Wildfires have engulfed a vast chunk of the Similipal Biosphere in Odisha.
- According to the local media reports, it has been more than 10 days since the fire broke out in the biosphere reserves located in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
- The fire that broke out in isolated places of Similipal in Mayurbhanj district in the first week of February has spread to eight forest ranges and is raging.
About Similipal
- Similipal derives its name from ‘Simul’ (silk cotton) tree.
- It is a national park and a tiger reserve and is situated in the northern part of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
- Similipal was declared a biosphere reserve by the Government of India on June 22, 1994 and it was declared UNESCO Biosphere reserve in 2009.
- The Similipal Biosphere Reserve lies within two biogeographical regions: the Mahanadian east coastal region of the Oriental realm and the Chhotanagpur biotic province of the Deccan peninsular zone.
- The highest peak in the Similipal hill range is Khairiburu (1,168 metres).
- The biosphere spread over 4,374 sq. km. has 845 sq. km. of core forest (tiger reserve), 2,129 sq km buffer area and 1,400 sq km of transition space.
- The biosphere reserve has the largest zone of Sal in all of India.
- Local people usually set sal leaves lying on ground on fire to collect Mahua and other non-timber forest produce. The heat-wave condition in Mayurbhanj aided the fire.
- Similipal has 1,076 flowering species and 96 species of orchids. It boasts of having tropical semi-evergreen forests, tropical moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous hill forests, high level sal forests and sprawling meadows.
- Two tribes, the Erenga Kharias and the Mankirdias, inhabit the reserve’s forests and practise traditional agricultural activities.
(Source: The Hindu, Indian Express and UNESCO)
