Similipal becomes India's 107th national park, largest in Odisha
BHUBANESWAR: After a wait lasting decades, Similipal has been accorded national park status, with a formal notification issued by the Odisha government on Thursday.
An area of 845.70 sq km spread across 11 ranges of Similipal south and Similipal north divisions was declared as a national park, making it the second protected area to be declared a national park after Bhitarkanika in the state.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who made an announcement to this effect on Thursday, said Similipal is now the 107th national park in the country. It is also the largest national park in Odisha at 845.70 square km, he said.
Hailing it as a landmark step towards conservation and the goal of 'Viksit Bharat and Viksit Odisha', Majhi said, "This long awaited declaration strengthens our ecological legacy, uplifts tribal aspirations and reaffirms Odisha's commitment to sustainable development."
PCCF (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden (CWW) Prem Kumar Jha said the national park status to Similipal is a significant milestone in the conservation history of Odisha. 'The long pending proposal, originally initiated in 1980 and realised now, will be a big push for state's forest and wildlife conservation," he said.
As per the notification of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change (FE&CC) department, the 845.70 square km of Similipal National Park is spread over Pithabata north, Pithabata south, Nawana, Jenabil, Upper Barahkamuda, national park, and Bhanjabasa ranges of Similipal south division and Barehipani, Chahala, Nawana North and Talabandha ranges of Similipal north division.
Similipal, the state's biggest tiger reserve, has 55 species of mammals, 361 species of birds, 62 species of reptiles and 21 species of amphibians. It is spread over 2,750 square km, including around 2,306 sq km that forms Similipal wildife sanctuary. The state had notified 1,194.75 sq km of STR as the core critical tiger habitat in 2007.
However, acting on the criteria of the Centre, that an area to be accorded national park status must be completely inviolate and free from human habitation and movement of domestic animals, the forest department notified an area of 845.70 sq km, mostly in Similipal south division, as the national park.
The core of Similipal that consisted of six villages - Jamunagada, Kabatghai, Bakua, Barahkamuda and Bahaghar - posed a bigger challenge for national park notification for decades. Though the government succeeded in shifting Jenabil, Kabatghai Barahakamuda, Bahaghar and Jamunagada villages, around 61 families continued to inhabit Bakua. Keeping this in view, Bakua has been kept out of the national park area of 845 sq km, sources said.
The notification issued by the department came after the statutory 60-day proclamation period issued by the Mayurbhanj district administration was complied with last year.
Deputy director of STR south Samrat Gowda said national park status is a major recognition for Similipal. "Apart from empowering us to strongly enforce laws, it will also help seek more funds for strengthening protection measures in the tiger habitat," he said.
Till now, Bhitarkanika held the status of being the lone national park in the state. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1975, the mangrove ecosystem had been designated as a national park in 1998.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
Odisha govt to plant 7.5 cr trees in the state in one year: CM Majhi
BHUBANESWAR: Emphasising the importance of cleaner and greener environment for a healthy society, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced the government's plan of planting 7.5 crore trees across the state within the next one year. Addressing a state-level function held at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) to celebrate World Environment Day, the chief minister said the state has achieved a net increase of approximately 560 sq km in forest and tree cover, which is the fourth-highest among all states. The common people and institutions have planted nearly two crore saplings, setting a record, he said. Expressing concern over the increasing reliance on plastic, especially single-use plastic in daily life, which has emerged as one of the three major problems alongside climate change, environmental degradation and pollution, Majhi called upon the public to take a pledge to end plastic pollution and maintain a healthy and clean environment for citizens. He stressed the importance of creating a greener environment and preserving nature to mitigate the severity of pollution which can ensure a healthy life for future generations. 'Our government has taken the initiative to ban single-use plastic, promote sustainable alternatives and strengthen waste management systems. We have also launched the State Clean Air Programme to reduce air pollution in densely populated areas and improve air quality in which the State Pollution Control Board is playing an active role,' he added. Emphasising the need for societal change, he noted the success of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, which has resulted in the planting of over six crore trees. The CM felicitated 185 Prakruti Mitra and 211 Prakruti Bandhu volunteers from various districts who have made significant contributions to environmental protection and conservation. He also congratulated all participants and winners of the state-level eco-model exhibition on 'Ending Plastic Pollution' and extended his best wishes to the schools and teachers who won the best Eco-Club award. The chief minister along with minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change, Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia and chief secretary Manoj Ahuja planted saplings under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' programme at the College of Agriculture here.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Hans India
End plastic pollution, says Majhi
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday raised alarm over the escalating menace of plastic pollution in the State. While addressing the World Environment Day celebration in Bhubaneswar, Majhi said unbridled use of plastic poses a triple threat- climate change, loss of biodiversity and affects the ecosystems with pollution and waste. He called for a mass movement to eliminate plastic use from everyday life. On tackling pollution, the Chief Minister underlined the State's firm stance against single-use plastic. 'We've banned single-use plastic and are actively promoting long-term sustainable alternatives. Waste management systems are being strengthened to ensure a cleaner and greener future,' Majhi added. He also highlighted that the State government has launched the Clean Air Programme to reduce air pollution in densely populated urban areas and improve overall air quality. The Chief Minister also announced that Odisha government will undertake the plantation of 7.5 crore trees this year as part of its aggressive green initiative. He noted that Odisha has seen a net increase of 560 sq km in forest cover, ranking fourth among all States. 'This achievement is a testament to our collective effort. Through the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, we've already planted over 6 crore saplings,' he said. The Chief Minister said Similipal was recently designated as the 107th National Park by the Union government. Under 'Ama Similipal' scheme, the government has earmarked Rs 50 crore for enhanced protection of wildlife and biodiversity in the region. Meanwhile, speaking to mediapersons, Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu, Odisha Forest, Environment and Climate Change department, said the State will soon introduce reverse vending machines (RVMs) for plastic waste collection in major urban centres. Sahu said seven cities across Odisha will also see the launch of a new Clean City Pilot Programme to intensify urban sanitation and waste segregation. He also stressed that single-use plastic continues to be a serious threat, and enforcement will be strengthened to strictly regulate its usage, especially during mass gatherings, picnics and tourist seasons. 'Plastic pollution is silently choking our environment. We urge citizens, institutions and vendors to shift to eco-friendly alternatives. Enforcement will be tighter this year,' said Sahu.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Odisha to plant 7.5 crore saplings in a yr: CM
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday announced an ambitious plan of planting 7.5 crore saplings across the state within a year. Speaking at the state-level celebration of World Environment Day at the OUAT Agriculture Education Hall in city, the CM emphasised the importance of public awareness and collective responsibility in protecting nature and ending plastic pollution. "A healthy environment is essential for a healthy society," he said. Addressing the rising threat of single-use plastic, the CM urged citizens to support a mass movement to eliminate plastic from daily life. "Plastic is harming our water, land and our biodiversity. We must act now to protect the future. The state has taken concrete steps to ban single-use plastic, promote sustainable alternatives and improve waste management. Real change in society must begin with oneself and one's family," he added. Highlighting key environmental achievements, Majhi said that Odisha increased its forest and tree cover by 560sqkm, placing the state fourth in the country in terms of forest expansion. He also mentioned the success of the 'One Tree, One Name' campaign, which resulted in the plantation of over 6.5 crore trees so far. Public and institutions set a record by planting over two crore saplings, Majhi added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "In a boost to air quality efforts, the state govt launched the State Clean Air Programme to combat pollution in urban areas. The Odisha State Pollution Control Board has been actively involved in implementing this initiative," he said. Majhi also announced the formal recognition of Similipal as India's 107th National Park and launched the 'Our Similipal' initiative with a Rs 50 crore budget for conservation efforts. During the ceremony, Majhi felicitated 185 Prakriti Mitras and 211 Prakriti Bandhu awardees for their outstanding contributions to environmental protection. Schools and teachers who won the Best Eco Club Award were also recognised. A student exhibition on "Ending Plastic Pollution" was showcased at the event. Several environmental reports and studies were also released, including the State Clean Air Programme-2025 and the Coastal Health Status Report. On Thursday, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) launched a city-wide awareness and cleanliness drive to tackle plastic pollution. Participants took a green pledge to reduce plastic use, conserve energy and water and promote cleanliness and greenery. Special arrangements were made to distribute cotton carry bags among the public and in major marketplaces. BMC commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil announced plans to expand Miyawaki plantation to 20 new city locations this year.
