The State Government on Saturday put in place a five-year integrated action plan of Rs 24.19 crore for the development of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve in Mayurbhanj district.
Accordingly, the Government has approved a Rs 4.85 crore- project for the current year.
The proposal was cleared at the Biosphere Reserve Management Council meeting headed by Chief Secretary AP Padhi here on Saturday.
The Chief Secretary directed the Forests and Environment Department to create new livelihood souces for the inhabitants of the area.
The funds to be spent for various projects under the action plan would be shared by the Union Government and the State Government at different ratios 60:40 and 50:50.
Among others, Additional Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Similipal Tiger Reserve Deputy Director Jajnadatta Pati and Field Director Harish Kumar Basisth were present.It may be noted that the Similipal Biosphere Reserve spreads over 5,569 square km area, which includes 1,194.75 sq km core area, 1,335.86 sq km buffer area and 3,038.39 sq km transition area.
While many villages have already been shifted to other places after being promised of adequate compensation, there are one village in the core area, 64 in buffer area and 1,200 villages in transition area. A total of 6 lakh tribal people are residing in these villages.
Similipal is one of the 10 biosphere reserves of the country which have got Unesco status.