CHENNAI: A meeting involving the Police department and forest department in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu was held at MM Hills recently. The meeting was initiated by the Chamarajanagar District Police. The districts in south Karnataka, that border either Tamil Nadu or Kerala include Chamarajanagar, Mysuru and Kodagu. Greater cooperation between the police and the Forest departments is needed said, Mr. Kuldeep Kumar Jain, Superintendent of Police, SP, Chamarajanagar. The SP pointed out that inter-state border forest areas may be attractive for left-wing extremists to spread their operation by recruiting people, and therefore cautioned the need for additional vigil and security in this area. Ramesh Kumar, DCF, Cauvery wildlife sanctuary and Malathi Priya, DCF, MM Hill’s wildlife sanctuary made a joint presentation about the forest and forest-related issues of Chamarajnagar Forest circle, and stressed the need for greater coordination with their counterparts in Tamil Nadu. The border area enabled poachers to cross into Karnataka for poaching and escape to Tamil Nadu, Malathi Priya said. Karnataka officials urged Tamil Nadu to include the forest areas in Tamil Nadu under Cauvery north wildlife sanctuary as the 150 km forest borders the two states. Karnataka officials said, after these areas are declared wildlife sanctuary, protection activities by way of anti-poaching camps supported by foot and vehicle patrolling will increase. ]]>
