Similipal is one of the prime Tiger Reserves in the country and reports of vanishing tigers and poaching of elephants have stirred warning bell among the wildlife administrators. Taking things more seriously, the NTCA has appointed a seven-member State Level Coordination Committee for addressing the problems of wildlife administration in Similipal.

The committee will have Bijaya Kumar Sharma, Twin City Police Commissioner, former PCCF Wildlife Bijaya Kumar Patnaik, Belinda Wright, Executive Director Wildlife Protection Society of India, Biswajit Mohanty, secretary of Wildlife Society of Odisha, Sanjukta Basa, Honorary Wildlife Warden and Regional Deputy Director of Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, as its members. Priya Nath Padhi, Principal Chief Wildlife Warden, will be the Member-Convener of the committee.

In 2005, Sharma, who headed the CBI team to investigate the issue of vanishing tigers in Sariska, is known for his expertise in wildlife crime control. His report was an eye-opener for the Union Government and it changed the approach of the Government towards management of tiger reserves in the country, said a wildlife expert. Belinda Wright is an authority on tiger conservation and wildlife management.

Similipal is highlighted in the media for wrong reasons as the poaching of a dozen of elephants in mid-April this year hit the headlines. This episode came to light when a leading wildlife activist, Bhanu Acharya, and Wildlife Warden of Mayurbhanj Sanjukta Basa got to know of the elephant killings. Both of them drew the attention of Union Minister Forests & Environment Jairam Ramesh, who ultimately asked the NTCA to go in for an independent inquiry.

The NTCA appointed a two-member committee to inquire into the episode and both Belinda Wright and Biswajit Mohanty recently presented their report on elephant poaching in Similipal. After receiving the report, the NTCA has formed the State Level Committee to go deep into the matter and monitor the implementation of recommendations made by the crack team and the independent team of Wright and Mohanty.

The mandate of the committee is to have close liaison with the State Government for timely redressal of administrative problems towards strengthening protection of the Tiger Reserve. Advising the PCCF Wildlife and Field Director of the STR on protection and managerial issues is another mandate.

Updating the NTCA regarding the status of Similipal is one of the prime mandates for the Watchdog, said sources. Finally, the committee would submit its report within six months to the NTCA, said the sources.