By SANTOSH MOHANTY
Community based conservation efforts to protect biodiversity in Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Angul district is now a thing of the past. Wildlife officials are no longer needing the cooperation of villagers living in Tikarpada, Purunakote and Jagannathpur for conservation of flora and fauna in Satkosia wildlife sanctuary. Members of Satkosia Praja Suraksha Samiti have alleged that the wildlife officials are responsible for the death of Eco Development Committees (EDCs) which played key role for promotion of eco tourism in the Tiger Reserve. Commercialization of the natural habitats in Satkosia is the new catchword for the officials who undermine peoples' initiatives for conservation of ecology. They do not mind exploiting the natural habitat for money.
Social activists working in Satkosia region said community-driven endeavours to protect environment through EDCs have stopped. The Nature camps at Chhotkei and Tikarpada which were once thriving with the cooperation of villagers in Satkosia,are no loger attracting tourists due to poor management, the activists alleged. The EDCs in Tarava and Purunakote have now become defunct due to non-coperation by the wildlife staff who undermine the sincerity of villagers in conservation of biodiversity in Satkosia. The social activists alleged that eco-tourism has failed to take off as villagers in Satkosia are no longer treated as stakeholders by wildlife officials for maintaining biodiversity of the region.
The social activists further alleged that the villagers are never encouraged by Angul wildlife wing to be the part and parcel of conservation of nature and boost eco tourism in the sanctuary. Commercialization has creeped into the the minds of top brasses of wildlife department, the activists alleged. Money to the tune of crores are being spent to build road and other facilities all along river Mahanadi from Baliput in Cuttack district via Majhipada, Kadalikhol to Baghamunda under Angul wildlife division for safari trekking in the Tiger Reserve. Satkosia Praja Suraksha Samiti alleged Angul wildlife division is keen to oust villagers from Satkosia on the pretext of tiger conservation, when there is no tiger left in the so-called Tiger Reserve.
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