Post News Network
Keonjhar, Sept 17: Close on the heels of evacuation of tribals from the crore areas of Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district, the forest department has initiated steps to shift tribals from the core area of Hadagada elephant sanctuary in this district.
The move has raised hopes for Hadagada turning into a full-fledged wildlife sanctuary.
In 1987, a forest area in Keonjhar district abutting the Similipal National Park was declared a sanctuary to provide protection to elephants and other wild animals. Hadagada, a biodiversity hub, is home to a variety of flora and fauna – Royal Bengal Tigers, deer, rabbits, hyenas, reptiles, birds and herbs.
Besides, there are 16 tribal villages with a population of nearly 8,000 inside the sanctuary. However, human habitations inside the sanctuary have allegedly been posing threat to wildlife. Tree felling, poaching, need for firewood and expanding human settlements have been on the rise. Often, wild animals disturbed by human activities, stray out of the sanctuary and create mayhem in the peripheral villages.
The government has always been in a fix whenever it has thought of taking up development of tribals residing in the sanctuary. The inhabitants are also deprived of basic facilities, over which the government has to face flak from various quarters.
To protect the wild animals, the government has to evacuate the tribal settlers out of the sanctuary and rehabilitate them elsewhere.
Under the rehabilitation and resettlement policy of the state government, each displaced family will receive `10 lakh and 10 decimal of land for houses.
Despite all these facilities, tribal settlers are not keen to come out of the sanctuary and live elsewhere.
Besides, four mines are in operation on the fringes of the sanctuary. Human settlements and mining activities violate the norms of the sanctuary.
Anandapur divisional forest officer (Wildlife) SK Behera said the entire area of Hadagada was considered a core area and human settlements have been problems for wildlife.
“Efforts are on to convince the tribals for their rehabilitation outside the sanctuary,” he added.
Environmentalist Subash Singh observed that human settlements have been the main hurdle for free movement of animals inside the sanctuary. Rehabilitation of tribals is beneficial for both, he added.
