In a bid to tackle poachers and check wildlife criminals effectively in the State, the Odisha government has empowered the Forest Department officials by granting them police power.
The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Sushil Kumar Popli announced the development during the concluding day of the 69th State Level Van Mahothsav Week. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik joined the programme via video conferencing.
With the grant of police power, forest officials can now track the mobile phones of the poachers and wildlife criminals involved in poaching activities in the forests across the State.
Moreover, the Odisha government has allowed the forest officials of the State to track the location of the poachers and check their call details.
Currently, the forest officials are undertaking training on the use of firearms. As many as 90 forest officials have been trained in the use of firearms. Training will be imparted to other officials in this regard in a phased manner.
Earlier, equipping frontline staff with a strong self-defense cover against poachers and wildlife criminals, the Odisha government had granted immunity to the forest officials of the State under section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) for the use of firearms during official duties.