A massive fire recently broke out in the Similipal Biosphere Reserve located in Odisha. While the core area of the reserve remained unaffected, the surrounding biodiversity faced potential damage due to the blaze.
About Similipal Biosphere Reserve
Named after ‘Simul’ (the silk cotton) tree, Similipal became a formal tiger reserve in 1956 and was included in Project Tiger in 1973. The Government of India declared it a biosphere reserve in June 1994. Since 2009, it is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Similipal also forms a part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve, colloquially termed as Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve. This reserve constitutes three protected areas, namely the Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.
Geographical Location and Coverage
The Similipal Biosphere Reserve is nestled in the northern region of Odisha’s district Mayurbhanj, positioned at the eastern extremity of the Eastern Ghats. Covering an area of 4,374 square kilometers, this biosphere comprises 845 square kilometers of core forest (tiger reserve), 2,129 square kilometers buffer regions, and a transition space of 1,400 square kilometers.
Variety of Vegetation and Wildlife
The biosphere is richly diverse with 1,076 flowering species and 96 species of orchids. It accommodates various types of forests such as tropical semi-evergreen, tropical moist deciduous, dry deciduous hill, high level sal forests, and vast meadows.
Similipal serves as a natural habitat to a broad spectrum of wildlife, including tigers and elephants. It is also home to 304 species of birds, 20 species of amphibians, and 62 species of reptiles.
Tribal life in the Reserve
Two tribes, the Erenga Kharias and the Mankirdias, dwell within the reserve’s forests. They sustain their livelihood through traditional agricultural activities such as collection of seeds and timber.
Sensitivity towards Forest Fires
The Similipal Biosphere Reserve is susceptible to forest fires originating from both natural and anthropogenic causes. Natural factors include lightning and extreme temperatures, while man-made reasons may involve activities by poachers like setting small patches of forest ablaze to divert wild animals.
Strategies for Fire Mitigation
Various strategies have been devised for forest fire mitigation. This includes forecasting fire-prone days, involving community members in mitigating fire incidents, creating fire lines, removing dried biomass, and enforcing strict action against poachers. The creation of fire lines – strips devoid of vegetation – could assist in compartmentalizing the forest, thus preventing wildfires from spreading.
Other Major Protected Areas in Odisha
Odisha houses other significant protected regions in addition to the Similipal Biosphere Reserve. These include the Bhitarkanika National Park, known for its large gathering of endangered SaltWater Crocodiles, the Badrama and Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuaries characterized by Moist Sal Forests and Sal dominated forests respectively. The Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary is Asia’s largest and world’s second-largest lagoon. The Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary is home to mugger crocodiles due to the passing Salandi river. While the Gahirmatha Sanctuary is a mass nesting spot in Indian Ocean region and the only turtle sanctuary in Odisha, the Lakhari Valley Sanctuary boasts a large elephant population. The Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary is renowned for being the world’s first to breed White tiger and Melanistic tiger.