Forest rest house inside Kuldiha Sanctuary. Telegraph picture

Balasore, Aug. 8: An organisation fighting for the livelihood of forest dwellers and tribals of Nilgiri, Oupada blocks and other adjacent tribal patches has threatened to gherao the collector’s office here on Thursday to protest against the notification relating to demarcation of Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary.

“The notification is erroneous. The process for upgrade of Kuldiha reserve forest to sanctuary was completed by the state government in January 1984 following an accord with the Centre. Further the district administration should have taken follow up action within two months. But it issued notification all on a sudden after 26 years,” said former Nilgiri MLA Pradipta Panda.

“As per the notification, one-third area of the Nilgiri sub-division will come under the sanctuary area. The King’s palace, circuit house, Panchalingeswar tourist spot and several other government establishments will be under the prohibited areas of the sanctuary,” he said.

“Entry to the sanctuary is prohibited even for those dependent on forest produce. The livelihood of traditional forest dwellers will therefore be severely affected. Inhabitants of as many as 50 villages who have been paying forest cess will be hit after this notification. Hence, we demand only 57 sqkm which was earmarked as core area should be demarcated as sanctuary area,” said Panda.

“On Thursday, while there will be a protest rally in front of the collector’s office and a dharna will be staged in front of Assembly on August 17. The agitation will continue till revocation of the notification,” said leaders of Vitamati O Jibana Jibika Surakshya Manch.

Balasore divisional forest officer Kedar Swain said: “Of course, a time lapse of 26 years has occurred since the notification of state government. But this doesn’t prohibit the district administration from issuing notification.”

“The notification, in fact, invites objection and claims from the dwellers. The district administration will look into these objections or claims and take necessary steps. The notification doesn’t necessarily imply displacement. This will otherwise help them. Unless we complete the procedure of notification under the Forest Act the sanctuary in the long run will be deprived of grant and aid from the Centre and other agencies,” he said.