Nuapada: The forest department has taken an initiative to install CCTV cameras in Sunabeda sanctuary to keep a tab on the movement of poachers, wild animals and Maoists, a report said.
This will also help record the wildlife variety and their movement pattern. The decision comes in the wake of the killing of Royal Bengal Tiger in Debrigarh Sanctuary.
Covering an area of 6 sq km, the sanctuary is situated on the border of Nuapada and Chhattisgarh and is home to a variety of flora and fauna. On the other hand, the movement of Maoists and poachers in the area has been a matter of concern for the authorities.
In the first phase, around 70 cameras will be installed by the Khariar forest division and Sunabeda sanctuary, it was learnt.
A team led by divisional forest officer Khusabant Singh trekked the forest and installed some cameras Sunday as part of the first phase. Also present were officials of Khariar forest division, Kalahandi forest division and Bolangir forest division.
The motion-activated cameras can take pictures of animals without causing any disturbance to them even during night.
“This will also help to spot the movement of wild animals, their territories and also the population,” an official said.
Meanwhile, the forest officials have decided to reinstall CCTV cameras at vantage points in the core area of Debrigarh Sanctuary in Bargarh.
PNN