Dedicated one company of armed force to be deployed in Odisha's Similipal Tiger Reserve, first in India

A dedicated 131-member armed police company will be deployed to secure the Similipal Tiger Reserve in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.

According to a notification issued by Satyabrata Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to Government, the company will be headquartered in Mayurbhanj and include one commandant, one inspector, three sub-inspectors, three assistant sub-inspectors, 30 havildars, three driver havildars, 87 constables, and three drivers, with the administrative responsibility of this unit lying with the Mayurbhanj SP.

All expenses for this dedicated force will be borne by the Forest and Environment Department, the letter read.

Although there exists a Special Rhino Protection Force (SRPF) that protects the one-horned rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park in Assam, this unit is reportedly the first in the country where an armed police company is being deployed specifically for the protection of a wildlife sanctuary. 

Incidentally, on December 16, 2023, a dedicated Company of the Armed Police Reserve (APR) Force was sanctioned by the Governor.

The decision was made following meetings chaired by the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary, with further clarifications from the Forest, Environment & Climate Change (FE & CC) Department.

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As such, the operational control of this unit will be in consultation with the Field Director of Similipal Tiger Reserve and the Joint Task Force (JTF).

The establishment of this force aims to bolster anti-poaching efforts, protect wildlife and forest resources, and maintain law and order within the reserve.

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News of this armed force formation comes just days after several cases of leopard poaching were reported in November and December from across the state and not long after tigresses Zeenat and Jamuna were released into the core area of the Similipal Tiger Reserve on separate days within the last two months.