Protected Area Network in Orissa - Vasundhara

Tiger Reserves in OrissaSimilipal Tiger ReserveSimilipal Tiger Reserve, in Mayurbhanj district holds about 50% of tiger population inthe state. Less than thirty tigers were surviving here of the year 1975. Sustainedprotection measures and management initiatives have resurrected the dwindlingpopulation of tigers to around 95 in the 1990s and therefore the population hasremained stable around 100. Yet, most of the tigers from north Similipal are moving tosouth Similipal that remains a better habitat, and the leopards, more adaptable thanthe tiger, are appearing in most of the habitats vacated by tiger. These observationssuggest that Similipal habitat may be reaching the maximum of its carrying capacityin tiger. The future seems depend on adjoining forests of Hadgarh and Kuldiha thatare better known as elephant habitats.Tiger is only an indicator species but the project in Similipal has provided incidentalconservation to the entire biota contained in these forests. The giant squirrel (Ratufaindica) of the upper tree canopy, the mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) in therivers of Similipal, and the 94-species of orchid flora are only a few that 'indicate' thepositive impact of Project Tiger on the health of the ecosystem, and the prevailingmicroclimate of Similipal.Major threats to Similipalcentre round four lakhpeople living in theperiphery and tenthousand people livinginside it. Most of them'use' Similipal to make aliving, and the populationcontinues to rise at a rateof 20% for each decennialperiod. Similipal presents an accurate reflection of the declining status of a habitat inthe face of growth of human population.112