Security has been beefed up in and around the Similipal Tiger Reserve and national park in Orissa’s tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj district in view of the forthcoming ‘Akhanda Sikar’, a tribal ritual which will be observed in the district from April 14.
During the month-long annual ritual which begins every year on the day of ‘Pana Sankranti’ — a major festival in the state — tribals go mass hunting animals.
Sources in the forest department said all entry points into the national park covering an area of 2,750 square kilometres had already been sealed since last Friday. Five sections of armed police have also been deployed in and around the sanctuary.Besides, for the first time this year, assistance of ex-servicemen has been sought to check poaching during the event. Nearly 50 armed ex-servicemen will help the security personnel guard the tiger reserve.
Thirty-three anti-poaching camps have also been set up in and around the national park to create awareness among the tribals about the impacts of animal killing.
The animal rights activists in the state were always against the government, particularly against the Mayurbhanj district administration, for not taking adequate steps to protect the animals in the national park during the annual tribal event.
