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‘Save biosphere reserve from clutches of poachers’

BHUBANESWAR: Timber mafias and poachers were out to plunder forest resources in absence of surveillance teams in the aftermath of naxal attack on government establishments in famous Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR) in Mayurbhanj district.

Since March 28 this year, Forest Department officials have deserted their duty posts apprehending attack by left wing extremists and this helped timber mafias and poachers take full advantage of the situation, alleged Mayurbhanj Forum at a press conference here on Sunday.

The forum comprising of concerned citizens of the district said tree felling and hunting of wildlife had been rampant during past couple of months. It displayed images of destructions inside SBR.

“One or two blasts by naxalites shattered everything. It is very painful to witness fast depletion of forest and wildlife resources which have been conserved for decades in Similipal,” said Bibhu Prasad Das of the forum.

Mr. Das said large scale felling of trees was noticed in Lembugada Forest, Dhuduruchampa and Baliguda under Nawna forest range of the biosphere.

Severed limbs of Wildboar and Sambar, even of elephants were spotted under Pithabata range during frequent visits of teams sent by forum, he alleged.

The total area of this SBR is 5,569 sq km. Similipal is the home to 94 species of orchids and about 3,000 species of other plants.

These include two species of orchids, which are endemic, eight plants which are endangered, eight species whose status is vulnerable and 34 other rare species of plant.

Similipal is famous for its tiger population.

The identified species of fauna include 12 species of amphibians, 29 species of reptiles, 264 species of birds and 42 species of mammals, all of which collectively highlight the Biodiversity richness of Similipal. Recently SBR was included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

Mayurbhanj Forum demanded immediate restoration surveillance mechanism for protecting resources of this unique biodiversity. “Either paramilitary forces should be deployed or forest personnel with increased strength should return to do the duty to prevent further plunder,” said Bhanumitra Acharya here.

The State government had also mooted deployment of a CRPF battalion to keep poachers at bay.

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