Conserving tiger corridors a key step' ; Other news on forest ,wildlife, and forest fire published in the Pioneer (2019-2021)

 

32 elephants found during census in B'ngir

Saturday, 03 June 2017 | PNS | BALANGIR

    

A total of 32 elephants were found in the Balangir Forest Division during the four-day Elephant Census-2017 which was carried out from May 9 to 12.

According to forest office sources, out of the 32 elephants, there are five adult males (tuskers), 20 females, four sub-adults and three calves.

While 31 elephants were sighted in the Salebhata section of the loisingha Forest Range, only one was spotted in the larambha section of the Patnagarh Forest Range.

The elephants were sighted at Gajar Munda (a big water body) near Nuniapali and Kesipali village under the Salebhata section and larambha beat in the Patnagarh Forest Range.

A total of 25 Machans had been erected in the Balangir, loisingha, Deogaon, Patnagarh and lathore Forest Ranges for the elephant census.

DFO Rashmi Ranjan Nayak, ACF Goutam Naik, Honourary Wildlife Warden Sudhir Mishra; loisingha Range Officer Nabin Das and Forester Sunil Mishra coordinated and monitored the census.

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Calf born in jumbo herd on prowl in B’ngir

Tuesday, 26 November 2019 | PNS | BALANGIR

    

0The residents of Upperjhar and nearby villages in Balangir forest range who have been facing an elephant menace and suffering crop loss due to damages caused by a pachyderm herd for last 15days woke up to a news of birth of a baby elephant in the herd. At around 3.30 am, the baby elephant was born in Upperjhar forest.

“Our forest staff noticed the baby elephant on Monday morning. After the birth of baby, the herd took it inside the forest. Our staff are keeping a tab on the movement of elephants there,” said Divisional Forest Officer, Balangir, Sameer Satpathy.

There are around 12 elephants, including the newborn, in the herd, which has been staying in the Upperjhar forest area over last fortnight. As there is a dense forest and water bodies like Muda and a minor irrigation project inside the forest, the elephants are finding the spot ideal. They are also getting enough of paddy crop and sugarcane cultivated in nearby areas.  

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‘Turn B'ngir waterfalls into eco-tourism spots'

Friday, 13 December 2019 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR

    

On the occasion of the International Day of Mountains, villagers of Sagadghat have demanded that the two natural waterfalls, Kadalijharan and Aam Jharan, in the Barnei mountain,in Titilagarh Forest Range,65km from here, be developed as ecotourism spots.

The Sagadghat villagers,led by Sarpanch Olita Sahu,  appraised their demand to Balangir Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sameer Satpathy,who visited the spot on Wednesday. The DFO urged the villagers to protect forest and mountain and assured them to take necessary measures in this regard.

There are two mountain streams, namely Kadalijharan and Aam Jharan.While Aam Jharan (stream) is at the top,the Kadalijharan is at the bottom of the mountain. Besides this ,there are numerous jharans (stream) in the Burni mountain.

Earlier a sage was living here.There were large numbers of mango and banana trees. One would get plenty to eat.

There is a belief going on that anybody who brought fruits  from the top of the moutain would find them turn stone after reaching the foot of the hill.

Moreover, the mountain stream water is believed to contain medicinal properties and bathing there is beneficial. There is a Shiva Linga in the mountain which appeared to have  come up naturally.

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Elephant kills woman in Balangir

Sunday, 12 April 2020 | PNS | BALANGIR

    

An elephant trampled a 90-year-old woman to death after destroying a house at Hanupali village under Khaprakhol block in Balangir district late on Friday night.

The deceased was identified as Belamati Bariha.

The tusker strayed into the village and destroyed the house belonging to Srimukha Bariha. Earlier, the elephant had also eaten paddy and other food articles stored in the house.

Although Srimukha managed to flee from the house, his mother Belamati failed to come out and fell victim to the elephant attack.

Belamati was rushed to the CHC in Khaprakhol and later was shifted to the Patnagarh Sub-Divisional Hospital, where she was declared dead.

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Narasingha urges people to plant trees

Wednesday, 08 July 2020 | PNS | BALANGIR

    

Local MLA and Congress Legislature Party Leader Narasingha Mishra on Tuesday called upon people to plant more trees to protect environment and meet climate change challenges.

He was speaking at a Bana Mahotsav at Khamarmunda organised by the Balangir Forest Range. He planted an Amla tree on the occasion.

He stressed the need to plant locally-suited and medicinal plants like Bahada, Arjuna and Amla trees.

DFO Sameer Satpathy claimed that forest cover in the district has increased. He said a plantation programme would be undertaken to plant trees on a four-km stretch of National Highway divider beginning from the Balongir Collectorate. Assistant Conservator of Forest BC Roul briefed about the Bana Mohotsav. Social distancing and other Covid norms were followed.

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Conserving tiger corridors a key step'

Tuesday, 01 September 2020 | PNS | BALANGIR

    

Corridor conservation requires much attention for tiger conservation in India and at the same time  transborder conservation especially with Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh should also get priority, observed former  Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Anup Nayak at a Webinar.

The discussion was on future of tiger conservation in India, organised by Stripes and Green Earth [SAGE] Foundation, Kolkata on Sunday evening and attended by conservationist, wildlife enthusiasts, researchers from Bangladesh, Kenya, Canada and from different parts of India including West Bengal, Odisha, Rajasthan  and Madhya Pradesh 

Nayak also said about importance of conservation of  30 per cent tigers outside protected areas which is key a step in tiger conservation by Involving local people, NGOs etc.

A few years ago, an amendment on NTCA protocol was made on hiring private hunters/shooters to eliminate problematic tigers.

A study is going on this issue, replied Nayak to a question by  Dr Jaswinder Sandhu From Canada on rewinding white tigers and saving their gene pools.

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Jumbo scare grips B’ngir villages

Monday, 14 September 2020 | PNS | BALANGIR

    

Even as the soaring Covid-19 positive cases continue to heighten worries of the people and administration in the district, in forests of Athgaon and Upparjhar villages, a herd of 14 elephants has been on the move and damaging paddy crop, increasing the ordeal of farmers further.https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif

The elephants on Thursday night came to the villages and damaged crop.  “We had cultivated paddy crop with much difficulty in the lockdown situation.

Last year, we got very low amount of compensation.

With the present loss due to the elephant menace, we have been hit badly.” said a farmer of Phatamunda village.  “We are keeping a tab on the movement of jumbos,” said a forest official.

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Cycle rally in B’ngir to sensitise people on forest fire

Thursday, 18 March 2021 | PNS | BALANGIR

    

·         With a view to sensitising villagers on forest fire and its prevention, a bicycle rally was flagged off by retired professor Madhusudan Pati on Wednesday. Participated by students, youths, social workers, journalists and staffs of the Forest Department including the local Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), the rally marched through the town and then a meeting was held at village Gandhrel, which witnessed forest fire recently.

Village women, youths and members of the Vana Surakshya Samiti participated in the programme. They were told how forest fire occurs and how it could be prevented. The speakers included Hemanta Panda, Bolangir DFO Sameer Satpathy, Birendra Jhankar, Sudhir Mishra, among many others. Responding to a point mentioned by Balangir Block Chairman Golap Bag, DFO Satpathy announced that the Vana Surakshya Samti (VSS) of Phuljharan village would get the incentive announced by the Government for checking and recording zero occurrence of forest fire in their forest.

VSS members of Gandhrel would also get torchlights which would help them climb down from the mountain after dousing the forest fire in night, Satpathy said.All those present in the meeting took a pledge to check occurrence of forest fire and save the forests.

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8 deer die in 3 days at Harishankar Park

Thursday, 05 August 2021 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR

    

As many as eight spotted deer have died due to suspected infection at the Harishankar Deer Park in last three days. On August 1, six deer died while two more perished in the next two days.

This has dismayed animal lovers here.Alarmed at this development, a team of veterinary doctors from Bhubaneswar visited the deer park on Tuesday and collected samples for further examination. According to sources, the death of the deer was due to a sudden drop in temperature and infighting among the animals.  However the other deer are responding to the treatment given by the veterinarians and the  situation is under control.Balangir Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Nitish Kumar, who visited the park on Tuesday along with the veterinary doctors told the local official to keep three deer in isolation and assured to take further steps to remove the problem of space constraints.

The exact cause of the death of deer would be known only after a laboratory test report is received, said the DFO to this correspondent over phone.

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Jumbo kills man, injures another in Balangir

Saturday, 18 September 2021 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR

    

In an unfortunate incident, an elephant killed one Yadav Rana (45) of village Brahmani under the Harishankar Forest Range in Balangir district on Thursday night.

The jumbo, after coming to the village at around 9 pm, began damaging Rana’s house. When Rana came out of the house, the elephant killed him on the spot. The elephant stayed at the village overnight and attacked another person, Tarani Bhoi (35) on Friday morning leaving him seriously injured.

Harishankar Range Officer Sribatsa Kumura said, “getting information, we reached the spot in the morning and facilitated shifting of  injured person to the Khapraphol medical for treatment.” Since last two days, the elephant was moving in Chabripali, Bhanupali and adjoining villages eating paddy crop. “We believe the elephant has come from the Padampur side of Bargarh district and we are keeping a watch on its movement. The jumbo is now inside the forest near a village of Gandhmardan forest,” said Kumura to this correspondent over phone. Balangir Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Nitish Kumar said, “We have initiated the compensation-giving process; and by today evening, Rs 40,000 (10 ten percent of the total amount) would be given to the deceased’s family; and we would complete the payment of compensation within a fortnight.”

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Balangir DFO wins Green Warrior Award

Tuesday, 26 October 2021 | PNS | BALANGIR

    

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Balangir, Nitish Kumar was given the “Green Warrior”honour this year by the NatWest Group India at Earth Heroes Awards on October 20 through virtual mode. Institutionalised in 2011, the NatWest Group Earth Heroes Award in its 11th year, is a national initiative that recognises efforts of individuals and institutions across India who are working tirelessly to subvert climate change by conserving and preserving the rich biodiversity of the country for a better relationship between the society and nature. As many as eight winners were felicitated via a virtual ceremony that was graced by the chief guest Secretary-General, Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), UNIvonne Higuero. Nitish Kumar who  joined the Odisha Forest Service in 2014 as an Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) was  known for his valuable contributions towards afforestation, infrastructure development, enforcement (protection), and converting technology into conservation outcomes in the Kalahandi North Division. Besides his work extensively on soil and moisture conservation to improve wildlife habitat of the Kalahandi North Division was widely appreciated. From 2018 to 2020,  he was instrumental in formulating Fire Control Rapid Response team in the area as forest fires are a major cause of wildlife habitat degradation in the Kalahandi North Division. Nitish Kumar was also the first to introduce drone technology in the Odisha Forest Departmen

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Farmer killed in jumbo attack in Balangir

Tuesday, 30 November 2021 | PNS | BALANGIR

    

A person was killed in an elephant attack at Bhalupali village under the Loisingha Forest Range in Balangir district on Monday morning.

The deceased was identified as Gopal Podh (40), who had gone to his paddy field when he was attacked by a jumbo.

For the last three days, a herd of 35 elephants have strayed into the area and are destroying crops at night.

The death of villager sparked tension in the village and people manhandled the frontline forest staffs, though they tried their best to drive away the herd.

“The death of the villager in the elephant attack is unfortunate..We have already released 10 per cent of the compensation to deceased’s family and the rest amount would be given after the necessary official process said Balangir DFO Nitish Kumar.

“We have already started the process to install high-mast lights in the affeceted area and I appeal people to cooperate with frontline staffs in handling the situation,” Kumar said.

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Red-crested pochards birds are moving in the pond water of Bolangir ;By Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

 

Migrants' kids suffer most during Covid pandemic Saturday, 17 July 2021 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR

 

Migrants' kids suffer most during Covid pandemic

Saturday, 17 July 2021 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR

    

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The outbreak of corona pandemic not only posed a serious threat to the healthcare system and claimed lives but also disrupted the livelihood and education of children, especially migrants' children who remain invisible to the people and administration.

Due to the unprecedented Covid-19, despite preventive measures taken up by both the State and Central Governments, thousands of migrant workers and their children including infants and adolescents faced a lot of hardship. During the first wave of the pandemic, around 10 million migrant workers were traumatised and suffered massively due to the lockdowns. The Supreme Court in April directed all States to inform about the number of migrant children and their condition on a petition seeking directions for the protection of Fundamental Rights of migrants' children amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic forced the authority to close schools and the system of imparting education was changed.

 Online teaching and learning enabled through television, WhatsApp and web-based education were the options. As children of seasonal migrant workers in normal times spend half of their life in movement from source to destination, there is always a problem of enrolment and retention among them. The pandemic situation further added to their vulnerabilities. Migrants' children are disadvantaged in terms of enrolling and attending school, and are at a lower grade for their age with the disparity deepening with age progression. The Covid-19 has immensely affected the education of these vulnerable children. These children not only were excluded as usual but lost education both at source and destination. The second wave of Covid pandemic forced their migrant parents to take them along from place to place.

According to a study  by Aide et Action, in 82  brick kilns in Patna, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar and Chennai and 27 construction sites in Hyderabad it was found that a majority of  migrating parents are  from Odisha (52 parents) followed by Telangana (23 parents) and Bihar (18 parents). Rest were from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Maharashtra. The school going age children was 56% out of 213 children there. 79per cent migrant parents informed that closure of schools due to Covid-19 compelled them to bring their school going children with them and only 11per cent of the parents said that since there was no one to take care of the children at the village, especially the girl children, they had to bring them with them.

The Covid-19 pandemic also witnessed a rise in the number of migrant children this year than the previous year. 49per cent of children were in the age group of 6-14 years who migrated along with parents this year. The reasons for the rise in the number of migrant children to worksites were closure of village school, lack of safety for girls and closure of seasonal hostels. Besides, a majority of migrant children don’t have access to online classes. "I have been migrating to brick kilns for the last two years.  Since the school was closed, I took my children along with my family. However, there was no facility of education available in the worksite and my children have not received any education since I arrived," said Mahadev Sa (27) of Matiabhata Village of Khaprakhol block.

 Even though some migrant families had smartphones, as they carry mobile phones to work sites, children could not avail the facility during the day time, not to mention those who are without it. More interestingly, other parents said they did not want to put additional burden on buying internet data. However, some parents lamented that even after their return they could not enrol the children in school "I could not enrol myself in the school as the school was closed," said Jharana Sahu(15) of Matiabhata village in Khaprakhol block. "I had gone to brick kiln with my parents and after my return I could not enrol myself in school as the school is closed for last two years.

Moreover I do not have smart phone .Hence I cannot avail online class," said Jharana.According to the survey, 56% of parents said they left most of their children with the grandparents.  30% did it with relatives while only 2 % of parents left their children in seasonal hostels initiated by the Government."All schools at the source should create a comprehensive database of migrant children and never enrol children and other school dropouts and a special drive for reintegration of migrant children into the education process at the source be initiated.

Government needs to encourage education volunteers to initiate remedial classes at the households for children to prepare for re-schooling," said programme manager, Aide et Action, Bhubaneswar, Saroj Barik. Moreover, the administration should take steps to accommodate the returnee migrant children and stop them from re-migrating again in the next upcoming migration cycle through expansion of seasonal hostels, opined Barik. Director of Migration and Education,Aide et Action International Umi Daniel said effective functioning of mechanism for interState coordination for migrant children’s education is  badly required.

On a priority basis migrant children who have been systematically excluded from accessing the online classes and various Government entitlements like Mid Day Meal(MDM), text book, uniforms and other financial support should be provided with all facilities.

More children should be accommodated in the seasonal hostels and those migrating out should be provided education,care and protection  at the destination States. Those who are recruited as child labourer at the source be prevented, rescued and effectively rehabilitated. A comprehensive migrant child monitoring and tracking drive should be undertaken as soon as possible, Daniel emphasized.

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Sabji cooler save farmer’s to dump their vegetables, Improves bargaining power of farmers in Bolangir ;SudhirMishra /Bolangir

Sabji cooler save farmer’s to dump their vegetables due to distress sale;

Improves bargaining powerand economic condition, in Bolangir.

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By

Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

;6th May2021

It is a common sight in rural areas to find farmers resorting to distress sale of their vegetables at throwaway price ,to middleman unscrupulous traders and even throwing of unsold vegetables due to lack of storage facility at home.

Vegetables are perishable commodities and which need to be stored in a cold storage to keep in good condition which is lacking in Bolangir district.A cold storage construction requires huge investment, points out a local here.

But now Mother Nature has a answer to the farmer’s woes and the natural Sabji cooler,which donot require electricity , can store vegetables for five to six days in its chamber and keep its fresh,is providing benefits to the farmers of Muribahal in Bolangir

 

What is a Sabji Cooler?

 

 It’s a brick-and-mortar storage facility with a covering on top. It works on the principle of evaporative cooling and does not require any utilities / electricity except watering once in a day.  The cooling chamber temperature is lower than the ambient temperature by a margin of 5-15°C (depending on ambient relative humidity) and maintains a high relative humidity of above 85-90% inside the cooling chamber. The low temperature and high humidity inside the chamber preserve the vegetable crop for five to eight days. The storage capacity of one unit is 1 quintal, explain a civil society member

   

Technical Support

The RuKart Technology and PRADANprovided all kinds of  Technical as well as Technological support. The RuKart Technology also provided awareness & capacity building support and trained Producer’s group members on appropriate use of cooling unit explain a civil society member

 

There are 105 women farmers involved in the Subhadra Producer group (PG),under the scheme for promotion of agriculture production under the Agricultural production clusters(APC) of which 90 members are actively involved in vegetable production.

 

These members, in last year, selected Onion, Tomato, Chilli, Brinjal, Bitter gourd (Vegetable crops) and Arhar, Ground Nut (Pulses) as winter crops and cultivated in 84.2 acres. PG members sold a total 424.6 quintals of above mentioned products through collective as well as outlet marketing. Last year, the group members faced many challenges for marketing.

 

Due to lockdown, many times they could not sell their products in the right time nor could they store in any storage facility. Consequently, farmers with no storage facilities were compelled to sell their crops at throwaway prices. Therefore, as per the demand and need of Producer group  members, one cooling unit was installed in the village. Till today, 9 Producer group members have been accessing the facility regularly since the day of installation, says Bhajaram Sahu of Janamukti Anusthan

However in this natural sabji cooler natural crop,which is grown inside the soil  like onion, Reddish, and some other crop cannot be stored.

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Advantage

Earlier they used to collect vegetables only once in a week, the day before the weekly market and on an average20% of vegetables got wasted due to lack of storage facility, especially during summer.

After installation of Subjee Cooler they don’t wait for market day rather collect their products in the right time i.e. twice in a week and store in the cooling unit for 3-4 days. On the market day, they sell their fresh vegetables and get good prices. Again, the unsold produces are stored in Subjee Cooler and sold on next day either to middle-man or consumer directly, points out Bhajaram Sahu of Jana Mukti Anusthan Bongomunda

 “Now, the markets are closed for Saturday & Sunday due to weekend lockdown, yet we can collect our vegetables on time, store in Sabjee Cooler and sell on Monday. It would help us to reduce loss from farm to market during the lockdown period and consequently increase our income. Because of the fresh contain of our vegetables we can sell in 20-30% higher price than others, says another  group member.

Earlier we were facing loss in the vegetable business. After the installation of Sabji cooler we were  able sell our produce in the market without any worry and we thank the district collector and others for this support,says Mamata Rana, a member of the producer group.

District Collector of Bolangir Sri Chanchal Rana, inaugurated one cooling unit of Maa Sarala PG of Bramhni village in Muribahal block two months ago on 25^th February 2021

 

“The sabji cooler is a eco friendly, non electricity based cooling system which increases the shelf life of vegetables and fruits by a few days so that they remain marketable’ says District Collector  Chanchal Rana .

“Taken up on a pilot basis by 10 GP level SHG federation, and funded out of the District mineral fund, it also involves financial contribution of the members as well. It has been taken up in APC (Agriculture production Clusters) areas and has shown very good results. Farmers now have the flexibility to store and sell in the market as per price conditions and not undergo distress sale. More groups will be sent on exposure visits to these areas and then it will be replicated across the district,” Rana says further.

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Set zero forest fire goal in Odisha: Experts Friday, 16 April 2021 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR

 

Set zero forest fire goal in Odisha: Experts

Friday, 16 April 2021 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR

 

The forest department must set a goal of zero fires in forthcoming times. This was among the important views emerged in a webinar on forest fire held recently, organised by the RCDC and the Odisha Commons Exchange.

The motto was to understand the present situation of forest fire in Odisha, especially in the context of this having happened at greater frequency in the months of February. Forest fire in Odisha usually occurs from March to May.

And much to the surprise of many, this year the forest fire started from mid of February and the huge forest fire in the Similipal Biosphere reserve captured the attention of the national and international media with Odisha topping the list of forest fire incidents in the country. According to the Forest Survey of India (FSI), at least 5,291 forest fires were recorded in Odisha between February 22 and March 1, the highest in the country for the same period. Forest and Environment Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh informed the State Assembly recently that since January this year till date ( March 24, 2021) 23,473 fire incidents have been reported in the State devouring about 159 square km of forest.

Joining the webinar, many experts on forest and enviornment kept their opinions as to how to effectively deal with the forest fires. Incidents of forest fire are increasing. Explaining the various causes, Prabhat Mishra told how community members have been traditionally proactive on reporting and putting out forest fires in association with workers of the Forest Department.  Forest fires are more prominent in deciduous forests and maximum number of incidents occurred in south Odisha, opined RCCF BrahmspurManoj Mahapatra. He called upon all stakeholders to cooperate in preventing and mitigating forest fires. Mahapatra  pointed out how the department was  taking note of community efforts and providing incentives to encourage positive changes. He sought cooperation of all to fight forest fire effectively.

 The process of approving individual and community forest rights should be stepped up to enthuse the community to do more and the process of CFR management should go a long way in protecting and conserving forests, pointed out Satya Pattnaik.

He was of the opinion that capacity of all stakeholders must be strengthened and coordination must improve to address the menace.As per the satellite data, forest fire clusters are developing in certain pockets of Odisha and it is important to keep watch on them. He dwelt on the climatic factors that could be driving the fires, said Barna Baibhav Panda The Forest Department continues to look upon the forest as a production unit.

It should change its stance and concentrate on conservation of forests with an eye towards enriching the livelihoods of the forest dwellers, said Gitanjali Sahoo, adding that the State must strengthen the Forest Department and enhance coordinated efforts.Forests are vital and all the inhabitants of the Earth should think of themselves as one community and look after the welfare of forests, said Nibedita Dash.

While Odisha excelled in achieving zero casualty in the disaster management like of cyclone ,efforts of the State Forest Department should be to achieve the goal of zero fires, opined Dr Ambika Nanda.The Forest Department should engage and involve youths in mitigating forest fires, besides sensitizing the women on forest fire and its prevention, opined Kailash Dash.

Community is moving away from viewing forests as an essential resource particularly as modern life is moving away from nature towards artificial goods like plastic and proper marketing of MFP could reverse the stance, said Kulamani Sahu.There is the  need for a long term plan to mitigate forest fires keeping in view the impacts of climate change.

There is also a need to renew the interests of the community in forests and ensure their rights over resource. The community is best managers of forests and traditional ways of forest management must be renewed, said Pradeep Brahma.

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Forest Department should strive towards the goal of zero fires; Webinar on Forest fire;By Sudhir Mishra /Bolangir

 By

Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

7thApril2021

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Bolangir ;While state of Odisha in the disaster management, especially in Cyclone has achieved zero casualty, efforts of the State looks forward to zero casualties and called upon the Forest Department to ensure  towards the goal of zero fires in forthcoming times

This was  the important views that emerged in a webinar on forest fire held recently(2^nd April2021) organized by  RCDC and Odisha Commons Exchange, to understand the present the situation of forest fire in Odisha, especially in the context of this happening in the months of February, a forest fire in wildlife sanctuaries and contribution of climate change to it,  Explore the immediate actions to be taken for prevention of forest fire in the remaining months of summer, and to develop the broad contours of a long term strategy for mitigating forest fire by taking the communities into confidence,

 

Forest fire in Odisha is usually occurred from March to May in Odisha. And much to the surprise of many But this year forest fire , started from mid of February and the huge forest fire in the Similipal Biosphere reserve captured the attention of the national and international media and Odisha figured in the top of the list of forest fire incidents in the country.

According to the Forest Survey of India (FSI), at least 5,291 forest fires were recorded in Odisha between 22^nd February and 1^st March , the highest in the country for the same period. Forest and Environment Minister of Odisha Bikram Keshari Arukh has informed the State Assembly in session now that since January this year till date (24^th March2021) 23,473 fire incidents have been reported in the state devouring about 159 square kms of forest

 

Incidents of forest fire are increasing. Explaining the various causes and Sri Prabhat Mishra told how community members have been traditionally proactive on reporting and putting out forest fires in association with workers of the Forest Department.

 

Forest fires, it has been observed   mostly anthropogenic and forest fires were more prominent in deciduous forests and maximum number occurred in South Odisha opines Manoj Mahapatra RCCF Berhamputr He called upon all stakeholders to cooperate in preventing and mitigating forest fires. Sri Mohapatra  pointed out how the Department is  taking note of community efforts and providing incentives to encourage positive changes, and he sought cooperation all to fight forest fire effectively.

 

The process of approving individual and community forest rights should step up to enthuse the community to do more and the process of CFR management would go a long way in protecting and conserving the forests. He was of the opinion that the capacity of all stakeholders must be strengthened and coordination must improve to address the menace points out Satya Pattnaik

 

 

As per the satellite data, forest fire clusters are developing in certain pockets of Odisha and it is important to keep watch on them. He dwelt on the climatic factors that could be driving the fires points out  Barna Baibhav Panda

 

The Forest Department continues to look upon the forest as a production unit. It should change its stance and concentrate on conservation of forests with an eye towards enriching the livelihoods of the forest dwellers. He also called upon the State to strengthen the Forest Department and enhance coordinated efforts, opines Sri Gitanjay Sahoo

Forests are vital and all the inhabitants of the Earth should think of themselves as one community and look after the welfare of forests. Ms Nibedita Dash.

 

While the state of Odisha excelled in achieving zero casualties in the disaster management like of Cyclone , efforts of the State the Forest Department should strive to move towards the goal of zero fires also opines Dr Ambika Nanda

The forest department should engage and involve the youth in mitigating forest fires, besides sensitizing the   women on forest fire and prevention, opines Kailash Dash.

Community is moving away from viewing forests as an essential resource particularly as modern life is moving away from nature towards artificial goods like plastic and proper marketing of MFP could reverse this stance, says Kulamani Sahu

There is the  need for a long term plan to mitigate forest fires keeping in view the impacts of climate change. There is also a need to renew the interests of the community in the forests and ensure their rights over the resource. The community is the best managers of forests and the traditional ways of forest management must be renewed says Sri Pradeep Brahma.

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