Forest officials at the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in Kerala have received new patrolling gear including backpacks and trekking shoes. The equipment was handed over by Muthoot Finance on June 18 as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative.
The handover included 200 water-resistant backpacks and 150 pairs of trekking shoes. The Forest Department is expected to use the equipment for long-distance patrols across the reserve’s rugged terrain. The gear was provided in association with the Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation.
Located in Palakkad district, the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve covers an area of 643.66 square kilometres. It forms part of the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats, a region known for its rich biodiversity and dense forests.
Forest watchers here often cover long distances on foot to monitor wildlife activity, keep a check on poaching attempts, and respond to conflicts near forest boundaries. Their patrols play a role in maintaining the ecological balance of the area.
Officials familiar with forest operations say that gear like water-resistant backpacks and trekking shoes can help reduce the physical strain of long hours spent in difficult terrain.
No specific changes in patrolling protocols or coverage have been announced in connection with this distribution. For now, the gear is expected to simply make day-to-day forest patrolling a little more manageable.
The donation was facilitated through a corporate social responsibility programme by Muthoot Finance, in collaboration with the local tiger conservation body.
Muthoot Finance, which operates across India with over 4,800 branches, reported ₹5,201 crore in profit for the financial year ending March 2025. The company also noted it has crossed ₹1 lakh crore in loan assets.
