FINAL REPORT Project Name : “ CONSERVATION OF HABITAT OF SIMLIPAL TIGER RESERVE THROUGH COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION” ( Project Number : 2002-301-025) Project Officer : Biswajit Mohanty, Secretary, Wildlife Society of Orissa Funding Agency : Save the Tiger Fund Reporting period : April,2003 to March ,2004 (12 months) I. INTRODUCTION : The Simlipal National Park situated in the eastern state of Orissa in India in the District of Mayurbhanj has an estimated wild tiger population of around 99 as per 2004 census figures. This tiger habitat contains the single largest tiger concentration in the state and hence any effort for tiger conservation in Orissa would be inadequate without launching efforts for conservation of the Simlipal tiger population. The total area of the tiger reserve is around 3,000 sq.kms which includes a core area of 800 sq.kms. It was included in the first group of tiger bearing areas declared as Tiger Reserves in 1974 and obtains central government assistance under Project Tiger. The Simlipal Tiger Reserve has some unique advantages as a Tiger Reserve since no road or railway line bisects the Park and as a result the resident tigers are relatively undisturbed from human activities compared to other areas of the country. The principal timber species occurring in the Tiger Reserve is sal ( shorea robusta )and its associates like Arjun, Bahada,Bija, Kurum, Rosewood,etc. Simlipal does not report poaching of wild tigers. However, of late due to rising demand for timber from the cities and towns and growth of local population, the tiger habitat is threatened by loss of vegetation Apart from tigers, Simlipal is another important habitat for elephants of the entire eastern region of India since as many as 470 odd elephants inhabit this Park which is nearly 80 % of the population of the entire elephant population of eastern India zone of Simlipal –Dalma- Jhargram areas . The Tiger Reserve is surrounded by hundreds of tribal villages , dwellers of which are dependent upon the forest cover for their livelihoods . With a rise in population of such tribal villages, there has been growth in biotic pressure on the tiger habitat. Many unsustainable activities like goat and cattle grazing, collection of green felled firewood, timber felling and smuggling, over exploitation of sal leaves for leaf plate collections, man made fires unless checked may lead to the collapse of this beautiful tiger habitat. Apart from these activities which directly affect the tiger habitat, akhand shikar or ritualistic tribal hunting for herbivores also disturb the tiger and its habitat and takes a toll of the prey base on which they are dependent. The field management of the Simlipal National Park and Tiger Reserve is vested with the Field Director who is based at Baripada. In addition, two Divisional Forest Officers of Karanjia and Baripada look after the protection activities in the buffer zone area of the Tiger Reserve. Due to inaccessible areas and lack of roads it is difficult to control forest fires, illicit felling for firewood and timber and illegal grazing . Morever, vacancies in the forest guards level makes the task more daunting. The peripheral areas of the Tiger Reserve are under threat due to deforestation and it is crucial that such areas are protected for the future survival of the wild tiger population. The following reasons have been found responsible for forest loss : a) Illegal felling of timber trees and collection of firewood: b) Failure of sal tree regeneration due to excessive and improper harvesting of sal leaves c) Failure of forest regeneration due to cattle grazing and goat farming. d) Setting of fires in summer season for collection of forest produce. In the past the forest department has undertaken a few local meetings in the local villages for conservation of the tiger habitat. However, these efforts were sporadic and were not carried out in a continuous planned manner as a result of which total success could not be achieved. The Wildlife Society of Orissa which is a premier state level wildlife conservation NGO working since the last 10 years in the state of Orissa took up this project to protect the tiger habitat in the peripheral areas of Simlipal. The local villagers were organized into forest protection committees (FPCs) which were urged to protect their adjacent forests from loss. Besides, control of goat grazing and control of sal leaf collection was attempted. This was the first ever project in Orissa to attempt to control these two human activities which affect forest growth and survival. The Project laid out five objectives as detailed hereinafter and suggested six methods to achieve them. The Project took up conservation activities in 60 tribal villages located on the peripheral border of the Park located in the south- western parts . The Park’s core area is located close to this area and hence it is vital to prevent loss of tiger habitat in these peripheral areas. II. BRIEF DETAILS OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES : • Survey and Identification of target villages : An extensive ground survey was conducted in Thakurmunda and Kendujuani forest ranges of Karanjia Forest Division to identify the target villages which border the National Park and are located within a couple of kilometres from the Park’s boundary. The list of villages spread over 1,200 sq.kms. was finalized after discussions with the local Range Officers. The survey took nearly a month to be completed. Besides, other relevant village and forest dependency data was collected which was baseline data to be compared with the post intervention surveys. A list of target villages is attached as per Annexure – I . 2 During the survey it was observed that no other mass awareness programs regarding awareness or education campaigns for conservation of the peripheral tiger habitat areas were being conducted in the area chosen • Project Personnel ,camps and training : The Project was run by Mr. Biswajit Mohanty, Secretary of the Wildlife Society of Orissa as the Project Officer. Mr. B.N. Nayak, Ex-Assistant Field Director of Simlipal National Park who was the Project Consultant designed the survey forms and data formats and trained the animators. In consultation with the Consultant, data forms were designed for each village to acquire baseline data with respect to fire, goat grazing, timber theft,etc. The Consultant also trained the animators on the sustainable collection of sal leaves , collection of forest produce, fighting of forest fires. He also trained the animators in collection of sal leaves and NTFP items and how to douse fires. In addition, regular contact was being maintained with the Mr. S.N. Mohapatra, Divisional Forest Officer,Karanjia Forest Division and Dr. D.Swain, Field Director, Simlipal National Park who provided valuable co operation during the project period. 30 tribal boys who belonged to the target villages were identified and appointed as animators to carry out the project activities. Each Animator on an average covered 2 villages . The 60 villages were organized into two fields…… Champajhar and Kendujuani fields. Two camps were set up at Champajhar and Kendujuani villages for supervision and control of the project activities. The 30 part time animators have devoted a sum total of 30,155 working hours for the project. A list of the animators with the villages allotted for their work is attached as per Annexure - I Mr. Arun Kumar Mahanta, was appointed as the Program Supervisor for the Kendujuani Field. Mr. Nursingha Dash was appointed as the Program Supervisor for the Champajhar Field. Both the Program Supervisors who are graduates with considerable experience in conservation projects did commendable work during the project implementation period. A tiger T-shirt and a work diary were issued to all project staff . A two days training camp was held for the 30 selected animators at Champajhar and Kendujuani camps by a training team consisting of the Project Officer Mr. Biswajit Mohanty and Mr. B.N. Nayak, Consultant. They were explained in detailed about the present threat to the National Park due to loss of tiger habitat and how they should convince the people to give up harmful activites as well as take steps for active protection of forests. The role of the tiger in Simlipal’s ecology was explained to them. They were given training in arranging meetings of people and also addressing them and delivery of speeches. The trainees were asked to demonstrate by way of mock session as to how they would be addressing individuals , small group meetings and also how to conduct meetings and hold training sessions for tribal women collectors of NTFP and sal leaves . 3 III. ACHIEVEMENT OF PROJECT OBJECTIVES : The society had formulated the following specific objectives : 1. Protection of tiger habitat from illegal felling of timber trees and firewood . 2. Educate the women pluckers to ensure sustainable exploitation of sal leaves 3. Educate the women about collection of forest produce without lighting of fires. 4. Control unrestricted cattle and goat grazing in forest areas to allow regeneration of forests. 5. Prevention and control of forest fires in summer season . 6. Carry out an audio visual campaign for achieving above objectives for forest protection • Implementation of project objectives : 1 Protection of tiger habitat from illegal felling of timber trees and firewood Local village level forest protection committees ( FPCs ) were formed in all 30 villages with a combined strength of 1,369 members to combat the problem of overgrazing, over exploitation of sal leaves, illicit felling of timber and firewood and control of forest fire. In a few villages, existing committees earlier formed by the forest department were re-organized. The FPC members assisted the local forest guards to prevent illegal felling by smugglers. The FPC of Sudarshanpur (A) & (B) who did commendable work were adjudged as the best Committees and the members were duly honoured.