Drones to patrol poacher-prone Dudhwa

LUCKNOW: For the first time, drones will be deployed for patrolling the
state's only national park in Dudhwa, situated on the porous Indo-Nepal
border, to maintain a strict vigil and keeping an eye on poachers.

As per the last census, Dudhwa reserve has around 85 tigers. Rains, flash
floods and inundated areas pose a serious challenge to the protection of
wildlife in monsoon and hence a multi-pronged vigil including forest
guards on foot, bullock carts, elephants and drones has been initiated.

Dudhwa field director Ramesh Pandey said drone patrolling will
commence on Tiger Day, July 29, with cooperation from Wildlife Institute
of India (WII) while the field staff has already been trained to use them and
track their movement.

A four-day elephant health care programme was started on Saturday to ensure good health of the pachyderms who play a vital role in surveillance and assist tourists and wildlife enthusiasts. A rhino rehabilitation programme has also started in Dudhwa after three decades and a male rhino and three females have been shifted to Bhadi Tal range.

Dudhwa has been a soft target for poachers operating in terai and Nepal. Poachers, who used the porous borders in

Katarniaghat and Kishanpur wildlife sanctuaries to sneek in are facing a tough time this year due to joint combing operations by forest guards, Seema Suraksha Bal jawans, and special tiger protection force (STPF).

Dudhwa is spread across Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich districts bordering Nepal. The park also has forests of saal, teak and sheesham which draw timber mafia.

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