This story is from December 25, 2018
Uttarakhand first to get dedicated drone force
NAINITAL: Uttarakhand has become the first state in the country to have a dedicated drone force to keep a tab on criminal activities in forest areas. The Forest Drone Force, headed by senior forest officers, has a fleet of 25 drones.
It will focus on checking illegal mining, tree felling, poaching and other anti-wildlife and anti-environment activities. It will patrol high altitude areas of the state. The force will have trained operators, senior Indian Forest Services officers from the state and experts from Drone Application Research Centre, Dehradun.
Jai Raj, principal chief conservator of forests and head of the forest force, Uttarakhand, told TOI, “The force will be dedicated to defending forests and wildlife from anti-forest and anti-environment activities in the state.” The department also plans to recruit 15 drone operators and upgrade the electronic set up across the state to support the initiative.
“The creation of a separate wing exclusively for drones will enable us to work in a more coordinated way. Soon 20 drones will be added to the squad of existing five drones,” said Parag Madhukar Dhakate, coordinator of the drone force and conservator of forests, western circle, Kumaon division.
The drones will also patrol protected sanctuaries like Nanda Devi National Park and Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary as well as Corbett Tiger Reserve, Rajaji Tiger Reserve and others.
Wildlife enthusiasts welcomed the move. AG Ansari, a resident of Ramnagar, where Corbett Tiger Reserve is located, said, “The move will enable the department to keep an eye on our flora and fauna more effectively.”
Earlier in May, the state forest department had announced plans to introduce ‘super drones’ packed with tranquillizers to sedate wild animals.
It will focus on checking illegal mining, tree felling, poaching and other anti-wildlife and anti-environment activities. It will patrol high altitude areas of the state. The force will have trained operators, senior Indian Forest Services officers from the state and experts from Drone Application Research Centre, Dehradun.
Jai Raj, principal chief conservator of forests and head of the forest force, Uttarakhand, told TOI, “The force will be dedicated to defending forests and wildlife from anti-forest and anti-environment activities in the state.” The department also plans to recruit 15 drone operators and upgrade the electronic set up across the state to support the initiative.
“The creation of a separate wing exclusively for drones will enable us to work in a more coordinated way. Soon 20 drones will be added to the squad of existing five drones,” said Parag Madhukar Dhakate, coordinator of the drone force and conservator of forests, western circle, Kumaon division.
The drones will also patrol protected sanctuaries like Nanda Devi National Park and Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary as well as Corbett Tiger Reserve, Rajaji Tiger Reserve and others.
Earlier in May, the state forest department had announced plans to introduce ‘super drones’ packed with tranquillizers to sedate wild animals.
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