C'garh mulling use of GPS collars to track elephants, leopards

Chhattisgarh government is planning to use Global Positioning System-based satellite collars to track the movement of elephants, leopards and bears, so as to prevent incidents of animal-human conflict.
"GPS-based satellite collars will be put on the neck of elephants, leopards and bears to track their locations and understand their behavioural patterns," a forest official said today.
Chief Minister Raman Singh gave in-principle nod to the project at a meeting of the State Wildlife Board last evening.
"Animals' safety will be given priority while attaching satellite collars. Expert agencies will be roped in for the task," the official said, adding that the CM has asked them to start the work within six months.

Singh also ordered to constitute special protection squads for the conservation of forest and check timber theft.
He asked for development of a centralised system based on helpline number to access inputs about timber theft and poachers. Locals would be able to call the helpline to inform about poaching, etc.
Singh also stressed the importance of mapping the forest areas to know where the forest cover is expanding and where it is shrinking, the official said.