Haridwar, Oct. 20 -- With the festival of Diwali approaching, the Rajaji Tiger Reserve authorities have stepped up security measures to prevent illegal activities such as poaching and timber smuggling. An alert has been sounded across all ranges of the reserve and adjoining forest divisions, officials said. According to forest department officials, round-the-clock patrolling, vehicle checks, and drone surveillance have been launched in vulnerable areas of the reserve. The heightened vigil aims to deter wild animal poachers, wood smugglers, and other anti-social elements who often exploit festive periods to carry out unlawful activities. "Continuous monitoring and patrolling are underway across all ranges of the Rajaji Tiger Reserve during the ongoing Diwali festive phase. Passersby near the forest are being questioned, and suspicious individuals are being frisked. The safety of wild animals and protection of forest resources remain our top priority," said Deputy Ranger Ganesh Bahuguna. Officials said the forest administration has suspended leave for all staff members till October 23 to ensure adequate manpower during the high-alert period. In sensitive forest regions such as Kotdwar, Lansdowne, and Kalagadh, special patrolling teams have been deployed. Forest personnel are also conducting flag marches to deter potential poaching or illegal felling. Additionally, joint patrolling has been intensified along the borders with Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh, where forest boundaries often serve as routes for smuggling operations. A forest department official said that similar intensified surveillance drives are routinely conducted during major festivals like Diwali, Holi, and New Year, as well as during Kumbh Mela periods, when the movement of people in and around forested areas increases substantially. Experts have also expressed concern over increased poaching attempts during Diwali, particularly targeting species associated with superstitious beliefs. "Apart from timber smugglers eyeing valuable trees and herbs, Diwali is also a time when poachers hunt for owls, which are considered auspicious in certain occult rituals. Small animals such as rabbits and deer, as well as larger species like sambhar, leopards, and even elephants, face greater risk during this period," said Dr Gagan Matta, Assistant Professor at the Department of Environmental Science, Gurukul Kangri University. Officials said the department will maintain heightened vigilance throughout the festive season to ensure the protection of wildlife and forest resources within Rajaji Tiger Reserve and surrounding areas....