Bhubaneswar: With the onset of the forest fire season approaching, the Odisha government has intensified its fire prevention and mitigation efforts to safeguard the state’s rich forest cover. A comprehensive strategy has been put in place, combining advanced technology, district-level planning, trained fire response teams, and real-time monitoring systems to tackle potential fire outbreaks effectively….
Bhubaneswar: The Rushikulya river mouth beach in Ganjam district has witnessed a massive influx of rare Olive Ridley turtles for their annual mass nesting, with an astounding 11,000-plus turtles arriving on the first day alone. According to the Forest Department, the turtles have started laying eggs near the Batighar temple in Ganjam district. Each Olive…
Berhampur: In a significant achievement for wildlife conservation, the blackbuck population in Odisha’s Ganjam district has surged to 8,789, marking a steady increase over the years. The latest biannual census, conducted by the forest department on January 29, recorded a significant rise from 7,745 in 2023 and 4,082 in 2018, reflecting successful conservation efforts. According to…
Bhubaneswar: The eagerly awaited Hirakud Wetland Census 2025 commenced today, with a dedicated team of 70 birders spread across 32 teams conducting the enumeration. Covering the expansive 550 sq. km wetland, the census spans 21 sectors, from the Hirakud Lake to the Odisha-Chhattisgarh border, aiming to document the region’s rich avian diversity. The previous census…
Kendrapara: Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapara district has been closed to visitors until January 22 to facilitate the annual census of crocodiles and migratory birds, officials announced on Tuesday. Assistant Conservator of Forests, Manas Das, informed that several teams have been deployed to conduct the headcount in the park’s creeks, rivers, wetlands, and mangrove…
Dehradun: Odisha has emerged as one of the top contributors to India’s growing green cover, as highlighted in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, released today by Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. Published biennially by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) since 1987,…
Debrigarh: The Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha has successfully conducted its first-ever census of Indian Bison, also known as Gaur, on November 12 and 13, 2024. The census revealed a robust population of 659 Gaurs, including 210 juveniles, making up 30% of the total count. This high percentage of young individuals indicates a thriving and…
Mayurbhanj: Tigress Jamuna, recently relocated from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, has now been released into the core area of Odisha’s Similipal Forest, Deputy Director Dr. Samrat Gowda of the Similipal South Wildlife Division announced on Saturday. Jamuna left her soft enclosure at approximately 10 a.m. on Saturday, making her way into the dense core of…
Bhubaneswar: Cyclone Dana, which made landfall between Odisha’s Kendrapada district’s Bhitarkanika National Park and Bhadrak’s Dhamra on the midnight of October 24, saw its impact significantly reduced in Bhitarkanika thanks to the dense cover of mangrove forests in the area. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, Dana struck with wind speeds ranging from 100 to…
Similipal: In a significant move to bolster the tiger population and improve genetic diversity, two Royal Bengal Tigers from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve will soon be translocated to Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve. This effort is part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening tiger conservation in the region. A team of forest officials, including the…
