Centre embarks upon Similipal survey

After recent reports of rampant tree felling and poaching activities going on inside Similipal Tiger Reserves in Orrisa, the centre has sent a team of wildlife officials to the reserve to get a first hand account of the ground situation. Our recent blog http://planettiger.blogspot.com/2009/07/disaster-in-waiting-similipal-exposed.html had also pointed out to media reports from the reserve citing gross damage being caused to the wildlife inside the park with state forest officials on the run on account of threats from maoists and mafia alike. With the state government refusing to act in time there is a real threat of the tiger reserve being caused irreversible damage before corrective stteps are taken. A central team is now there to access the damange first hand and suggest immediate steps to be taken to stem teh rot. The important issue here will be the will of state forest dept as protection of the tiger reserve is their responsibility. The minister MOEF should personally intervene in teh matter and speak with teh chief minster to ensure no further damage is caused to the reserve.

Wildlife team checks Similipal

http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=9&theme=&usrsess=1&id=263380