Jaipur, July 19 -- Rajasthan's minister of state for forests (Independent Charge), Sanjay Sharma, has instructed forest officials to strengthen surveillance in the state's tiger reserves through advanced technological measures and deeper community engagement. Addressing the third meeting of the Rajasthan Tiger Conservation Foundation's governing body, held at Aranya Bhawan on Friday, Sharma called for enhanced deployment of CCTV cameras, drone surveillance, and e-patrolling systems across tiger habitats. These tools, he said, are essential for real-time monitoring of tiger movements, curbing poaching activities, and responding swiftly to human-wildlife conflict situations. Sharma also stressed the importance of involving local communities in conservation efforts. He directed officials to initiate night-stay programmes for forest staff, regular outreach events, and awareness campaigns to educate villagers living near tiger reserves. "Local cooperation is crucial for long-term success in protecting our tigers," said Sharma. "People must understand the importance of these animals and rules that govern protected areas." The minister's remarks come amid growing concern over increasing tiger movement and occasional conflict with humans. By combining technology with grassroots outreach, the government aims to create a more inclusive and efficient model of conservation. The meeting also reviewed ongoing efforts in reserves such as Ranthambhore, Sariska, Ramgarh Vishdhari, Dholpur, and Mukundra Hills, and included discussions on tiger health monitoring, radio collar tracking, and corridor management. An MoU was approved with the Anil Agarwal Foundation for providing anti-poaching infrastructure and patrol vehicles worth Rs.1 crore to Ramgarh Vishdhari. Senior officials from the forest department, including Additional Chief Secretary Anand Kumar and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Arijit Banerjee, attended the meeting. District collectors of tiger reserve areas also joined via video conferencing. Based on suggestions from members present, the upcoming action plan was drafted. A review was conducted on tiger behaviour, health monitoring, radio collar tracking, and the condition of wildlife corridors....