Haridwar, Dec. 29 -- An alert has been issued in the Rajaji Tiger Reserve (RTR) ahead of New Year festivities amid potential threats from poachers, timber smugglers and other anti-social elements, forest department officials said on Sunday. Round-the-clock vigilance has been stepped up, with armed forest personnel deployed for continuous patrols in sensitive zones of the reserve as well as in other wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves and forest areas across the state. Senior forest officials said directives have been issued to all field officers, frontline staff and guards to remain on high alert during the festive period. "All national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves and biosphere areas have been put on alert to ensure their safety and to prevent any illegal or anti-social activities. Intelligence gathering has also been strengthened and patrolling intensified," said Uttarakhand Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Ranjan Kumar Mishra. htc...