Fear Of Human-Animal Conflict, Poaching As Animals Fleeing Simlipal Forest Fire Left Vulnerable

The Odisha government has once again stated that no life was lost in the forest blaze in Simlipal, which had been brought under control after raging for more than a week.

Simlipal is a national park and tiger reserve situated in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district. The 2,750 sq km area harbours unique melanistic tigers, rare and endemic orchids, 1,352 species of plants, 55 species of mammals, 361 species of birds, 62 species of reptiles and 21 species of amphibians.

San_Joy/ Twitter

"The fire is under control, no loss or injury to wildlife, any staff, villagers or public property has been reported," the Director General of National Tiger Conservation Authority, S.P. Yadav, told IANS.

All out efforts are being made to douse the forest fire in #Noto RF,#Simlipal RF, Bangriposi Range, Baripada Range of #SimlipalTigerReserve. Forest fire points are being attended on hourly basis. Appeal everyone to trust us in our endeavour. pic.twitter.com/xrEpYQYL0z

¡ª Santosh Joshi IFS (@seesantu) March 6, 2021

A massive fire ripped through vast tracts of Simlipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district and other wildlife habitats nearby, raising concern among wildlife and environmental activists over its possible impact.

#ForestFireTaskForceOdisha #SimlipalForestFire #ForestFireWarriors
Forest fire contained in Simlipal.
The latest MODIS/ SNPP VIIRS satellite base fire alerts by NRSC, Hyderabad...@CMO_Odisha @BKArukha @ForestDeptt @moefcc @pccfodisha @PCCFWL_Odisha pic.twitter.com/EZ9yKQKklh

¡ª Sandeep Tripathi, IFS (@sandeepifs) March 10, 2021

Though the large animals and birds may have fled to safety from the fire, there is a fear that many small animals and reptiles could have been killed in the inferno.

Another concern, environmentalists had was how the animals fleeing the fire could become vulnerable outside the forest.

In the past, animals tigers, elephants, leopards and bears fleeing the fire had entered nearby villages, resulting in human-animal conflicts.

Simlipal National park in Odisha has been burning for more than 10 days yet not media coverage ?
We are the same people who used to pray for Australia Bush Fire and Amazon Rain Forest Fire, But forget to stand with those who are our Own.#SimlipalNationalPark #SimlipalFires pic.twitter.com/AkZNCGwKk2

¡ª krishnpal gurjar (@krishnpalgurja1) March 9, 2021

This year, only one such incident has been reported so far.

According to a report by India Today, a spotted (barking) deer was seen in the Brundeiposi village on Monday night after it fled the fire.

Environmentalists also fear the animals like elephants and tigers could be killed by poachers outside the forest.

Meanwhile, forest officials in the district have apprehended a few traditional hunters on charge of setting fire to the national park for poaching animals.

Forest staff, ODRAF & Fire Services personal at Simlipal to tackle the forest fire together. pic.twitter.com/VxaAuVp8PJ

¡ª Odisha Forest and Environment Department (@ForestDeptt) March 9, 2021

For many, the wildfire this year is a matter of concern as the forest has dried up faster than normal, making it more vulnerable to accidental and deliberate fires.

The forest fire season in Simlipal Tiger Reserve usually starts from February and continues till May.

Awareness campaign is being conducted by SHGs and field staff in Barehipani GP for forest fire prevention and education.@CMO_Odisha @ForestDeptt @pccfodisha @DM_Mayurbhanj @spmayurbhanj @PCCFWL_Odisha pic.twitter.com/pbjS0gWMSw

¡ª DD SIMLIPAL NORTH (@Similipal_North) March 10, 2021

Simlipal comes under the Deccan Peninsular Biographic zone, Chhotangpur Province, in the Mahanadian region. The forest is a predominantly moist-mixed deciduous forest with tropical semi-evergreen patches in areas with suitable microclimatic conditions and sporadic patches of dry, deciduous forest and grassland.