Solar chullahs for Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary

The Times of India , Monday, September 15, 2014
Correspondent : Riyan Ramanath V
BHUBANESWAR: The state government will provide solar chullahs to 500 households inside Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary.

This was done to reduce load on firewood, which the villagers collect from the sanctuary.

There are around 5,000 households in the reserve, but initially 10% will be provided with the solar cooking device. The panchayati raj and forest departments will jointly conduct survey to identify the families to be given the chullah.

A private party will donate the chullahs to the forest department. Although the market cost of a chullah is Rs 11,000, the villagers will have to pay a nominal Rs 700 for it. Those, who can't afford Rs 700, will be asked to pay a meagre Rs 200. "The solar chullah generates no smoke and it will keep the sanctuary environment clean. Since all the households depend on firewood, the smoke at times becomes detrimental to the flora and fauna," said divisional forest officer of the sanctuary S M T Rahman. The maintenance of the chullahs will be done free of cost, he added.

A forest officer said helping people meet their basic necessities will create a positive notion about the department. "Although according to Supreme Court, bona fide forest dwellers can collect firewood from the forest, we are providing them modern means, which will reduce their labour," said the officer. He added that the move would keep people off poaching also.

There are around 76 villages located inside the sanctuary, spread over 963 sq km. At times, it becomes a tough task for the wildlife wing to ensure community participation of the villagers for protection of forest.

Recently, a startling revelation came to fore. Experienced poachers are imparting training to several youths in the villages. According to officials, the number of poachers has gone up to 252 this year. Last year it was 217.

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/City/Bhubaneswar/Solar-chullahs-for-Satkosia-Wildlife-Sanctuary/articleshow/42446785.cms
 


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