Forest Officials of Similipal to Use VSAT Tech for Communication

Bhubaneswar: To provide satellite connectivity to the personnel deployed at Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in the Mayurbhanj district, the Odisha Forest department has decided to use Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology.

Using this advanced communication technology; the field staff at the STR will be able to transfer voice messages, data and videos through VSATs. This immediate communication will help in checking poaching and other illegal activities at STR.

In the first phase, the Forest department is planning to introduce the VSAT communication facility technology in Similipal and Satkosia Tiger Reserves.

As part of the project, the forest department will install as many as 23 VSAT stations at Similipal and six at Satkosia.

At present, the forest officials at these two tiger reserves are using wireless walkie-talkies for communication. At least 10 All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) will be procured for the STR for easy transportation of personnel to the inhospitable areas at the tiger reserve during emergency situations like forest fires and tracking poachers.