Arunachal govt. signs MoU with NTCA for raising STPF for tiger reserves

Guwahati: The state government of Arunachal Pradesh has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to raise the state's first Tiger Protection Force (STPC) to revamp conservation efforts.

The move of the state comes months after the national tiger census found nearly 70 per cent fewer tigers compared to the number recorded in 2018, this was reported by Deccan Herald.

The special force comprising 336 personnel would be deployed in Arunachal Pradesh’s three tiger reserves, Namdapha, Kamlang, and Pakke.

A total of 112 personnel would be deployed in each of the three tiger reserves. 

“As per the MoU, the NTCA will be providing funding support for raising, arming, and deploying the special tiger protection force for the protection of tigers in all the tiger reserves of the state with 90:10 funding from the Centre and the state government,” said a statement issued by the state forest department.

Despite having three tiger reserves,  the state did not have a dedicated tiger protection force unlike in many other states.

Only temporary and contractual guards were earlier engaged in the forests, which according to conservationists, could not function as per the guidelines of the NTCA.

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