The Hindu : Additional powers for forest squads

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 25, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Additional powers for forest squads

By Our Staff Correspondent

MADIKERI APRIL 24. Forest mobile squads can investigate forest-related offences now, the Inspector-General of Police, Forest Cell, S. Mahapatra, announced here on Thursday. Earlier, the squad could only detect a crime and report it to the Police Department. It was up to the police to investigate it.

Talking to presspersons here, Mr. Mahapatra said the empowerment, which came into effect 15 days ago, would give more authority to the forest mobile squads, headed by Superintendents in the districts.

Mobile squad personnel could now book and investigate forest-related offences under the Wildlife Protection Act and the Karnataka Forest Act, Mr. Mahapatra said. But the squad would not have vigilance powers, he said. Mr. Mahapatra said a proposal to upgrade the forest mobile squads in Madikeri, Virajpet, and Somwarpet taluks had been submitted to the State Government. The Superintendents of the squads had been allowed to recruit more men.

Wireless sets were distributed to the personnel recently and a new vehicle had been given to the Superintendent of the squad here, he said.

He lauded the squad here for busting a couple of animal-skin rackets recently. The skin of a tiger, leopard, and deer were confiscated in Somwarpet and few persons arrested.

Mr. Mahapatra, who visited the Makutta and Kolimakki forest areas in Virajpet taluk on Wednesday, said he had reviewed the affairs in the forests bordering Kerala.

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Additional powers for forest squads