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Wild Orissa has been continuously engaged in spreading awareness on wildlife conservation since 1996 in the state of Odisha. ‘WILDLIFE AFFAIRS’ which is the flagship program on this area is organized in various parts of Odisha since the last 2 (two) decades. This event is being held regularly every year since 1996 during the month of October. During past years we have conducted this event at Tangi (Khurda), Kalupada (Khurda), Mangalajodi (Khurda), Satpada (Puri), Sambalpur (Sambalpur), Jashipur (Mayurbhanj), Bhetnoi (Ganjam), Balukhand (Puri), Rayagada (Rayagada), Puri (Puri), Brahmagiri (Puri), Udala (Mayurbhanj), Rourkela (Sundargarh), etc. in the state of Odisha. These events have been organized in close association with the wildlife department and state forest department of Government of Odisha. These events principally target the youth including children, schools and colleges, foot soldiers from forest department, etc.
The state of Odisha is currently facing numerous challenges which will adversely affect this ecologically rich and biodiverse state. The State of Odisha has a geographical area of 1, 55,707 sq. km. The recorded forest area is 58,136 sq.km as per the State of Forest Report (SFR-2013) of Forest Survey of India. The State is quite rich in wildlife. The important wildlife found in state are Elephants, Tigers, Leopards, Hyena, Fishing Cat, Rusty Spotted Cat, Jungle Cat, Sambar, Spotted deer, Chousingha, Wild boar, Giant Squirrel, Pea fowl, Indian Skimmer, Hill Myna, Marsh Crocodile, Gharial, Estuarine Crocodile, King Cobra, Olive Ridley Sea turtle, Monitor lizard, etc.
A total of 20 species of amphibians, 110 species of reptiles including three crocodilian species, 479 species of birds and 86 species of mammals have so far been recorded in the State which include 54 species of threatened animals (17 species of reptiles, 15 species of birds and 22 species mammals) as per the definition of IUCN Red Data Book. The state is blessed with an extremely rich and unique assemblage of wildlife, inhabiting their respective habitats spread over three different bio-geographic zones.
To address many conservation issues as well as engage multiple stakeholders viz. local community, students, administration, traditional inhabitants, elected representatives, civil society, wildlife organisations, etc. Wildlife Affairs has been conducted each year. This year viz. 2016 this program will focus on 3 (three) distinct ecosystems of the state viz. Rivers, Hills & Plateaus & Coasts.
The first part of this program titled 'We Cherish Our Rivers' is focussing on River Mahanadi, River Kathajodi, River Kuakhai and River Daya, in the districts of Khurda, Cuttack and Puri. Programs for sensitizing the communities settled along the riverine ecosystems will be targeted through the medium of schools, youth and village elders. The biodiversity of these rivers will be discussed, which will include the mammalian fauna, avi-fauna, reptilian fauna, flora, etc. Focus will be given on fast depleting wildlife corridors, threatened status of red-listed animals and birds, loss of natural habitats, etc.
The recent news on impounding of River Mahanadi in the state of Chattisgarh is being seen with serious alarm by Odisha as apart from others, it will severely damage the rich ecosystem existing in these rivers.
The need of the hour is to ensure policies which ensures the long term sustainability of our rivers and their biodiversity. Findings from researches on biodiversity by Wild Orissa and other organisations will be shared with the local inhabitants during Wildlife Affairs 2016.
Mr. Nanda Kishore Bhujabal, Ms. Suchitra Sahoo, Mr. Diptiranjan Patra and Mr. Akash Ranjan Rath from Wild Orissa shall coordinate various programs during Wildlife Affairs 2016.
As part of this a sensitization program on endangered and threatened bird species of Odisha is being organized at Kainmundi village in Cuttack District in the state of Odisha on the 20th October 2016 from 1000 hrs onwards. Ms. Suchitra Sahoo [+919937009193] shall be the Coordinator. Local community, students, youth, etc. will be targeted.