The ace cricketer Harbhajan Singh has felicitated a forest guard Govinda who had been patrolling Nagarahole tiger reserve despite being receiving bullet injuries by smugglers.

The dedicated forest guard has received Wildlife Services Award 2012 for serving the forest land for the past 26 years. Govinda who has expressed his happiness for being felicitated, has said that the state has 75 per cent shortage of forest guards. He has also expressed his vain on the vanish of big cats and exuded confidence the forest administration would swiftly look into the issue to preserve tigers.

It may be noted that Govinda joined the Indian Forest Service as a forest guard in 1984. He hails from Nallurpalla in Mysore district. Govinda is known in the department for his anti-poaching skills and he took a lead role many a time when poachers tried to smuggle timber.

Meanwhile, cricketer Harbhajan Singh has said that he was in support of the demand to save wildlife and tigers. He has also called upon the youths to join the forest department and work towards the cause. He has also said that he would urge the government to take the tiger conservation more seriously.  (Phani)