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
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Beneficiaries await enhanced pension in Ganjam
1 2 3 Berhampur: Four months have passed since chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the enhanced pension programme for people aged 80 and above and for those with 80% or more disability on Jan 16, but K. Kanta Rao, 45, of Bhaliagaga and J. Salema Reddy, 81, of Kotharsingh in Ganjam district's Rangeilunda block are yet to receive it. The monthly pension was increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,500, as BJP promised in its election campaign. Kanta and Salema are pension holders under the social security scheme due to their disability and old age respectively. "Like them, several beneficiaries in the district have been left out possibly due to lack of coordination with panchayats," said N. Damburu Reddy, a former zilla parishad member. He urged the district administration to hold camps at the panchayat level to identify eligible beneficiaries in villages. District social security officer (DSSO) Krushna Chandra Behera said almost all eligible persons might receive the enhanced pension of Rs 3,500 from this month, as the govt identified 38,022 beneficiaries under the scheme. Of them, 28,167 are over 80 years old, and 9,855 are suffering from more than 80% disability, he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play Chess on Your PC, Free Play Classic Chess Install Now Undo He said 460,792 people in the district are benefiting under the national and state-level pension schemes, including Madhu Babu Pension Scheme (MBPS). While most of them are receiving Rs 1,000 per month, persons with more than 60% disability are receiving Rs 1,200 per month, sources said. The DSSO said around 64,000 people had applied to receive the pension under the social security scheme but 54,000 were found to be eligible. The district administration has written to the govt, and they will be included in the beneficiary list after receiving approval, he said. Eligible beneficiaries are also being included in phases after removing old beneficiaries after their deaths, he added. He said administration has given pension to some beneficiaries on basis of available funds. Others will get in the next round and no one will be left out, he added.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Drive to modernise farming resumes in Mizoram after rain disruptions
1 2 Aizawl: After days of disruption due to heavy monsoon rains, the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) has resumed in Mizoram, covering over 700 villages across the state, joint director of state agriculture & farmers' welfare and VKSA nodal officer, B Ramnunsanga, said on Tuesday. VKSA is a nationwide campaign launched to modernise agriculture through scientific outreach, sustainable practices, and farmer empowerment. Originally scheduled from May 29 to June 12, during the pre-kharif season, the campaign faced delays due to intense rainfall, forcing officials to pause activities until June 5. Since then, authorities have reached 19,174 farmers, including 8,211 women, across 217 villages — with a possible extension of the campaign period under consideration. This flagship initiative seeks to bridge the gap between agricultural research and grassroots farming practices, directly connecting scientific advancements with farmers and contributing to the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision. Agricultural experts have been visiting farmers at their workplaces, offering technical guidance on enhancing rice and vegetable cultivation. Those engaged in pisciculture, sericulture, and animal husbandry are also receiving strategies to boost their yields. Additionally, experts are documenting challenges faced by those in agriculture and allied sectors, providing tailored verbal and written advice to help improve their practices.
New Indian Express
6 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.
