The Odisha government has established a dedicated Armed Police Reserve (APR) unit to bolster wildlife protection in the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR). A notification from the state’s home department announced the creation of this specialized force, consisting of 131 personnel across various roles.

The new unit will operate as a joint task force under the administrative control of the Mayurbhanj Superintendent of Police (SP). Its operational activities will be coordinated with the field director of STR and the joint task force, according to a separate notification from the Forest, Environment & Climate Change department.

The primary objective of this force is to enhance anti-poaching measures, safeguard the region’s wildlife and forest resources, and ensure law and order within the reserve, the notification stated.

The move is seen as a significant step toward strengthening conservation efforts in STR, one of India’s most prominent tiger reserves and a biodiversity hotspot.