Latest news with #PrajeshKantJena
New Indian Express
27-05-2025
- New Indian Express
PTR seeks sniffer dogs to check poaching of wild animals, illegal meat trade
RANCHI: Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) has sought a sniffer dog, required to check poaching of wild animals and illegal trade of their meat. According to PTR officials, they have written to TRAFFIC, a joint initiative of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Union of Conservation of Nature, for the same and expect to get a least in the next few weeks. PTR Deputy Director Prajesh Kant Jena informed that, Honey, a sniffer dog which was brought here in 2023, died a few months back, and hence, they need at least one to detect wild life crime. The Belgian Malinois, a special breed of dog, is used by forest officials for the detection of wildlife crime. The Belgian Malinois is a medium to large-sized dog with an athletic, lean build and a short, tight coat. Sometimes mistaken for the larger, heavier boned German Shepherd Dog. The PTR management uses sniffer dogs to track and prevent poaching of animals, mostly deer, and their illegal trade. 'Sniffer dogs are a part of protection regime in PTR as they are trained to detect wildlife crime and used in multiple things by the forest officials like detecting the crime scene and the miscreants. In addition to that, they are also help us in detecting meat of any wild animals being sold in the local 'haat' or market by sniffing them,' said Jena.
New Indian Express
20-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Jharkhand's first tiger safari in Latehar on the lines of Rajgir in Bihar soon
RANCHI: Elated with increasing number of tigers in Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR), Jharkhand government has started taking initiatives to open the state's first tiger safari on the lines of Rajgir in Bihar. According to officials, the survey has already been completed and required land has been identified in the forests of Putuagarh under PTR's Barwadih Western Forest Range. A tiger safari typically involves driving through protected areas such as national parks and tiger reserves to spot tigers. The officials also informed that after getting a formal nod from state government, the proposal will be sent to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for approval. 'The tourism minister expressed his desire to open a tiger safari in Jharkhand on the lines of Rajgir in Bihar. We have identified the required land near PTR in the forests of Putuagarh near PTR which has been Okayed by the minister,' said PTR Deputy Director Prajesh Kant Jena. As per official records, six tigers have been spotted wandering in the PTR and their number is supposed to increase further in the wake of the measures taken by the officials to improve the tiger count.
New Indian Express
18-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Creating greener pastures at home
JHARKHAND: As the Deputy Director in the Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR), Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Prajesh Kant Jena has taken it upon himself to check the migration of youth to other states in search of livelihood. He has come up with an initiative, Hunar se Rozgar, under which youngsters living in local villages are undergoing free 45-day training programmes at two centres within the reserve – Batla and Mandal – to develop proficiency in computer operations, mechanics and various other domains. Girls, for example, are receiving training in sewing, knitting and embroidery. Ask Jena what the objective of this initiative is, and he explains, 'It's meant to boost the confidence of youngsters living in remote jungles of PTR by developing certain employable skill in them, as most of them are engaged in daily wage labour despite being educated.' But how did this idea crop up? 'I have noticed through my time here in this reserve that most youngsters living in these jungles either get engaged in traditional forest-related practices or migrate to other states in search of livelihood.' That's what prompted him to do something that could arrest the trend of youth migration to other states hundreds of kilometres from home. Besides training, the youngsters are also provided with employment opportunities with the help of the NGO partners as part of the initiative.
New Indian Express
17-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Decks cleared for relocation of seven villages in submerged area of Jharkhand
RANCHI: THE decks have been cleared for the relocation of seven villages lying in the submergence area of Mandal dam in Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) as the Jharkhand government has agreed to provide one acre land besides compensation of Rs 15 lakh to each household. Despite getting the forest and wildlife clearance in 2018, Mandal dam awaits relocation of 7 villages. Spread over Garhwa, Latehar and Palamu districts, the dam is yet to become functional due to lack of consensus between the government and the villagers living in its submergence area. A total of 780 households residing in Kutku, Bhajna, Khura, Khaira, Saneya, Chemo and Meral villages are to be relocated. PTR deputy director Prajesh Kant Jena said that it's a win-win situation for the government, tiger reserve and villagers. 'When the villages get relocated, the vacated land will create a huge water body which will reduce the problem of human-animal conflict in Garhwa, Latehar and Palamu districts. While the rest of area will create a huge patch of grassland for tigers and elephants,' Jena said.
