Indian Army, into wildlife conservation. These Agniveers have gone through rigorous discipline and training by the Indian Army. This training makes them physically fit, mentally strong and ready to face any challenge. These qualities will make them highly effective in forest patrolling and dealing with wildlife crimes.
Dhami said Army personnel are proficient at strategic planning and quick decision-making. Agniveers are well equipped with the knowledge of modern weapons and communication systems, which will help them to use advanced technologies for wildlife conservation. CM Dhami said that involving local youth will be helpful, as they understand the land, climate, and challenges of the region better.
The Corbett Tiger Reserve, one of India’s key tiger habitats, will now have a strong and committed team guarding it. This is expected to bring down poaching incidents and encourage local communities to support conservation.
If this model succeeds, it could be adopted in other tiger reserves across the country.
International Tiger Day, celebrated every year on July 29, was started in 2010 in St. Petersburg to encourage global efforts to save tigers. It aims to raise awareness about the threats tigers face and the importance of protecting them.
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