The move, jointly initiated by members of the Forest Conservation Committee and Athagarh Forest Division, solely aims to increase the count of trees in forests using scientific methods. This will also augment availability of food for elephants who keep veering towards nearby villages in search of food.
A packed mixture of fertile soil, wet sand and cow-dung is first made and shaped into a ball and then a bamboo seed is inserted into the ball to ensure proper germination of the seed. This is done in such a manner that the seed will not ooze out of the ball or get destroyed during strong wind and heavy rainfall. Once the balls with seeds are ready, they can be thrown to faraway and inaccessible places where the seed can take root.
The officials have evidence of the seeds developing into plants, thereby establishing that the method is a big accomplishment towards increasing the forest cover.
Athagarh DFO Sasmita Lenka stated that the new seed-ball technology has already been put into practice in Athagarh and Khuntuni Ranges and it will be implemented in 38 other reserved forests in the next phases.
On the other hand, the environmentalists also have asserted that this speed-ball technology will help in preserving varied species of fauna and flora in the forests. The other major aspect would be to curb the ever-rising elephant-human conflict in the particular forest division, they said.
The forest experts said that shortage of fodder in the forests is one of the major reasons the elephants venture into the human habitation. Therefore, with forestation the elephants would not be deprived of food and also it will improve the condition of the environment.
As per reports, a 15-year-old tusker lost its life on Tuesday after reportedly getting electrocuted by a live wire laid to trap wild boars in Hindol under Dhenkanal district.
Similarly, another pachyderm in Jadu-Loisingha area of Sambalpur district died after coming in contact of live wire laid on the farm land, informed a forest official. A probe has reportedly been ordered in this connection.
The third death, however, was a reported accident that witnessed the tragic death of a three-month-old elephant calf after it got stuck in mud in Ratanei jungle under Aska forest range in Ganjam.
For long term conservation of elephants in the state, providing appropriate habitat is the bare minimum requirement. Defining such areas properly with focused habitat development holds the key to long-term survival of elephant in the state.
The most important factor which has made situation very alarming is destruction, degradation and fragmentation of habitat. Elephant is a long-ranging animal. It needs large forested areas to fulfil its dietary requirements and, in the process, cover large areas every day.
Though, Odisha’s forest cover has increased by 274 square km in two years (2017-19), as per India State of Forest report (ISF) 2019, a rise in man animal conflict has raised many eyebrows as well.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)