Debi Prasad Mishra

Bhubaneswar, May 26: The Orissa government today urged the Centre to impart paramilitary training to local youths who have been recruited for the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) for the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR).

The government has suggested that the youths should be trained at training centres meant for forces such as, the Border Security Force and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Orissa’s forest and environment minister Debi Prasad Mishra today raised the issue with his Union counterpart Jairam Ramesh in New Delhi. The department was earlier headed by chief minister Naveeen Patnaik.

The Similipal park has become poachers’ paradise. After the Maoists had entered the park area, it became difficult for the government to keep a tab on the poachers’ movement. The Maoists had destroyed guard towers of the reserved forest. The government has been fighting hard to keep the Maoists and poachers at a bay.

The number of tigers has dwindled in the area. As per the Wild Life Institute reports, the park has only 23 tigers. However, the government has disputed it. As per its claim, the Similipal forest has 61 tigers, of which 16 are males, 31 females and 14 cubs.

“Now, Orissa has 111 personnel in the tiger protection force,” said an official.

Orissa also apprised the Centre that it had submitted a management action plan for Similipal Biosphere Reserve under the Central Plan Scheme and urged the minister for release of funds. The Union minister has agreed to release Rs 10 crore for the programmes within July.

Mishra urged Ramesh to sanction 5,000 eco-clubs for Orissa. The Centre provides funds to local youths forming such clubs for environment protection. Ramesh has reportedly agreed to get the proposal processed. During the meeting, the Orissa government has asked Ramesh for early release of funds for wetlands development and establishment of the National Wetlands Development and the Eco System Research and Training Centre in Bhubaneswar.

The Orissa government has submitted its action plan for conservation of wetlands namely, Daha, Kanjia, Kuanria and Anuspa wetlands. Similarly, the proposal of mangrove conservation in Bhitarakanika has also been submitted. It urged the Centre to expedite the projects.

Orissa also expressed its concern on environment due to establishment of a number of coal washeries in its coal belt regions.

“The Centre may review the condition so as to minimise pollution in the coal belt region,” he said.

Moreover, the minister impressed upon Ramesh to allow removal of gregariously flowered dead and dry bamboo from the Satkosia Tiger Reserve in which the local community could be benefited.