Boost to security mechanism as Corbett gets all-terrain vehicle

Jotirmay Thapliyal

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 17

For ensuring better patrolling, Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand has procured an all-terrain vehicle. The vehicle will help patrolling on undulated terrain, rivulets and other narrow areas that are generally out of reach of foot patrol and will help strengthen security mechanism in Corbett.

Having one of the highest tiger density areas of the country, Corbett in the recent years has taken systematic steps to strengthen its security apparatus as tiger population has seen a boom in the reserve in recent years.

A first protected area in Uttarakhand to possess such a vehicle, the all-terrain vehicle would be a boon for the patrolling parties in Corbett, particularly during monsoon. The on-foot patrolling becomes extremely difficult in the Corbett that is spread around 1,288 sq km of areas. The area receives good amount of rainfall and culverts and other passages get badly damaged during rains. Under such circumstances an all-terrain vehicle was essential to address such challenges. Many a times, patrol parties get stuck for days together due to washing away of forest roads in the reserve.

Corbett Tiger Reserve Director Surendra Mehra pointed out that the need for an all-terrain vehicle was being felt for quite some time in Corbett. “An all-terrain vehicle will help us strengthen patrolling, particularly during rainy season and on a terrain where on foot patrolling is not possible”, Surendra Mehra told The Tribune. He did not rule out Corbett Reserve procuring more of such vehicles in the days to come.

Significantly, apart from patrolling, the all-terrain vehicle that costs around Rs 12 lakhs will also help carry supplies to forest posts that do not have proper approach roads. The vehicle has excellent work efficiency both during day and night hours and thus will ensure unhindered speedy movement of Corbett security staff that too round the clock.

Uttarakhand has a total of 340 tigers as per the 2014 all-India tiger census report of the Wildlife Institute of India. Most of these tigers are in Corbett Tiger Reserve. With the latest 2018 tiger census to come up shortly, indications are clear that tiger population has increased further in Corbett and thus calls for special security efforts.