Bhubaneswar: The state government’s expert panel on tiger conservation has recommended designating the entire 353 sq km area of Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary as the core zone of the proposed Debrigarh Tiger Reserve (TR).
The three-member expert committee, headed by former NTCA member-secretary Anup Nayak, was constituted by the Forest Department to delineate core and buffer zones as part of the plan to upgrade Debrigarh into a tiger reserve.
In its final report, the panel appreciated the Hirakud Wildlife Division’s efforts in creating inviolate space for wildlife. It noted that around seven per cent of the sanctuary area has been converted into meadows, following the relocation of six villages from inside the protected zone between 2018 and 2022.
Debrigarh Sanctuary Plays Key Role in Tiger Movement
The committee observed that while Debrigarh may not be large enough to sustain a full-fledged tiger population on its own, its strategic location makes it a crucial corridor for dispersing tigers from central India into Odisha.
“India has many small tiger reserves like Orang and Bor that serve as stepping stones for migrating tigers from nearby source areas. Declaring Debrigarh as a TR will strengthen ecological connectivity with Gomarda Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh, keeping alive the hope of tiger movement into tiger-deficient Odisha forests including Satkosia,” the report stated.
To maintain the inviolate character of the sanctuary, the panel also recommended gradually shifting tourism activities outside the core zone to ensure compatibility with breeding requirements of tigers and other species.
Core and Buffer Zones Identified for Debrigarh Tiger Reserve
The report proposes that all 353 sq km of Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary be designated as the core zone, while the buffer zone is pegged at 450.7 sq km. The committee confirmed that no individual or community rights exist within the sanctuary area.
Next Steps for Government Action
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Prem Kumar Jha confirmed receipt of the expert panel’s report.
“The report has been submitted and will now be forwarded to the state government for necessary action,” he said.
Once approved, the Debrigarh Tiger Reserve will become another key conservation hub in Odisha, complementing the state’s existing efforts to strengthen tiger habitats and wildlife corridors.
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