under attack: Elephants in Similipal national park

Bhubaneswar, July 17: Insufficient security arrangements have made some prominent wildlife sanctuaries in the state vulnerable to poaching and Left-wing violence. The situation, according to sources, has also taken a toll on their appeal as tourist destinations.

Similipal national park, which happens to be the state’s first tiger reserve, has been the worst victim of Maoist violence, which has made it easy for poachers to operate in the area. This wildlife habitat, spread over 2,750sqkm, suffered a series of Maoist attacks in 2009 which destroyed tourist rest houses and other facilities within the reserve.

The sanctuary was closed to tourists for over a year following the attacks, which made even the forest officials feel insecure. Though Similipal has lush forests, streams and a wide variety of wildlife, many nature lovers now have second thoughts about planning a trip to the park in Mayurbhanj district.

The reserve forests of Similipal have also become notorious for poaching with more than 10 elephants being killed in the area in the past two years. In one case, the bones of some of the elephants killed by poachers were found buried in the forests.

Similipal is perhaps the only wildlife habitat of the state that witnesses an organised assault on its wildlife by the local tribal populace during April and May. Called Akhand Shikar or mass hunt, it is said to be part of a tribal ritual that gives them the liberty to hunt. Though the authorities have succeeded in containing the slaughter of wild animals during this period to a great extent following stepped up vigil and an intensive awareness campaign, the tradition goes on.

Unfortunately for Similipal, security in and around the sanctuary is beefed up only during Akhand Shikar. For the better part of the year, however, it remains vulnerable to poachers who, more often than not, go unpunished.

Security also remains a major concern in the Sunabeda wildlife sanctuary in Nuapada district bordering Chhattisgarh. Maoist footprints in the area have been increasing since 2011 when the rebels gunned down 10 Chhattisgarh policemen including an additional superintendent of police within the sanctuary. The police party was ambushed while returning from a combing operation.

Intelligence inputs suggest that the radicals have been trying to cut a corridor through the sanctuary connecting Chhattisgarh. If they succeed, it will become easier for them to operate in western Odisha districts such as Nuapada, Kalahandi and Balangir apart from the bordering areas of Chhattisgarh. With rebels intensifying their activities, not only tourists even forest officials are wary of venturing into the sanctuary.