A special Tiger Protection Force (TPF) will be set up in the Rajaji National Park soon. The force will focus on the protection and security of tigers in the National Park and will be dedicated in solving cases of wildlife offenses, including those against tigers in the park, officials said. The State Forest Department had already sent a proposal about the TPF to the Central Government and is waiting for a nod. Senior officials said that the TPF will be set up as soon as the Central Government gives its go ahead for the same. After carrying out several programmes for rehabilitation of tigers in the Rajaji National Park here, officials are now concerned about the safety of the national animal. In a bid to tighten their noose around the wildlife smugglers and poachers in the area close to the National Park, the officials have now proposed to set up a special TPF like the one in the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The force will be raised as a part of the ongoing ‘Project Tiger’ officials added. “The proposal was sent in March this year and we are waiting for its reply. A dedicated TPF will be set up in Rajaji National Park, as soon as we get the Centre’s nod in connection to this,” SS Sharma, Chief Wildlife Warden, said. Only the CTR has got a special TPF dedicated to the protection and security of tigers in the Reserve. After getting tigers rehabilitated in the National Park, officials are now concerned about the increasing threat to the tigers. “The proposed TPF will be dedicated for the protection of tigers and investigation of wildlife offenses against tigers and other animals in the National Park,” Sharma added. Members of a major tiger poaching racket that was busted in Bijnor recently, have told their investigators that the gang had poached tigers in the Rajaji National Park as well. Officials had sprung into action after being informed about this. A proposal to set up a TPF like the one in the CTR was drafted under the Tiger Project and officials are now waiting for the Union Government’s nod to set up the special force soon. This, according to officials will be the second TPF in the State after the one in the CTR. “Contrary to the TPF in Corbett, our TPF will be smaller in strength and will also focus on wildlife crime against other animals, specially elephants too,” an officials of the Rajaji National Park said, requesting anonymity.