An expert committee, appointed by the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW) of the State, has recommended that administrative set up of the geographical areas should be rearranged for effective management and strengthening conservation in Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR).
Headed by former Chief Wildlife Warden Saroj Patnaik, the committee has called for decentralisation of administrative authority suggesting that the core of the STR, measuring about 1,194 sq km, should be kept under management of the two Deputy Directors.
The entire STR and rest of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve which is currently under exclusive control of the Field Director (FD) should be divided into three parts for effective management. The two Deputy Directors should be headquartered at Baripada and Udala while the Divisional Forest Officer of Karanjia designated as Deputy Director too. Rest of the forest outside the biosphere reserve should be under management of Baripada.
The committee, which recently submitted the report to the CWW, also recommended that the core may be assigned the legal status of National Park and relocation of remaining villages must be expedited to make it free from any anthropogenic pressure.
Similarly, the areas that were added to the core and are free from habitation must also be notified as National Park pending final notification of the earlier one. The committee stated that administrative control of Keonjhar Wildlife Division with Hadagarh Sanctuary should be transferred from Chief Conservator of Forests, Rourkela to CCF, Baripada since this forms part of Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, sources in the CWW office said.
The Government land lying between Hadagarh, Kuldiha and Similipal should be accorded the legal status of conservation reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act to ensure unhindered movement of the jumbos.
Seeking an upgradation of protection strategy within Similipal, the committee stated that the State Government must invoke Section 197 (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 to provide immunity to the forest staff for use of fire arms in the line of the Assam Government’s notification. It may also extend the immunity to the entire State. Similarly, Evidence Act can also be used by the forest staff.
The committee recommended that fire arms and ammunition available with the protection staff should be augmented and additional weapons procured besides ensuring proper upkeep and training.
A reward system for police for support, installation of CCTV cameras at important check gates and creation of a special court in Mayurbhanj for disposal of cases have also been recommended.