India’s First Armed Police Company Deployed for Wildlife Protection at Similipal Tiger Reserve

Baripada: In a groundbreaking move to bolster wildlife protection, Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district will become the first in India to have a dedicated armed police company deployed for combating poaching and wildlife crimes.

The unit, part of a Joint Task Force formed by the Forest Department last year, will be led by the Mayurbhanj Superintendent of Police (SP). This decision follows incidents like the tragic killing of two forest frontline workers by alleged poachers, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced protection measures.

The dedicated Armed Police Reserve (APR) company will comprise 131 personnel, including 87 sepoys, 30 havildars, three driver havildars, three assistant sub-inspectors (armed), three sub-inspectors (armed), one inspector (armed), one assistant commandant (armed), and three drivers. The company will be headquartered in Mayurbhanj district.

Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu announced the Governor’s sanction for the creation of these posts, stating, “This initiative aims to strengthen the protection measures in Similipal Tiger Reserve, as part of the Joint Task Force already notified.” The newly created positions will adhere to provisions of the Orissa Reservation of Vacancies (ORV) Act, and all expenses for this specialized force will be borne by the Forest and Environment Department.

The decision to deploy the armed force follows high-level meetings chaired by the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary, with inputs from the Forest, Environment & Climate Change (FE & CC) Department.

While Kaziranga National Park in Assam has a Special Rhino Protection Force (SRPF) comprising 74 personnel for the protection of its one-horned rhinoceros, Similipal’s initiative marks the first deployment of an armed police company solely dedicated to safeguarding a wildlife sanctuary in India.