The Bengal forest department has decided to set up 176 beat offices across the state to augment vigilance in forest beats — the lowest tier of the department.

“We are taking every possible step to protect the forests and wildlife. So far, there were no offices of forest beats and the beat officers had to work from their quarters. That is why it has been decided to set up beat offices across the state. Among these, 37 offices will function in the Buxa Tiger Reserve area. On Saturday, we have launched 12 beat offices in the BTR,” said Rajib Banerjee, the state forest minister, after inaugurating a beat office in the Garam beat of the reserve area.

Speaking to newspersons, Banerjee said that he would hold a meeting with officials of his department in Calcutta next Monday to decide on the proposal of reopening all the zoological parks in the state.

In Bengal, there are 12 such zoological parks. All these parks have been closed for public from March 15 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Additional reporting by our Siliguri correspondent