The area from Balarampur to Darpani situated on the southern bank of the Brahmini river is no longer having its past vegetation. The writer was in charge of the forest by-range during 1961-62.
The whole forest was spread over Balarampur, Gadmadhupur, Kalakale and Darpani ex-Zamindaris under Cuttack district. But at present these ex- Zamindaries are under the Jajpur revenue administration. The entire forest range consists of a number of hillocks, plain lands and wetlands.
loamy, sandy and lateritic and bouldery soils are found in the region. The soils are formed out of weathering actions and decomposition of biological products of plants and animals. The range extends up to Balichandrapur, where Ratnagiri Buddhist hillocks are located. The whole landmass covers several hillocks arranged like a chain. The hill chain starts from Bichhakhandi hill of Chamsathipada area to Jenapur railway station and Maula Bhanj Pahar of Balarampur ex- Zamindary.
There are several other hillocks like Madhupur Garh, Nischanta pahar, Baruha, Haridaspur, Chandikhol, Mahabinayak, Dhanmandal, Badachana, Jaraka , etc.-- all these hillocks generally cover granite rocks and bouldery soils which are now extensively used as stone quarries. There are also small hills between Nirgundi railway junction and Jagatpur, Jagatpur and Bichhakhandi etc.
The general economic condition of the region is very poor where a majority of people survive only on daily labour and collection of forest produces and quarrying activities. Chips, metals, lateritic stones and muhrums are transported to Cuttack, Choudwar, Jajpur towns and Jajpur- road from this area.
A majority of people of the region is landless who works as agricultural labourers, fisher men and wood cutters. Tribals, sub – tribals, schedule caste and other backward classes constitute a majority of its population. Nature has provided them enough of resources yet they are poor.
Within the hills, Sal and its associate species are the dominant trees. Tropical dry deciduous and tropical semi evergreen forests with bamboo bushes are found in the region. There were several forest blocks, which were unreserved village forests in the area years back. Now all the hillocks of this region are bald headed having no blade of grass over them. Soil erosion is a major problem in the area.
The poor inhabitants who used to depend on the forests for various purposes during the Zamindary period are now deprived of the privilege as the rich flora and fauna have gone. There was another small but rich Zamindary called Chausathipada. This Zamidary consisting of 64 villages is situated on the bank of Brahmani river. The entire soil is fertile. Here the Bichhakhandi hills are found. These hills have been transferred into stone quarries these days. The whole Dalijora forest range with headquarters at Bayeer is situated in Bayee village. But it too has been transferred into a quarry zone by private metal traders.
There are many lateritic as well as muhrrum quarries in Dalijora, Dorpani and Madhupur Zamindaries. Siju, a thorny plant, is generally found aplenty in this region. The goats generally feed on this species.
These Zamidaries are very close to Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, our old and new capitals. The contribution of these Zamindaries for growth of these towns into cities is enormous. There are several wetlands in these areas. The fishing communities called Tihars earn their livelihoods from these water bodies in the region. The Tihars are landless, but they have managed to thrive here. The duration of flooding determines the efficiency of aquatic marsh or swamp flora and fauna. Another important factor is maintenance of fertility.
These Zamindaries although were politically different, but maintained uniformity from topographic, hydrologic and vegetative point of view. Due to rise of several crusher units, these areas have now fallen victim to acute air and water pollution.
land grab is also rampant in the area since no attempt was made by the State Forest department to demarcate and protect the reserve forest blocks as yet. The land grabbers are hand in glove with the local politicians.
The writer was associated with the localities for pretty long years. There were extensive areas of wasteland and swamp land covering an area of hundreds of square kilo metres starting from Madhupur – Garah Pahar to Haridashpur hillocks in the east and Pakhar revenue village in south to (BNR) Railway line in the north. It was the nature’s aquaculture farm as it provided livelihoods to hundreds of Tiahar families of Madhupur ex- estate. Now this massive nature aquaculture farm is lost.
The vast wetlands of Madhupur ex- estate is a beautiful tourist as well as picnic spot. As this tourist spot is very much close to Cuttack and Bhubaneswar and is well communicated by rail and road, its potential should be tapped to the fullest extent. If tourism gets a boost here, it can also improve the economic wellbeing of the local people. The boating facilities at Madhupurpata can be improved. The Chaini hillocks can be made green through extensive plantation of trees. Similarly the harvesting of solar energy of the area can also be taken up at a bigger scale.
The region is very much neglected and it seems the Government has lost sight of it. Because of the simplicity of the local people, the powerful politicians and people close to them have grabbed valuable lands of the region. They have set up quarries and are polluting the atmosphere like anything.
(The writer is a former senior forest officer and an environmentalist. Tel no 9937460649)