By SANTOSH MOHANTY
The Project Tiger in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary in Angul district has run into rough weather. The project will displace people living in different villages in the core areas of the wildlife sanctuary. Reports said the displacement issue has divided the villagers into two groups, one supporting the project and the other opposing the move.
The Wildlife division of Satkosia has decided to take measures for conservation of Royal Bengal Tigers (RBTs) in the sanctuary from 2025. This will be the second attempt by Angul wildlife division for conservation of RBTs. The first attempt by the wildlife wing was taken in 2018, but it was a failure as the relocated tigress and tiger could not get acclimatized to Satkosia environs.While the people in favour of the tiger project have urged Angul district administration to provide them compensation for their displacement immedieately or else they will resort to agitation in front of Pampasar Forest Check Gate on December 10, the Satkosia Praja Suraksha Samiti has given ultimatum to the district administration for staging a road blockade (rasta rook) at the same place on Decemeber 15 to give vent to their anger that the forest department has unilaterally taken the decision for conservation of royal bengl tigers in Satkosia region without taking them into confidence.
The Praja Suraksha Samiti members said they have become apprehensive about their safety as more than 10 RBTs will roam in their localities after Project Tiger becomes a reality.They said according to media reports the forest department will bring three RBTs to the Satkosia towards the middle of 2025.
Meanwhile, people of Tikarpara and Purunakote villages, who are supporting the tiger conservation in the region, have submitted a memorandum to Angul District Collector to provide them due compensation for their displacement at the earliest as they wish to leave Satkosia region for better settlements elsewhere. The villagers argue that they are bereft of basic facilities in Satkosia region since long and they do not want to stay for a while in the forest location.
The Satkosia Praja Suraksha Samiti, has however, taken a different line to the proposed displacement from the region saying the local forest wing and the Satkosia wildlife division authorities have virtually forced them to vacate their villages as soon as possible by taking whatever compensation is due for them. They have argued that they donot oppose the conservation of tigers in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary, but they must be provided with due compensation. The government must follow the guidelines for Rehabilitation and Resettlement, the members of the outfit said and added that it is because they are leaving their home and hearth for good. The government and the forest department must provide them a package that will give them a decent life elsewhere.The Satkosia Praja Suraksha Samiti members urged the government to ensure that grampanchayat level Gram Sabhas must be held with due participation of displaced villagers and their grievances must be looked into before finalization of Project Tiger.
In 2018, the forest department had taken the initiative to start conservation of RBTs in Satkosia Wildlife Sanctuary with Sundari and Mahaveer, one female and the other male, for breeding. But, after a few months, the female RBT Sundari created havoc in Satkosia region by attacking cows, goats and even human beings. Such was the situation that villagers in Satkosia region remained confined to their houses for days for fear of being attacked by Sundari. The forest officials were forced to put Sundari into an enclosure following opposition from villagers. Sundari was kept in the enclosure for a few months before being again relocated to Bandhavgarh sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh from where it was brought.
The male RBT Mahaveer also could not stay in Satkosia sanctuary and met untimely death which is still shrouded in mystery. The wildlilfe officials did not disclose about the reason of the death of Mahaveer.
Nature lovers, grass root organizations working for conservation of wildlife sepecies in Satkosia Sanctuary, said Odisha government and the wildlife wing must consider the demands of villagers who are the inhabitants of the region for years. It is their right to get due compensation, they said and added that the resettlement and rehabilitation guidelines should be followed strictly.
