A two-member team of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is on a visit to Odisha to finalise the Tiger Conservation Plans (TCPs) of the two tiger reserves of the State in Similipal and Satkosia. The plan, amongst other issues, will focus on development of corridors for tiger migration to Central India beside the issue of village relocation from core.
The two-member team comprises Member Secretary Rajesh Gopal, along with IG, NTCA, HS Negi visted the two reserves of Similipal and Satkosia to take stock of ground situation before the TCPs are assessed. The TCP is a 10-year management plan for a tiger habitat.
According to the sources in NTCA, the State had earlier submitted the TCP’s for both the reserves. It comprised plans for the core area, buffer zone as well as corridors of the respective tiger reserves. As per the Supreme Court guidelines, the TCP holds significance since it outlines the tiger tourism plans of the TR management. However, certain queries needed to be answered on the basis of ground assessment before finalising the TCP for the two reserves, said the sources.
The plans for both the reserves have laid specific importance on the corridor development to keep the tiger population healthy. Three corridors have been proposed in case of Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR).
The sources pointed out that since 1,194 sq km core of STR is connected to Central India tiger landscape, outlining of the corridors will help strengthen the genetic viability of the tiger population by allowing their greater migration and reduce chances of inbreeding. While the tiger population has improved in Simlipal during the last few years, Satkosia, is still a low-density tiger reserve.
The sources informed that visiting NTCA team apart from inspecting the micro-plan based on their site inspection, will also review and discuss the status of relocation of the human habitations from the core areas. In December last year, the STR management relocated 32 families from Upper Barakamra range to Asankuda village. Another 61 families had been relocated from Jenabil in 2010.
However, three more villages continue to exist in the core of STR. While talks are on for resettlement of villagers from one of these villagers, the situation has not progressed from the other two. Similarly, Satkosia Reserve management that has been trying to relocate human settlements from its core area has been unsuccessful.