Baleswar MP RK Jena has requested the Union Minister of Forest and Environment to exclude a part of Nilgiri NAC which falls under the eco sensitive zone of the Kuldiha sanctuary. He submitted a memorandum to Minister Prakash Javadekar in this regard recently.
“There has been a lot of commotion among the Nilgiri residents and they have the fear of losing their livelihood. The issue was apprised to the Union Minister and he has assured to do the best possible,” said Jena.
The Forest Department issued a notification about the Eco sensitive zone of the sanctuary and following it, the residents urged revocation of the notification and also staged demonstration and agitations earlier.
Divisional Forest Officer Harsh Bardhan Udgata said, “As per the guidelines of the Central Government, all the areas around 2 km radius of the sanctuary is coming under the eco sensitive zone and hence this would be acting as buffer zone. The residents would not be deprived of their traditional livelihood and on the other hand some activities, such as that of mining and other industries are forbidden.”