BARIPADA: There has been a remarkable increase in forest cover in Mayurbhanj district due to systematic management and implementation of Forest Conservation Act. What is more heartening is the fact that green cover in Very Dense Forest (VDF) category, which is on a decline across the State, has increased by 10 sq km in the tribal-dominated district.
Deputy Director of Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) Jagyandatta Pati said forest cover has increased by more than 42 sq km as per the latest Indian State of Forest Report-2017. The Very Dense Forest (VDF) category has increased from 1,325 sq km in 2015 to 1,335 sq km in 2017. Similarly, Moderate Dense Forest (MDF) has increased by 10 sq km from 1,708 sq km in 2015 and to 1,718 sq km in 2017. Open Forest (OF) has increased from 1,005 sq km in 2015 to 1,027 sq km in 2017, informed Pati.
The total forest area, which was 4,038 sq km in 2015, has increased to 4,080 sq km which is 39.16 per cent of the total geographical area. The figure is well above the national target of 33 per cent, Pati said.
Intensive protection of the tiger reserve, successful community forest management through Vana Surakshya Samiti, Sabuja Bahini and Eco Development Committee besides successful plantations are the main reasons for the increase in green cover, he said.
“Increase in both green cover and quality of forests is a welcome sign for STR,” Pati added. The forests of Mayurbhanj is a prime habitat for tigers, leopards and herbivores likes elephants and gaurs. It is also the source of major rivers like Budhabalanga, Salandi, West Deo, East Deo and Palpala.