to apathy on the part of the powers-that-be and lack of awareness among the people.
Caught between the conflicting interests of man and the nature, the very existence of this region, one of the oldest hill forest eco-systems in the country, seems to be threatened. On the one hand it is a unique hill-forest-eco-system which deserves preservation for its ecological value; on the other hand there is severe pressure from the local population, most of whom are tribals, for utilising its resources to meet their basic needs.
Spread over an area of over 2,000 sq km bordering Andhra Pradesh, this majestic micro-environmental terrain is dotted with over 25 small and big hills among which Singaraj (1516 meters), Mahendragiri (1601 meters) and Devagiri (1392 meters) are the highest peaks in the region forming a golden triangle symbolising the area's immense ecological asset.
An official at Parlakhemundi, headquarter town of Gajapati district, about 320 km from Bhubaneswar , says that the area has remained in the oblivion for ages because of it's relatively anonymity. There has been no development in the region located right on the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border in the past 50 years.
Attributing the “negligent attitude” meted out the region to lack of strong political will, the official says as there are many other unsettled disputes between the two neighbouring states, Odisha government is hardly interested in the development of the Mahendragiri region.
Interestingly, the entire Mahendragiri range has turned out to be a safe sanctuary for the Maoists as the dense forests of the region fall right on the `Pasupati to Tirupati' (between Nepal and Andhra Pradesh) corridor of the leftwing ultras.
Noted environmentalist S. N. Patra, who is spearheading the agitation for protection of the environment of Mahendragiri region, says it is fascinating yet a tragic example of how environmental degradation can affect a region with vast potential, its primitive tribes, flora and fauna.
Immediate protection and rehabilitation measures are needed if the eco-system of Mahendragiri, one of the unique natural heritage sites in the Indian sub-continent, is to be restored to its pristine glory, he says.
Expressing anguish over the mindless destruction of the hill system, eminent geologist Naba Kishore Mahalik says that such a beautiful forest range wears a deserted and bald look due to large-scale deforestation. It is there only for the namesake, he says adding it is high time the government intervene to save whatever is left there.
Mahendragiri represents the transitional flora between southern peninsular India and the Himalayas making the region an ecological estuary of genetic diversities.
However, short-cycled shifting cultivation, reclamation of forestland for agriculture, removal of timber, firewood and over-collection of minor forest produce, indiscriminate vegetation clearance and loss of biodiversity, stone quarrying, cattle grazing, reduced flow of water in the streams, loss of fertile top soil, loss of soil moisture and lowering of the water table are some of the causes of eco-degradation of the Mahendragiri hill complex.
Meanwhile, the Orissa Environmental Society, of which Patra is the vice-president, has urged the state government to take up conservation measures in the region at the earliest to save it from further destruction.
“Based on its unique biological, archaeological, heritage, historical and cultural aspects, the Mahendragiri Hill complex deserves to be recognised as an Entity of Incomparable Value (EIV). It has the potential to be designated as a Biosphere Reserve and Heritage Site”, he claims.
Having realised the importance of the forest range, the government had set up a mini-Biosphere Reserve in the foothills of Mahendragiri near Koinpur covering a meager 21.85 sq km (with 200 hectares of core area, 500 hectares buffer and 1485 hectares transition area) a few years ago.
However, taking into account the fast depletion of its natural resources, it is imperative to set up a Biosphere Reserve in the broader Mahendragiri-Singaraj-Badadeva-Devagiri system for their regeneration to the pre-historic status, Patra demands.
“Once it is covered under the Biosphere Reserve network, it will enable conservation of the natural resources including the ethno-biological species of the tract,” he says.
Suggesting that conservation measures with local community participation and eco-friendly economic activities ensuring their livelihood support will help restoration of the hill complex, he says promotion of biodiversity as well as other natural resources can be pursued through application of science and appropriate rural technology and bio-technology.
Forest resources management, watershed management, soil and water conservation measures and many other multifarious activities would give ample opportunity of self-employment to the tribals. Besides, this will help check migration of the local tribals to urban areas in search of job.
Debabrat Swain, Conservator of Forests, Berhampur claims that all steps are being taken for conservation of the Mahendragiri hill system. A proposal is being submitted to the government to declare the area as Biosphere Reserve. “It is a fit case to be declared as a Biosphere Reserve.
“I am surprised as to how it has not been accorded the status of Biosphere Reserve or any such conservation measures so far,” he says.
Bharat Paik, BJP MLA from Ramgiri said Gajapati is one of the Maoist prone districts in the state. The government has to undertake developmental works in the area to win the confidence of the local populace.
He had raised this issue in the assembly, but none of the assurances given for development of the area had materialised so far. “This is one of the rarest of rare hill forest ecosystems in the country and it should be protected at all costs for the posterity,” he adds.
Usha Devi, BJD MLA from Chikiti says that as there has been no developmental activity in the region since long, the people have begun using land indiscriminately, felling the trees and burning wood for charcoal. This has led to soil erosion, drying up of springs and vanishing of wildlife. The BJD-BJP government is “very serious” for development of the region and the same will be visible in the days to come.
Ecologically, the Mahendragiri terrain is in a very bad shape today as the vegetation cover has become very thin except in the valleys and towards the lower regions which still have patches of dense forest.
Varied plant and animal species still survive in the wilds of the region. Out of 32 plant species in the country identified for conservation, cultivation and sustainable commercial exploitation by the National Medicinal Plants Board under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, botanists have identified at least 15 species available in the Mahendragiri eco-system.
The picturesque natural scenery and the panoramic view of the Bay of Bengal from the hilltop make the place a potentially important tourist destination.
The tourist potential of the region can be gauged from the fact that Bay of Bengal is only 25 km from the foot-hills on the Andhra Pradesh side and two majestic rivers originating from the hills flowing in opposite directions. On the hill top are temples of Yudhistira, Kunti and Bhima of the Maharabharat that attract large number of tourists during “Shivaratri” every year.
The three temples were declared protected monuments way back in 1964 by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Due to its higher altitude, inaccessible dense forests infested with wild animals and lack of road communication, no developmental work has been possible in the past. Only time will say whether the picturesque forest range will be protected or taken over by the Maoist ultras which will strategically help them to further their activities.
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