Despite several representations to the authorities and efforts at different levels, the Mahendragiri Hills in Gajapati district, known for its rich natural heritages, is yet to be declared as a Biosphere.  The hilly track with historical, biological and anthropological significance has a unique cultural and mythological identity in the Eastern Ghats mountain range.

The area inhabited by primitive tribes like Lanjia Saura, Sudha Saura and Bhima Sauras is also known for its rich flora and fauna. “A unique biodiversity hotspot, as it is, needs serious consideration by both Union and State Governments to designate it as a Biosphere and Sanctuary to protect and conserve its rich natural resources,” said Orissa Environment Society (OES) president Dr Sundara Narayana Patro, who also happens to be a Member of State Government-designated  feasibility study committee constituted on November 2, 2011.

Patro was speaking at a Press conference organised jointly by the OES and the Mahendragiri Surakshya Samiti here on Sunday after a daylong consultation workshop on “Integrated Development of Mahendragiri Hill Complex”. 

The organisers demanded that declaration of a Biosphere Reserve be based on The Wildlife Institute of India (WII)’s recommendation of setting up a Wildlife Sanctuary in the Mahendragiri Hills and the Union Government’s suggestion to the Odisha Government in 1992 which had suggested that the hills be considered as such by enlarging the area and encompassing the entire hill with the sanctuary as its core.

This would enable conservation of the historical sites, anthropology and ethno botany of the tract.

 The then Union Minister of Environment & Forests Kamal Nath had replied to a representation of former Brahmapur MP Gopinath Gajapati in this regard.

Patro further stated that at the initiatives of the OES, the Forest & Environment Department of Odisha, a seven-member committee had been constituted in November 2011 to study the feasibility of considering the Mahendragiri Hills as a Biosphere Reserve. The committee in its fourth meeting held on December 20, 2014 had unanimously agreed in principle to propose the biosphere. 

Mahendragiri Surakshy Parishad president Laxmi Baba said, “The Mahendragiri hill complex should be considered as a Biosphere as well as heritage because of its religious and mythological importance besides conservation of its rich medicinal plants. Besides, development of the hill complex will protect and ensure life and livelihoods’ of local community.”

Laxmi Baba pointed out that in recognition of its mythological significance, Mahendragiri finds a place in the list of 15 sites identified under the Ramayana Circuit as one of the 13 thematic circuits identified for development under the the Swadesh Darshan scheme of the Government of India. The organisers demanded that the Odisha Government send the proposal to the Union Government for declaring the Mahendragiri Hills as a Biosphere Reserve. The Government of India is also urged to initiate a process to nominate the hill complex to the UNESCO for inclusion in a tentative list of World Heritage Sites.

The organisers also proposed to the Government to develop ecotourism in the area and urged the Archeological Survey of India to start conservation efforts of the ancient temple monuments in the hilly track.

Among others, State Assembly Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro, OES secretary Dr JK Panigrahi and representatives of local communities participated in the discussions at the convention.