M F AHMAD
Daltonganj, May 11: Palamu Tiger Reserve is now equipped with 85 new bikes.
Out of 85, the North division of PTR has bought 45 bikes. This division has 45 forest guards, according to its deputy director Kumar Ashish.
On the other hand, Mukesh Kumar deputy director of the South division said, “Our South division has 65 forest guards and for them, we have bought 40 bikes.”
“These bikes will help our forest guards to cover the entire length and breadth of the PTR,” he added.
A total of Rs 68 lakhs have been spent on the purchase of these bikes.
The fund for the bikes is from the integrated wildlife management plan. It is the mitigation money in respect of the Mandal dam where the forest department has given 1000 hectares of its land.
Sources said there is also a note of caution for the bike riders in PTR. The lurking Maoists are said to have planted improvised explosive devices around the Burha Pahar which crosses through the PTR and goes up to Chhatisgarh.
“Our boys are familiar with the topography of the PTR and they know their routes well. We have asked our forest guards to follow the rules of riding and not to be any over adventurous at all,” Mukesh Kumar said.
