Post News Network
Dhenkanal, August 10: Even as five years have passed since Kapilas reserve forest in this district was accorded sanctuary status, neither the Centre nor the state government has sanctioned any funds for its upkeep and development.
According to reports, Kapilas reserve forest spread over 12569.59 hectare and 125.5 square km of land was accorded sanctuary status in 2011. Reliable sources said the Centre and the state governments are yet to take a call on a proposal of Rs 15 crore ( for a period of 10 years) sent by forest department for the sanctuary’s development.
The apathetic attitude of both the governments has dealt a blow to the forest’s development. Without funds, forest officials are finding it difficult to curb noise pollution, construct ponds, erect wired fences, take up plantation drive, construct watch towers or carry out any awareness programme for forest conservation.
Noise pollution has proved a menace for wildlife as hundreds of vehicles regularly ply on the Dhenkanal-Kapilas rad and Deogaon-Tangi road disturbing the tranquility of the environment.
Similarly, Kanwariyas visiting the Kapilas Shiva shrine in the Hindu month of Shravan take rest alongside the roads adjoining the forest and pollute the jungle by dumping soiled polythenes. They also contribute to noise pollution by playing high decibel music.
Besides, lack of fencing has helped woodcutters and poachers to enter the forest with impunity. This has led to destruction of vegetation and killing animals like deer. Among the animals, deer are the most vulnerable lot as they often stray outside due to lack of fencing and end up getting crushed by speeding vehicles or killed by poachers.
In the absences of funds, the forest officials have managed to put up only two to three signboards warning people not to over-speed their vehicles while passing through the route after repeated complaints from locals. Moreover, lack of funds has also affected fire control mechanism in the forest which is a major concern for forest officials especially during the summer season.
When contacted, divisional forest officer (DFO) Pardipta Kumar Sahoo said the programmes aimed at development of the sanctuary will be implemented soon after the state government approves the proposal sent by the department and sanction funds for the purpose. The officer said he has asked his officials to intensify patrolling in the month of Shravan to check pollution caused by Kanwariyas.
