Satkosia Sanctuary gets two boats, one jetty to step up patrolling

Bantala: For effective patrolling of the area, Satkosia Sanctuary in Angul district got two ten-seat patrolling boats and a jetty worth over Rs 20,00,000 Tuesday. One boat will be used at Kataranga Ghat and the other near Baladamara main gate, official sources informed.

Worthy to note, following the alleged death of a local villager after being attacked in 2018 September 12 by tigress Sundari from Madhya Pradesh who was accommodated here, a large mob comprising co-villagers had then set seven boats of Angul forest department ablaze.

Also read: Over 500 crocodile hatchlings born in Satkosia sanctuary in July

This had caused severe problems in patrolling and surveillance of Satkosia Sanctuary. Later, acting on chief conservator of forest’s (CCF’s) proposal, four boats were brought to the sanctuary.

As one boat was provided to Jilinda forest range and two boats were kept for movement of tourists, an additional one is being used by the forest department personnel for patrolling purposes at Satkosia Sanctuary.

Further eight boats and two jetties were proposed by Satkosia divisional forest officer (DFO) to departmental higher-ups. Out of the proposed numbers of boats, two boats and a jetty have reached.

On the other hand, visitors and tourists have been disallowed entry into crocodile reproduction and conservation centre at Tikarpada Wildlife Sanctuary, keeping in mind the fast spreading COVID-19 infection in Angul district, Satkosia DFO Ramaswamy P expressed.

PNN