Intensive combing launched in Similipal tiger reserve after melanistic tiger poaching

BARIPADA: Poaching of the melanistic tiger has prompted the State Police to join forces with the Similipal tiger reserve management as both agencies have launched intensive combing in the tiger habitat to drive away hunters.

Two platoon forces from the armed police reserve (APR) teamed up with the forest staff to conduct flag march and mobile patrolling in the tiger reserve on Thursday.

DIG Satyajit Naik said, about 90 forest staff who had received fire-arm training from the police were joined by the two platoons APR force from both Balasore and Mayurbhanj to strengthen the protection of STR.’