FINAL REPORT

Project Name : “ CONSERVATION OF HABITAT OF SIMLIPAL 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 situated in the eastern state of Orissa in 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 . 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 are relatively undisturbed from human activities compared to other areas of the country.

The principal timber species occurring in the Tiger Reserve is sal ( )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 . In addition, two Divisional Forest Officers of 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 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.

A list of FPCs with respective membership strength is annexed as per Annexure – II. A list of timber smuggling cases reported or tackled by FPCs is annexed as per Annexure – III.

• A total of 124 public meetings were conducted in the 60 target villages where the tiger habitat protection issues were discussed. A total of 60 song and dance cultural programs was performed in the target area (included in the 124 public meetings ). A moving cultural group sang a special song written in the local tribal dialects of Kolha and Santhali where the glory of Simlipal , its tigers and the importance of the forest for the water table and food security of the villagers was described. Forest officials wherever available participated in these meetings .

• All the FPCs were issued with a meeting register where the minutes of the meetings were recorded. Our Animators who were also members of the FPCs ensured that the FPCs meet regularly. All FPCs resolved that if at all firewood is needed, the villagers could collect only dead and fallen trees or branches and not hack green trees. Though there was initial resistance to this suggestion, the villagers gradually accepted these decisions.

4 • Special public meetings were also organized. On 28.11.2003 and 29.11.2003 a science exhibition was held at Mituani village. About 10,000 visitors including children and tribal guardians visited this meet where we had set up a stall to show tiger videos Stickers and pamphlets were handed out here to the visitors and the importance of Simlipal as a tiger habitat was explained. Two bicycle rallies comprising of more than 100 people who were members of the FPCs was organised on 19.12.2003 and 22.12.2003.

2. Educate the women pluckers to ensure sustainable exploitation of sal leaves.

• It was found that women from 4,497 households in the target villages were engaged in sal leaf collection and plate making. A training meeting was held in each of the 60 target villages wherein the village women were educated about the slow growth of the sal tree and the need for sustainable collection.

• The tribal women pluckers of sal leaves were trained as to how to pluck sal leaves only from the side branches and allow the lead shoot to grow fully. During such training meetings, field demonstrations were held in every village to teach them sound collection practices.

• Since the collection of sal leaves is an important source of livelihood for the women collectors, such meetings were well attended and the women realized the importance of the sustainable collection of sal leaves .

3. Educate the women about collection of forest produce without lighting of fires

• The women of the target villages were informed about the extremely harmful effects of forest fire on the forest growth and how it affects the future survival of the forests.

• Brooms were used in field training sessions to sweep the leaf litter and teach them how to collect forest produce like mahua and sal seeds without lighting fires.

4. Control unrestricted cattle and goat grazing in the forest areas to allow regeneration

• The initial baseline survey of the 60 target villages for acquisition of baseline data had revealed that there are 15,424 goats owned by 3,331 families in the 60 target villages. During the public meetings the goat farmers were educated about the harmful effect of such grazing and how it prevents their regeneration.

• The FPCs passed resolutions in their meetings that prohibited villagers from grazing their goats or cattle in forest areas during the monsoon months. They were only allowed to graze them in meadows or village wastelands. Goats were confined to the village open areas and the herders were advised to pluck leaves and branches and feed them in stalls.

5 • Fodder plantation was taken up in each of the 60 target villages with advice from the Fodder Development Officer of the Veterinary Department of the Government of Orissa. Apart from seasonal crops, long term fodder plants like mulberry was chosen which would be a perennial source of fodder.

• Mulberry, rice bean, subabul, cowpea and velvet bean were chosen for goat fodder plantations in the backyards and small crop fields . Seeds and seedlings were given to the goat farmers for taking up fodder plantations. Agriculture inputs like insecticides and fertilizers were also provided. A list of fodder seed and seedlings distribution is annexed as per Annexure - IV .

5. Prevention and control of forest fires in summer season

• The FPC members of each village were taught forest fire fighting and dousing techniques in demonstrations held during the public meetings. They have decided to fight forest fires in a co-ordinated manner alongwith neighbouring FPCs.

• Appropriate number of sticks and branches of brush wood have been kept in each target village by the FPCs to fight fires.

• An information network comprising of the 60 FPCs in the target villages has been set up for informing the local forest officials of fire.

6. Carry out an audio visual campaign for achieving above objectives for forest protection

• 1,000 paper Posters, 1,000 PVC stickers, 2000 brochures and 40 cloth banners were distributed. Stickers were also used on vehicles, motorcycles, shop shelves, doors,etc. shops,etc. Tiger banners with conservation messages were used during meetings . Posters were stuck on walls of government offices, schools, shops,etc. 62 wall paintings have been made in 60 target villages .

• 500 T-shirts with conservation messages and tiger pictures were procured .We have distributed 436 T-shirts to the FPC members and our animators. Some T- shirts were given to be worn by the traveling minstrels and some were handed also out to local forest officials and guards.

• 60 performances of songs with conservation messages were performed by traveling minstrels during public meetings. 2 bicycle rallies were held.

• 10 dramas by local tribal artists on forest protection and the importance of Simlipal forests were staged. These dramas were well attended by an attentive audience of more than 4,000 to 5,000 people who watched the performances throughout the night for more than 8-9 hours. Before the dramas started, we also showed tiger video films which were eagerly watched by the children and women. A list of villages where such dramas were staged is annexed as Annexure- V .

6 IV. PROJECT MONITORING :

• Records and Reports:

Various records were maintained during the entire duration of the project which documented the various project activities and the progress made in achieving the objectives as envisaged in the proposal. These records were maintained at different levels. Daily work diary was maintained by all the 30 animators. Weekly progress reports were obtained from the animators which were duly countersigned by the Program Supervisors and sent to the Head Office. A list of records and reports and persons maintaining them is annexed as per Annexure-VI.

• Visits by Project Officer and monitoring :

The project was closely monitored by the different project personnel. Performances of individual animators were supervised and evaluated by the Program Supervisors who paid a visit at least once a week to the target villages. The daily work diaries were checked every week by the Program Supervisor. We had to replace two animators of Kendujuani field for poor performance.

The Program Supervisors interacted closely with the FPCs in order to organize them as effective local level forest protection units. Field review meetings were held every month at the 2 field camps whenever the Project Officer visited the work area. During such meetings progress made towards achievement of various objectives was reviewed. Field difficulties and how to overcome them were discussed. The Project Officer has paid a total of 12 visits to the field .

V. EVALUATION OF PROJECT RESULTS AND ASSESSMENT OF SUCCESS:

• Evaluation of project results :

For a long term evaluation of the project results, it is vital to compare the ground situation regarding conservation of tiger habitat and that existing after the project comes to an end. This project has been proposed for a medium time frame of 2-3 years. Therefore no long term evaluation is possible after the first year activity.

Prior to commencement of our activities, baseline data on the villages, households dependent on sal leaves and NTFP collection, frequency and duration of fires, nearest forest blocks accessed , goat population, was collected. This data would be compared with similar data and also number of households having fodder plantations when the long term evaluation shall be carried out after the intervention period of 2-3 years . A summary of Pre-Intervention Baseline Village Survey data is annexed as per Annexure- VII.

7 An annual evaluation by doing a field survey to collect data of short term indicators like : number of timber felling or smuggling cases reported or tackled by FPCs - number of forest fires noticed and doused– quantification of sal leaves being collected in each village - number of households developing fodder plantations has been conducted. A summary of Post- Intervention Evaluation Village Survey data is annexed as per Annexure VIII.

The summary of findings from Kendujuani Field indicate that out of the 41 forest fires noticed 35 could be controlled by the FPCs . 761 households took up and maintained mulberry plantation for goat fodder. Similarly, 244 FPC meetings were held during the work period. However, only 34 % of women collectors followed sustainable collection methods for NTFP products .

The summary of findings from Champajhar Field indicate that out of the 30 forest fires noticed 27 could be effectively controlled by the FPCs. 1,332 households took up and maintained mulberry plantation for goat fodder. Similarly, 325 FPC meetings were held during the work period. Remarkable success was achieved in education of women collectors of NTFP products since 74 % followed sustainable collection methods.

In addition, a field survey of 93 random respondents in target villages to assess effectiveness of awareness campaign has also been completed. Post Intervention Sample Survey data is annexed as per Annexure IX .

Every respondent had attended the public meetings conducted in their villages. Everyone agreed that forests are important, fires are bad for forests, farming will suffer if forests disappear , fires would be doused by them and FPCs were doing well. A divided opinion was obtained in the case of utility of fires for NTFP collection. While 65 % agreed that such fires were bad, 35 % said they were good. A majority of 92 % agreed that goats destroy forests. Similarly a majority of 89% respondents agreed that excess sal leaf collection is bad for forest growth. This analysis reveals that the project has some impact, however, more years of effort is envisaged before complete success can be achieved.

• Effect of field programs :

The project has made a clear and discernible impact in the target area of 60 villages covering approximately 50 kms of the Park boundary. The animators and FPCs have detected 33 cases of timber smuggling and informed the local forest officials.However, only 13 seizures could be effected by the forest guards with the assistance of the FPC members based on these information. More seizures could not be made due to the acute shortage of guards and firearms. The Field Director of Simlipal Tiger Reserve has been requested to fill up the vacant posts of guards so timber smuggling could be completed curbed. Please refer Annexure – IIII for details of detection of timber smuggling cases and seizures made.

8 Another interesting outcome was the efforts of 6 school children of Purunapani village under the Champajhar camp who were motivated by a local meeting held by our Program Supervisor in this village. On 19.6.2003, they managed to stop a gang of 20 timber smugglers who were passing through their village after felling trees from Simlipal Tiger Reserve. They made them take an oath that they would never again indulge in timber smuggling. On 9.12.2003 a hunter was caught at Dangadiha by the local FPC alongwith deer meat and gun.

• Co ordination with forest officials :

The Program Supervisors and Animators were regularly in touch with local Range Officers and forest guards. The Divisional Forest Officer who looks after the Division was extremely supportive and took special steps to tackle timber smuggling and poaching in this area. The Project Officer had three field meetings with the Divisional Forest Officer to co ordinate the project activity . He also visited Baripada twice which is the HQs of Simlipal Tiger Reserve to discuss the project’s progress with the Field Director. The shortage of guards was a key issue which the department promised to address the next year.

VI. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AND THEIR MITIGATION

1. Heavy monsoon rains affected work: During the year 2003, the monsoons have been exceptionally heavy and due to continuous incessant rainfall, we faced difficulty to execute the program activities. Many mulberry cuttings which were planted as goat fodder rotted in the field due to excess rain and had to be replaced. Program supervisors faced difficult in traveling to the interior areas during the months of July and August when torrential rains took place in the area. Paper posters were also destroyed by the heavy rains.

2. Shortage of literate animators: Since the literacy level was low in the work area, we faced some difficulty in identifying literate youth who could read and write and maintain the required records.

3. Shortage of cement walls for paintings : There was a shortage of cement walls for putting up the wall paintings. After much efforts, 62 walls were located where the wall paintings have been executed.

Cuttack. Biswajit Mohanty, Project Officer Dated : 14th May,2004

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