Jajpur: About 10 to 12 years ago, when timber mafia denuded 250 hectares of Hudisahi jungle in Pataranga pachayat under Korei block in Jajpur district on the border of Keonjhar, the forest came to the brink of losing its existence while tribal communities depending on it for livelihood were left in the lurch.
The government had undertaken plantation drives under various schemes to bring the forest back to life, but the efforts did not yield much result.
The forest which was once live with cacophony of birds began to lose its voice due to continued habitat loss. Tribals seldom got the chances of hearing the chirping of birds.
Eventually, a group of tribals affiliated to Guhirigadi Vana Surakhya Samiti ventured out for protection of the denuded forest.
With the help of residents of Bhalukahudi and Gourgudia and forest officials, members of the Samiti invested their efforts in plantation drives in the forest, which paid off.
The forest was restored to life with greenery while about 10 lakh plants including teak wood species have been planted in the forest.
The jungle is now home to varied wildlife such as sparrows, pigeons, parrots, rabbits, mongoose, bears, monkeys, deer and lizards, but the main problem confronting the fauna is acute shortage of water, it was learnt.
Local residents like Pangila Munda, Sanatan Munda, Baral Munda, Sukadev Munda, Kanda Munda and Banabasi Munda, who played a key role in giving new lease of life to the forest, claimed that in summer days, shortage of water has been a major problem for wildlife in the forest. “Rabbits, deer, monkeys, pigeons and sparrows were found dropping dead without availing water,” they rued.
They stated that if a pond is dug out in the forest, all wildlife and inhabitants would get benefit from it.
Jajpur Road forest ranger Debendra Kumar Patnaik said there is a proposal for a pond in the forest. “There is need for more plantations in Hudisahi forest. Earlier, valuable teak wood was being cut away, but the members of Guhirigadi Vana Surakhya Samiti are protecting the forest with help of the department,” the ranger observed.
He said there is a delay in availability of funds under MGNREGS when it comes to afforestation or pond excavation. “As a result, the work can’t be done rightly. There is a plan for more plantations in the forest with funds from other schemes. There is a proposal for pond excavation,” the ranger said. PNN