Similipal is under increasing stress over the time from overdependence on its resources by increasing population in the forest villages, poaching of wildlife and ecosystem degrading activities by people with vested-interests. The forest fires in large parts of the forests in recent summer testify to the detrimental human activities.
In such a context, the local communities need to function as the custodians of forest resources by extending support to the forest officials in Similipal.
Experts opined this while deliberating on the theme ‘Similipal — The Pride of Our Natural Heritage’ in a webinar organized under the auspices of the Orissa Environmental Society (OES).
OES president Dr Sundara Narayana Patro chaired the programme, while Field Director, Similipal Tiger Reserve and RCCF, Baripada,M Yogajayanand joined as the chief speaker of the event.
Yogajayanand highlighted various aspects of the Similipal forests that harbour a unique blend of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and Sub-Himalayan species. The forests are home to 70% of the tigers and 25% of elephants of the State, and are the fourth largest tiger reserve of the country. He deliberated on various measures undertaken by the Forest department to address to the current problems confronting the forest ecosystems, including the forest fire issue.
Dr Patro in his presidential remarks emphasized on relocation of the inside villages, and undertaking of carrying capacity study and special measures for eco-restoration and boosting of the tiger population.
At the beginning, OES secretary Dr Jaya Krushna Panigrahi in his welcome address opined that health of the natural ecosystems has an important bearing on the well-being of the human society. “Thus, our moral responsibility is to diminish such detrimental activities that put the Similipal forests into jeopardy and use their resources sustainably,” he stressed. OES vice president Dr Lala AK Singh introduced the guests.