Protected Area Network in Orissa - Vasundhara

The Protected Area [PA] was used first time in India in the National Wildlife ActionPlan (NWAP) document launched in 1983 (Kushwah and Kumar, 1994) which wasactually a prospectus of action to be taken in the field of wildlife conservation inIndia. This NWAP has provided a vital network for conservation and management ofIndia’s wildlife resources and a yardstick by which progress can be measured(Panwar,1991).ORISSA CONTEXTThe State Wildlife Organization came into being in 1974 as a sequel to adoption of theWildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 on 14 th August 1974; and promulgation of the Wildlife(Orissa) Rules, 1974. The Conservator of Forests, Development Circle was designatedas the Ex-Officio Chief Wildlife Warden, Orissa. In the year 1976, a distinct, WildlifeOrganisation was constituted with the Chief wildlife Warden being posted in the rankof Conservator of ForestNandankanan Zoological Park, one of the premier zoos in the country wasestablished in 1960 over an area of 3.62 sq kms in natural settings. The zoohouses more than 1000 animals of about 151 species.‘Similipal’ was chosen as one of the nine prime locations for tiger conservation under‘Project Tiger’ launched in 1973 by the Govt. of India. The notification of Similipalproposed National Park was issued in two phases in 1980 and in 1986.‘Bhitarkanika’ was constituted as the first sanctuary in the state under the provisionsof Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and was notified in April 1975. The BhitarkanikaNational Park was finally notified in the year 1998.Today the Protected Area network of Orissa constitutes 18 Sanctuaries, 1National Park and 1 Proposed National Park covering an area of 6611.12 sq km8