Villagers In 3 Panchayats Asked Not To Enter Atei Reserve Forest In Odisha Amid Tiger Scare

Keonjhar: Amid reports killing of buffalos by a tiger in the area, forest officials have restricted the entry of people and domestic animals into the Atei reserve forest in Odisha’s Keonjhar district.

The forest range officer, Ghatagaon has asked the people of three panchayats – Badajamupasi, Uparadiha and Kolitmati of Anandapur Sub Division to refrain from venturing into the reserve forest. The villagers have also been asked not to allow their domestic animals to move into the area, sources said.

It has been made clear that no compensation would be given if they or their animals suffer any damage inside the reserve forest area as per Section 45 DD (iii) of the Wild Life (Protection) (Orissa) Rules 1974.

Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Ghanashyam Mahanta reportedly said that the sarpanches of the three panchayats have been sensitised and they will create awareness among villagers.

People living in villages adjacent to the forest earn their livelihood by collecting and selling minor forest produces like leaves. As there has been a ban on their going into the forest, it would hamper their financial condition.

Therefore, they have been given training to prepare vermicompost pits. From one pit, the villagers would be able to earn up to Rs 80,000 a year.