Bhubaneswar: The fourth Governing Body meeting of Similipal Tiger Conservation Foundation was held at Kharawela Bhawan, Bhubaneswar. Minister for Forests, Environment and Climate Change Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, presided over the meeting and said that the main objectives and vision of the Similipal Tiger Conservation Foundation are to facilitate ecological, economic, social, and cultural development in the tiger reserve, to promote eco-tourism with the involvement of local stake-holder communities and provide support to safeguard the natural environment in the tiger reserve, to facilitate the creation and maintenance of such assets as may be necessary for fulfilling the above objectives, to solicit technical, financial, social, legal, and other support required for the activities of the foundation s for achieving the above said activities, to augment and mobilize financial resources including re-cycling of entry and such other fees received in a tiger reserve, to foster stake-holder development and eco-tourism and to support research, environmental education, and training in above related fields. The Foundation has been making continuous efforts towards achieving these objectives. The annual implementation plan for the year 2025-26 has been prepared and approved for Rs. 10 crore 48 lakh. Utilizing this, Forest Minister Shri Singkhuntia expressed his proposals to provide financial assistance for higher education to the meritorious rural students of Similipal region and to impart skills in driving, electrical and mechanical work, sewing etc. to the rural youth of the region.
Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department cum Vice President of Similipal Tiger Conservation Foundation Satyabrat Sahu, said that this money will be utilised in Skill Development & Income generating activities (IGA) for forest dependent communities, for nature Education, Conservation, Awareness generation and Publicity, Research and Monitoring, Forest Staff and squad welfare & training, Management of Eco-Tourism Safari in Similipal TR as well as Forest Community welfare for Wildlife Protection. He also suggested to involve Mayurbhanj District Collector, skill development program to be strengthened with an investment of Rs 4.2 crore, imparting skills like driving, electrical and mechanical work, sewing etc. to all rural youth living in villages near Similipal Sanctuary, construction of infrastructure for eco-tourism, training for eco-guides, funds to be provided for the operation of two ambulances by the foundation for the remote villages of Similipal. and strive for sanction of funds from various government departments, Additional Chief Secretary Shri Sahu called for proper ecological development of Similipal area.
Mayurbhanj zilla Parishad Chairperson, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Prem Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary of Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department Deben Kumar Pradhan, Chief Conservator of Forests Manoj V. Nair, Field Director and Regional Conservator of Forests, Similipal Tiger Reserve, Deputy Director, Similipal (North) Wildlife Division, Deputy Director, Similipal (South) Wildlife Division, Dr. Indramani Nath, Former Head of the Department of Surgery, OUAT Veterinary College, Dr. Hemant Kumar Sahu, Professor of Zoology, Maharaja Sriramachandra Bhanjdeo University, Baripada and other members of the governing body were present and gave thoughtful advice.
