Press Release / News

Bhubaneswar, 16th July (OPNS) Similipal Reserve Forest has been designated for inclusion in World Network of Biosphere Reserves by virtue of the decisions taken in International Coordinating Council of Programme on Man & Biosphere. This has come to light in the Similipal Biosphere Reserve Management Council Meeting held under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Bijaya Kumar Patnaik in the secretariat conference hall last evening. According to an estimate Similipal biosphere reserve spreads over 5,569 Sq.kms with 1194.75 sq.km core zone, 1335.86 sq.km. buffer zone and 3038.39 sq.km. transitional zone. The largest natural watershed of northern Odisha has been developed here which feeds 10 perennial streams that drain in to major rivers like Budhabalanga, Baitarani and Subarnarekha. It is acknowledged as hotspot of biodiversity with 1076 plant species, 55 mammals species, 304 bird species, 20 species of amphibians, 62 species of reptiles, 37 species of fishes and 179 species of butterflies and 217 species of invertebrates. Different approaches have been chalked out for management of core, buffer and transitional zones. For core area management thrust has been laid on protection and wild life management, for buffer area the thrust is on eco-development and for transitional area the thrust has been awareness of eco-development and development of eco-tourism. Review of the progress of Management Action Plan (MAP) shows that during last 15 years a total of Rs.563.22 laks have been received from Govt of India with yearly average of Rs.37.58 lakhs. Under the programme, 30 units of dairy farming has been developed Baripada Division; 2 units of rubber plantation and apiary cultivation have been done in Karanjia Division, 3 pisciculture units have been started in Rairangpur Division and 10 mushroom cultivation units with 50 beneficiaries have been set up in Rairangpur division. 60 units of Green Brigades with 10 members in each unit have been trained for protection of forest and wild life. A number of awareness activities against forest fire, animal depredation, tree felling and poaching have also been organized. The Chief Secretary Sri Patnaik has directed the Forest & Environ Dept. to scale up livelihood support projects for providing alternative livelihood to people so to reduce their dependency on forest. Secretary Forest & Environment Sri Aurobindo Behera, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Sri P.N.Padhi, Superintendent of Police Mayurbhanj Soorya Thaqnkappam participated in deliberations.