Introduction
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Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) was amongst the first nine tiger reserves declared in India, in 1973. SMTR is one of the largest tiger reserves in India (2750 km2, with a core of 1195 km2) and the largest tiger reserve in the state, situated in Mayurbhanj District of northern Odisha. It is part of an elephant reserve and the Biosphere Reserve Network and is home to unique pseudo-melanistic tigers. Situated in the Deccan Peninsular Bio-geographic Zone, it harbours a unique blend of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats and eastern Himalayan biodiversity. The floristic composition indicates a connecting link between south Indian and north-eastern sub- Himalayan species, with extensive sal forests. The landscape supports 1352 species of plant, 101 species of orchid, 62 species of reptile, 361 species of bird and 55 species of mammal. There are many species of rare and threatened animals such as the tiger, elephant, gaur, mahseer, hornbills, chowsingha, mouse deer, giant squirrel, flying squirrel, striped necked mongoose, mugger and civets.
The village rehabilitation has led to expansive meadows on the vacated agricultural lands and attracts large herds of ungulates such as the gaur, sambar and chital as evident in the Devasthali and Upper Barakamuda (UBK) meadows. Good meadow development work is continuing under expert advice. The deployment of the STPF at Bhanjabasa, Gurguria and Jenabil for protection against Akhand Shikar and for night patrolling and the 250 well equipped anti-poaching camps spread across the core as well as the buffer are proving beneficial. The use of MSTRIPES is extensive.
The eco-tourism activities at Gurguria, Kumari, Jamuani and Baheripani are well organised, and the engagement of local communities is generating good revenue for them and has become a good source of livelihood to the forest-dependent communities. Some private entrepreneurs have also set up accommodation units in the vicinity of the tiger reserve. Two orchidariums have been developed for showcasing and preserving the orchid diversity.
The overall infrastructure available with the tiger reserve management is impressive. The association with North Odisha University through the setting up of a Centre for Similipal Studies is bound to result in good field-based research and documentation and provide a source of capacity building for the local students. Some of the young frontline staff are taking keen interest in documenting the biodiversity of the tiger reserve and in monitoring the health of the wild animals through new initiatives like Body Scoring.
The funding support from the state and CAMPA is encouraging, and utilization of these funds for strengthening the infrastructure and for rehabilitation is noteworthy. The core and buffer are under the unified control of the Field Director, who also controls the adjoining territorial divisions. The Hadgarh and Kuldiha sanctuaries need to be brought under the Field Director. This will help in monitoring future dispersal of tigers and elephants along the corridors and adjoining forest areas.
There are many vacant posts among the frontline staff, and this has forced the management to employ casual labourers in a big way, which could be detrimental in the long run. This issue needs to be addressed on priority. The Local Advisory Committee needs to be constituted urgently. This would help in the convergence of many developmental schemes for the villages in the buffer as 64 villages in the buffer and one village Bakua in the core are posing a threat in terms of illicit firewood collection, illegal trade, poaching, forest fires and NTFP collection. The spread of invasive alien species is evident in the areas around most villages. A staff deployment plan needs to be put in place for effective training.
Periodic assessment of the biological, ecological, economical, and socio-culture-spiritual values of the STR is required. Such studies in the long run would help in mobilizing resources for the management of the reserve apart from ensuring effective participation of the local communities and other stakeholders.
Bakua village in the core area should rehabilitated urgently. The practice of identifying and rehabilitating willing villages from the buffer needs to be continued and should in fact be given further impetus. Expeditious steps should be taken to notify the ESZ, followed by the preparation of the Zonal Master Plan.
Efforts should be made to establish a well-equipped wildlife rehabilitation cum disease surveillance centre supervised by trained wildlife veterinarians along with an adequate number of posts of para-veterinary staff for the proper functioning of the centre.
Timely availability of funds for the tiger reserve needs to be ensured for better management and for the smooth running of all activities of the reserve.
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