Naveen calls for restoration of critical wild animal corridors

The Hindu , Thursday, October 04, 2007
Correspondent : Staff Reporter
Rules out possibility of creating additional wildlife protected areas in State

Concern over gradual depletion of rich fauna

Biju awards for wildlife conservation presented

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday said the State Government could no more create additional protected areas in Orissa while calling for restoration of existing critical wild animal corridors. "High population density and stark dependence of the poor on the eco-system resources make it unrealistic in our State to expect that large additional areas can be set aside as protected areas," Mr. Patnaik said here inaugurating ‘Wildlife Week’ celebration here.

The Government had so far notified 20 sanctuaries, including a national park and marine sanctuary, that together comprised 4.25 per cent of State’s total geographical land area, he said.

Bio-resources

Underling the need for right balance between the subsistence needs of local and the concern for conservation of bio-resources, Mr. Patnaik said alternative livelihoods for local communities should be created for local people to reduce their dependency on forest resources in buffer zone.

"People residing in this area face endless hardships by loss of access to the forest and by wild animal depredation. Protected area plan should therefore embrace the broader landscape extending even beyond the buffer zone," the Chief Minister said.

He said critical wild animal corridors, however, needed to be identified and made secure for migration and for restoration of connectivity among habitats.

Former Chief Wildlife Warden S. K Patnaik, however, expressed concern over gradual depletion of rich fauna of the State and defragmentation of corridors. "We have reduced our tiger population to nearly half. Elephant deaths are occurring daily due to poaching, electrocution, road and rail accidents, poisoning and other reasons," he said.The wildlife expert said, "the habitats have been fragmented to small depleted patches, without linkage called corridors to give them safe passage, for food, cover and genetic exchange. "He said many species had vanished and equally large number was threatened. "Indian cheetah has got extinct. Wild buffalo no longer walks in Orissa forest. Swamp deer also deserted the western stretch of the State. Vulture, Brahminy kite, Malabar pied horn bill, ratel and gharial are fighting a losing battle." The Chief Minister gave away ‘Biju Patnaik Award for Wildlife Conservation’ for 2006-07 to members of Mahabir Pakshi Surakshya Samiti, Mangaljodi, who had rendered 10 years of dedicated service for protection of migratory birds on the occasion.

 
SOURCE : The Hindu, Thursday, 04 October 2007
 


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