Monsoon and Sariska

SARISKA (ALWAR): It is more than a coincidence that the reintroduction of tigers almost matches with the monsoon ��� a time when poaching is known to peak.

This is a time when the park is closed to visitors except on Tuesdays and Saturdays when devotees are allowed to go into the forest for worshipping at the Pandupole temple. In the past, forest officials, taking advantage of the closure of the reserve, used to go on leave, leaving the forest vulnerable to poachers and other anti-social elements.

Even the state empowered committee has noted in its report that during the monsoon tigers are most vulnerable to poaching. In its report, the state empowered committee has noted that the villagers at the STR are also aware that routine patrolling and checking operations are at their minimum during the monsoon.

However, this time, forest department officials say that there is nothing to worry. "There will be three teams set to work round-the -clock for monitoring the radio collared tigers. In fact, from the statements of many of the poachers we have come to know that the tigers have a tendency to wander off to the peripheral areas of the forest during monsoon and it is here that they were killed," an official said.

"Therefore we have set up watch towers at most of these junctures. In fact, the Nayapani area which will house the new tigers for sometime will also be closely monitored with the help of two watch towers," officials said.