News from Mayurbhanj

Despite intense forest fires in Similipal, the core and buffer areas remain unscathed, safeguarding the tigers. PCCF Sushant Nanda credits advanced AI technology and coordinated efforts by ODRAF and local squads for the effective management of fire incidents.

Upset over the drinking water crisis, women of Jatagaon in Oria panchayat under Telkoi block trooped straight to the block office carrying pots and buckets to lodge their protest.

PCCF (Wildlife) Susanta Nanda wrote in his X handle, ”Now, the villagers are up against the criminals trying to dent their  Pride- The Similipal Tiger Reserve.”

Nine poachers were arrested and 30 kilograms of uncooked meat of Sambar deer were seized from their possession. 

As per the tradition practised in the village, in case of a marriage or death, the concerned family has to organise a community feast for the villagers. 

There are several other places in the core and buffer areas like Budhabalanga, Bagdega, Balarampur, Benipur, Sahuda, Bandirabasa, Phulabadi, Jalagada and Lembhugada, where opium poppy is being grown extensively, sources said.   

In a remarkable display of courage and commitment, 29-year-old Odia girl Ananya Dalabehera, who works as a surgeon commander with the Indian Army, saved the lives of three crew members onboard Bulk Carrier MV True Confidence, which was hit by a missile in the Gulf of Aden on March 6. 

Sai Kiran, deputy director of Similipal Sanctuary (North) said, ”Keeping the possible forest fires in view, we have started preparations to check such incidents from November and December, 2023. A district action plan has been drawn up with the help of officials of the line departments to determine their roles in fire fighting in forests.”

Soon after arrival, the President reached the Kichakeswari temple at Khiching. Along the way, she waved at thousands of people including schoolchildren, who waited for the President amid tight security arrangements. 

In a piece of good news for animal lovers, the tiger population has increased in Odisha. At present, there are 30 tigers and eight cubs (under less than one year) in Odisha, as per the first All Odisha Tiger Estimation (AOTE) report 2023-24 conducted by the Odisha Forest Department. 

President Droupadi Murmu will visit Khiching in Mayurbhanj district on February 29. Elaborate security arrangements will be put in place for her two-day visit to the district. On Sunday, Indian Air Force officials came in a special aircraft and landed at the helipad at Pandurshil village. 

The residents of Salachua Panchayat under the Kaptipada block of Mayurbhanj district are cock-a-hoop as power supply has been provided to their village after two years of darkness. 

With frequent reports of false claims by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)-led government in its promotional Nabin Odisha booklets coming to the fore, many have alleged that the government is increasingly falling back on false promotion to tom-tom its achievements. 

Jayant Das, one of the tourists from the Madhuban area of Baripada said, "It was around 7 pm on Sunday when we (family members) were returning from Chala to Pithabata gate and saw the leopard moving ahead of us. As our van light fell, it started moving. We were afraid and stuck there for several minutes. Our kids video-graphed the scene. “

A similar accident was reported from Shankarpur under Ghagarabeda police limits of Mayurbhanj district. Three people who were going on separate bikes died while two others were critically injured. The injured were admitted to Champua hospital in Keonjhar,