TV
Though Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district is famous as a breeding place for the tigers in the country, the number of big cats has gone down considerably in the past few years.
The tiger reserve, which is well-known for black tigers and is the only place in the world that houses the source population of the melanistic tigers, has lost 75 tigers in the last 12 years.
As per the 2006 census, Similipal had 101 tigers. However, the population of the big cats went down to 28 in 2019. The latest 2023 tiger census report is yet to be announced in which the population of tigers was counted based on camera trapping.
The Environmentalists and animal lovers in the State have expressed their concern over the dwindling number of big cats in the tiger reserve.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has announced Similipal as the best place for tiger breeding in the country. NTCA is spending Rs 12-13 crore every year for the protection of the big cats in the tiger reserve.
Moreover, both the State and the Union governments have spent more than Rs 100 crore in the last 12 years to take various steps for the increase in the population of tigers. However, despite all these steps, the number of big cats has dwindled considerably in the reserve. The environmentalists and animal lovers in the State have expressed their concern over this.
According to former honourary wildlife conservator Bhanumitra Acharya, the government should not allow Similipal Tiger Reserve as a tourist spot in a bid to increase the number of big cats.
“The Forest Department and the government should seriously think whether they want to keep Similipal Tiger Reserve as a tourism sector or a tiger project as both of these are contradictory,” said Acharya.
“Protection is essential for the increase in number of tigers. Hence, help from local people is a key factor and they should be sensitized about it. Patrolling should be intensified in the region and stern actions should be taken against the poachers,” he added.
Meanwhile, Field Director of the reserve Prakash Chand Gogineni said that all kinds of steps have been taken for the protection of the tigers.
“We have tightened the intelligence network to stop any kind of disturbances in Similipal. As per the direction of the government, a Joint Task Force (JTF) will be formed soon. We will use it strategically to stop poaching,” said Gogineni.
Meanwhile, no steps have been taken for the protection of tigers at Sunabeda tiger project in Nuapada district.
As per the 2016 tiger census, there were four Royal Bengal tigers and 20 leopards here. However, the villagers residing near the vicinity of the project are always in a state of panic as the wild animals enter the villages and often attack them and their domestic animals.
The local residents have demanded to announce the project as a Tiger Reserve project for the protection of the big cats in the region.
