Context:
Recently the Forest Administration and SHGs (Self Help Groups) have started an awareness Campaign to manage fires in Similipal Biosphere Reserve this year.
Relevance:
GS III- Environment and Ecology
Dimensions of the article:
- About Similipal Biosphere Reserve
- Other Major Protected Areas in Odisha
About Similipal Biosphere Reserve
- The Similipal Biosphere Reserve was formally designated a tiger reserve in 1956, and later on in 1994- it was declared as a biosphere reserve by the Government.
- It has been part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserve since 2009.
- It is situated in the northern part of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. Geographically, it lies in the eastern end of the eastern ghat.
- Vegetation of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve includes tropical semi-evergreen forests, tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous hill forests, high level sal forests and sprawling meadows.
- Similipal is home to a wide range of wild animals including tigers and elephants, besides more than 300 species of birds, more than 100 species of flowering plants.
- It is part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve popularly known as Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which includes 3 protected areas i.e., Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadagarh Wildlife sanctuary and Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary.
- Two tribes, the Erenga Kharias and the Mankirdias, inhabit the reserve’s forests and practise traditional agricultural activities (the collection of seeds and timber).
- Natural causes such as lighting or even soaring temperatures can sometimes result in forest fires here.
- Instances of poaching and hunting wherein the poachers set a small patch of forest on fire to divert the wild animals, can lead to forest fires.
Other Major Protected Areas in Odisha
- Bhitarkanika National Park
- Badrama WLS
- Chilika (Nalaban island) WLS
- Hadgarh WLS
- Baisipalli WLS
- Kotagarh WLS
- Nandankanan WLS
- Lakhari Valley WLS
- Gahirmatha (Marine) WLS
-Source: Indian Express
