At a divisional level consultative workshop held here for preparation of comprehensive wild life management plan, several proposals were given by the participants.
They include establishment of an unit of Animal Disease Research laboratory (ADRl), digging of more trenches near the forest fringe villages to reduces the incidence of animal coming in contact with human beings, immunisation of animals in the forest fringe villages, digging of more big size ponds/water bodies inside the forest for animals, hike in compensation amount, improvement in information collection from grass root village divisional level forest officials to tackle the problem forest fire, destruction of forest and other illegal activities, incentives to Vana Surakshya Samiti (VSS) members and appointment of wildlife caretaker, besides conservation and protection of forest , were required to reduce the man animal conflict and to save wildlife and save forest for betterment of mankind.
Among others, the workshop was attended by the officials of railway, Wesco, Veterinary, Forest, OUAT students and wildlife experts. They shared their views on tackling wildlife problems in the district.
State coordinator of Wildlife Trust of India Ajaya Kumar Jena managed the discussion and took note of all the problems pointed out by officials in grass root level and facilitated the entire discussion. Circle coordinator Chandan Jani was present.
Earlier, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Bolangir Rashmi RanjanNayak made a detailed presentation on the forestry, wildlife and man animal conflict scenario in Bolangir district.
It would be pertinent to note that the total forest cover of Bolangir district is only 14.67 per cent. Thanks to less forest cover, loss of habitat, drying of drinking water source, electrocution, poaching, forest fire, wild animals are under threat.
Bolangir DFO RR Nayak appreciated the role of honorary wildlife warden Bolangir Sudhir Kumar Mishra in rescuing and providing treatment to injured animals and then releasing them to forest, along with other officials of Bolangir forest range, including the snake helpline members, in this effort.
More awareness generation on conservation of forest and wildlife animals at village level and effective involvement of VSS is required, the speakers opined.