Virus enters tiger reserve, over 25 residents infected

LAST YEAR, NO POSITIVE CASE WAS DETECTED IN CORE AREAS OF THE RESERVE, FOREST OFFICIALS SAID

LATEHAR: Coronavirus infcetion, that causes Covid-19, has for the first time gripped villages in remote and densely forested core area of Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Latehar district. More than 25 cases so far have been detected at Baresanrh village and its adjoining areas inside the critical tiger habitat, officials said on Tuesday.

Those found infected include employees of the forest department such as forest guards and trackers. Palamu tiger reserve deputy director (south division) Mukesh Kumar said, “We got our staff tested for Covid-19 in different ranges. Five or six of them have tested positive. We sent them under isolation as per protocol. Those entering the forests have been asked to properly sanitize themselves at regular intervals.”

Baresanrh, that lies 60 kilometres away from the district headquarters, is a nondescript hamlet of mixed population of tribals and non-tribals.

The area is particularly famous as the summer home of more than 200 elephants that roam the forests. During the first wave of pandemic last year, no positive case was detected in these areas.

Alerted by the recent development, the tiger reserve authorities have stepped up measures to ensure that the animals remain safe, while also asking trackers entering the forest to follow Covid-19 protocol.

“In addition, we have provided face shields and sanitizers to the keepers of Sambhar enclosure and asked them to be extra careful while feeding the animals,” the deputy director said.

Jharkhand’s only home for big cats, the Palamu Tiger Reserve is spread over an area of 1,129 square kilometers in Latehar and parts of Garhwa district.

Paras Yadav, a resident of Baresanrh, said, “We are scared this time. During the first wave, no case was found here and we felt quite safe living in forests and braving wild animals. But, the situation has changed this time.”

The forest department has already issued directions to its employees to follow Covid-19 protocol at Betla National Park soon after eight lions at a Hyderabad zoo were found infected.