Forest of Similipal.

Similipal Biosphere Reserve

Biosphere Reserve is an international designation assigned by UNESCO for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large areas of terrestrial or coastal/ marine eco-systems or combination thereof. These are intended to promote conservation of biodiversity and also to promote alternate livelihood for man and preserve cultural values.

The Biosphere Reserves are different from wildlife sanctuary and National Parks in the following aspects:

(i) Its emphasis is on overall biodiversity and landscape rather than some specific flagship species.
(ii) It lays importance on research activities.
(iii) It takes into account the overall developmental activities and resolves conflict between development and conservation.
(iv) It ensures increased and broad based participation of the local people by special attention given on different components of Biosphere Reserves like landscape, habitats, species and land races.

The Biosphere Reserves are not substitute or alternative to, but re-enforcement of the existing protected areas. The Ministry of Environment and Forests launched the Biosphere Reserve programme in 1986 with these aspects in mind.

The specific objectives of this programme are:

(i) to conserve the diversity and integrity of plants and animals within the natural eco-systems,
(ii) to safeguard the genetic diversity of species on which their continuing evolution depends,
(iii) to provide areas for multi-faceted research and monitoring, (iv) to provide facilities for research and training, and
(v) to ensure sustainable use of natural resources through most appropriate technology for improvement of economy and living standard of local people.

In order to undertake activities relating to biodiversity conservation and development of sustainable management aspects, BRs are demarcated into three zones, namely core, buffer and transition zones. The core zone is absolutely undisturbed and secures legal protection and management and research activities. In this zone, management and research activities that do not affect natural processes and wildlife are allowed. The core zone is to be kept free from all human pressures external to the system. The buffer zone adjoins the core zone. In this zone, only those activities which protect the core zone are allowed. The activities allowed include limited recreation, tourism, fishing, grazing which are permitted to reduce its effect on core zone. Research and educational activities are to be encouraged. The transition zone is the outer most part of BR. This is a zone of collaboration where conservation knowledge and management skills are applied primarily to foster alternate livelihood and reduce dependence on consumptive use of the forest.The Similipal Biosphere Reserve has been notified by Government of India on the 22nd June, 1994. It comprises of the entire Similipal sanctuary (core and buffer together), the adjoining Nato and Satkoshia Reserve Forests forming additional buffer and a belt of approximately 10 KM width all around the entire buffer designated as the 'transition zone'. The total area of this BR is 5569 Sq. KMs. The Similipal hill ranges, a densely forested area constitute the core and a part of the buffer zones of the BR, and there are also 65 villages within these two zones including four in the core zone.

Similipal is in the eastern end of the eastern ghats and classified in the Chhotanagpur biotic province of the Mahanadian bio-geographical region. The transition zone of the Reserve has 1200 villages whose total population is about 4.5 lakhs. The tribals constitute about 73% of this population. The forests and the biodiversity resources to a great extent sustain the livelihood of these people. The forest and wildlife in the sanctuary, and the human population and cattle living in close proximity impact on each other. The Management Action Plan for the BR seeks to put emphasis on suitable programmes of eco-development in the transition zone and also to a limited extent in buffer zone, to promote various alternative livelihood options, and thereby to reduce people's pressure on the forests.

The significant features of Similipal include:

- Relatively higher annual precipitation of over 200 cm spread over about 135 days.
- Altitude ranging from 40mts to 1168mts (Khairiburu and Meghasini hills)
- Numerous water courses and two permanent water tails namely Barehipani(400 mts) and Joranda (150 mts)
- Occurrence of frost valleys in central and south Similipal. A degree of resemblance of floral and faunal composition with those of the Western Ghats and north-east India, while being a representative eco-system within the Mahanadian bio-geographic region.
- Marked variation of temperature range between the central and southern regions.

Similipal is the abode of 94 species of orchids and about 3000 species of other plants. These include 2 species of orchids which are endemic, 8 plants which are endangered, 8 species whose status is vulnerable and 34 other rare species of plant. Similipal is also the abode of the black and melanistic tiger which is rare. The identified species of fauna include 12 species of amphibians, 29 species of reptiles, 264 species of birds and 42 species of mammals,all of which collectively highlight the Biodiversity richness of Similipal. fSB Endemism in Similipal is not fully explored, particularly in sectors like tree ferns, orchids, medicinal MM Hum plants and insect fauna. The checklist of flora and fauna has been updated at intervals with new additions. Paradoxurus jorandensis, an endemic civet was located by the Zoological Survey of India in Similipal during 1980s and subsequently recorded from all zones of Similipal. Phillautus similipalensis, a frog located near Chahala in 1975 has been identified from other locations from Similipal. Eria meghasaniensis and Tyna hookeriena are two endemic orchids of Similipal. The former is found near Megahsini in south Similipal and the latter is seen near Pakaladiha nalla of Jenabil. Another rare orchid, Bulbophyllum panigrahianum, is also seen in Similipal. Oryza officinalis, a specied of paddy known from Kerala was first collected in Orissa from Similipal near Khejuri hills in the late 1980s. The species is rare and sporadic, not used for a