In its bid to increase the protected area network in Odisha, the Forest and Environment department has proposed Barbara (Khurda), Northern Reserve Forest (Athamallik) and Gandhamardan (Bargarh) as wildlife sanctuaries.
The department is already at the advanced stages of identifying the boundaries and preparing maps for these three forest areas. It is also working on declaration of Mahendragiri as a biosphere reserve.
The department has successfully reintroduced two tigers in Satkosia and will continue its endeavour of big cat supplementation. With increased protection, footprints of tigers have been found in Debrigarh and other parts of the State.
A fully-customised Airawat vehicle fitted with sirens, fog-lights and crane is being procured from West Bengal for elephant rescue and conflict management. Three elephants will also be brought from Karnataka.
Similarly, a specially- designed vehicle with hydraulic platform that has a cage and ventilator support would be brought from Kanha while a herbivore transportation system is also being procured.