Talking to reporters at the Press Club here yesterday, the former Punjab police chief said his organisation had not bypassed the Rajasthan Forest Ministry while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the director of the reserve.

The director of the reserve is a competent authority to enter into an understanding with Tiger Watch, he said.

Ribeiro said Tiger Watch was only concerned with the health of the tiger and did not have any other motive in signing the MoU.

He asserted that the reports had been published without going through the MoU, in which it has been specifically stated that Tiger Watch will extend cooperation to the authorities of the sanctuary and not interfere in its functioning.

The additional help and assistancebeing provided by Tiger Watch will preserve the environment essential for the safety of the tiger population in the Park, he said.