Bhubaneswar: In a bid to help conserve and protect the dwindling tiger population, the Odisha government has decided to create a Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) and prepare a long-term action plan for the conservation of the big cats. Briefing newsmen after presiding over the first meeting of the Similipal Tiger Conservation Foundation held at the State Secretariat here on Thursday, forest and environment minister Debi Prasdad Mishra said that the proposed STPF would consist of one ACF, three Range Officers, 18 Foresters and 90 Forest Guards. He said the 30 per cent reservation would be kept for the local tribals for the post of Forest Guards. The forest department would bring an amendment in the recruitment procedure to increase the upper age limit of the tribals for the post of Forest Guards to 40. The minister said the new force would also help in protecting the elephants in Similipal Tiger Reserve along with increased protection to tigers. He said the first meeting of the STCF has decided to formulate a Long-Term Integrated Action Plan for the development of the Similipal Tiger Reserve and the Satkosia Tiger Reserve and to help conserve the tigers. Mishra said the Foundation has approved a Rs 10.55-crore annual action plan for the Similipal Tiger Reserve to be submitted before the forest and environment ministry for sanction of funds. The Similipal Tiger Conservation Foundation has been constituted under the chairmanship of the forest and environment minister to facilitate and support the management for conservation of tigers and bio-diversity for the Tiger Reserve at Similipal.