The Odisha Government has failed to comply with the direction of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over man-animal conflict resulting in human causalities at Bhitarakanika National Park in Kendrapada.
Acting on a petition filed by rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy in this regard the NHRC on November 19 had sought an action taken report from the Chief Secretary within four weeks. But the direction is yet to be complied. The petitioner alleged that due to the failure of the State Government villagers of nearby Bhitarkanika National Park are being victim of wild animals in regular intervals.
“The gravity of man-animal conflict has become so deep that it became a poll plank in last general election in several villages close to Bhitarkanika. Hit by menace unleashed by estuarine crocodiles, and wild boar, the voters are a peeved lot as politicians have not done a little to mitigate the woes of the locals residing at the fringes of Bhitarkanika National Park. Even, the livelihoods of the locals are in stake following Bhitarknaika has been declared national park, wildlife sanctuary prohibitory measures were enforced,” alleged Tripathy in the petition.