CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
Similipal’s recent elevation to national park status by the Odisha government represents the culmination of more than four decades of conservation advocacy. Covering 845.70 km², it now holds the distinction of being Odisha’s largest national park and India’s 107th. This change not only formalizes protection for a landscape first proposed for such recognition in 1980 but also builds on its earlier designation as a wildlife sanctuary in 1975.
A Legacy of Protection
Originally declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1975, Similipal was earmarked for national park status five years later. However, it took until 2025 for the official notification to be issued a milestone in Odisha’s environmental history that underscores persistent efforts by conservationists, local communities, and government authorities alike.
Richness Of Flora And Fauna
The park is a biodiversity hotspot, sheltering 55 mammal species, 361 bird species, 62 reptile species, and 21 amphibian species. It overlaps with the Similipal Tiger Reserve totaling 2,750 km² whose core critical tiger habitat (1,194.75 km²) was delineated in 2007. This mosaic of forests, plateaus, and grasslands offers crucial habitat for tigers, Asian elephants, gaurs, sloth bears, and countless smaller creatures.
Overcoming Human Wildlife Coexistence Challenges
Designating the area as a national park required addressing settlements within its bounds. Six villages lay inside the proposed core, and while most have since been relocated, Bakua village remains inhabited. As a result, Bakua has been excluded from the park boundary to balance human livelihoods with wildlife protection.
Strengthening Conservation Measures
National park status grants the forest department stronger legal tools to prevent poaching, illegal logging, and other threats. It also facilitates enhanced funding and technical support for anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and scientific monitoring—especially within the tiger reserve’s sensitive zones.
Benefits For Tribal Communities
Many of the local tribal groups have long called this region home, and authorities aim to weave their traditional knowledge into park management. Through eco-development schemes, skill training, and community-led tourism initiatives, the designation as a national park is intended to safeguard both ecological integrity and the socioeconomic well-being of Indigenous populations.
Looking Ahead
With its new legal status, Similipal stands poised to serve as a flagship for sustainable conservation in Odisha. The government plans to integrate this initiative with broader environmental goals such as landscape connectivity, climate resilience, and community participation to ensure that this majestic wilderness thrives for generations to come.
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