Baripada: Residents of nearly 44 foothill villages of Similipal came together in a display of community spirit to repair a morrum road in the buffer region of the Similipal Tiger Reserve. The road connects Jashipur to Nahana via Kollha and Bareipani.

Villagers of Astakumar, Gudugudia and Bareipani were facing a tough time travelling on the pothole-ridden 20km stretch between Kollha and Badasimuliapal. The villagers claimed that they had raised resources locally to repair the road. Despite repeated pleas, the authorities including the forest department did not pay heed to their demand.

Sarpanch of Astakumar, Mahanty Birua, said: "The stretch was in a poor state after rain caused extensive damage to the road. It was very difficult and risky to commute on the road. Even people were deprived of emergency medical service as ambulance could not enter the villages due to poor road condition."

He said: "Around 600 men and women from various age groups from the affected villages came forward voluntarily for the noble cause. After toiling for three days, the stretch of 20km was repaired with our own resources," he said.

"The morrum-based road worsens every monsoon. This year the road had turned precarious. The forest department did not listen to our demand. So, we decided to volunteer labour and repair the road. The road connects the area with two prominent tourist spots - Chahala and Bareipani - known for their waterfalls. The forest department should have repaired the road stretch," said sarpanch of Bareipani , Jujhar Bansing.

However, deputy director, Similipal Tiger Reserve, J.D. Pati said: "In the buffer region of the sanctuary no concrete road can be laid. Every year the roads get damaged because of the rainfall and are repaired after monsoon. This year too it would be repaired before October," he said.