Overview
The Satkosia Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha has become a focal point of conservation debate following allegations of forcible village relocation despite ancestral coexistence with wildlife. The Odisha government has constituted a high-level inquiry committee to examine adherence to wildlife protection and forest rights laws.
About Satkosia Tiger Reserve
Location and Establishment
- Located in Odisha around the Mahanadi gorge
- Notified as a tiger reserve in 2007 by combining:
- Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary (established 1976)
- Baisipali Sanctuary (notified 1981)
Geographical Significance
- Lies at the meeting point of the Deccan Peninsula and Eastern Ghats biogeographic regions
- Features a 22.5-km-long gorge through which the Mahanadi River flows
- Creates a mosaic of riverine, forest, and wetland habitats
Biodiversity Profile
Mammals: Leopard, Elephant, Gaur Reptiles: Gharials, mugger crocodiles, various reptiles Other: Amphibians, diverse bird and fish species
Vegetation
- Dominated by mixed deciduous and riverine forests
- Key species: Sal (Shorea robusta) and other deciduous vegetation
Conservation Status
- Part of the Mahanadi Elephant Reserve
- Important for elephant conservation and habitat connectivity
Tiger Population Crisis
| Year | Tiger Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2018-19 | 1 |
| 2022 | 0 |
Key Facts:
- India's first inter-State tiger relocation programme was attempted in 2018
- Tigers were brought from Madhya Pradesh
- The programme failed
- State is considering renewed tiger supplementation
Current Controversy
Legal Framework Under Scrutiny
The inquiry committee will verify adherence to:
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Forest Rights Act, 2006
- NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) guidelines
Core Issues
- Allegations of forcible displacement from ancestral villages
- Violation of Forest Rights Act provisions
- Conflict between conservation goals and indigenous rights
- Management challenges due to human presence
Conservation Challenges
- Creating inviolate habitat for tigers
- Balancing wildlife protection with community rights
- Reconciling historical coexistence with modern conservation models
- Ensuring compliance with constitutional and legal provisions
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Wildlife conservation in India operates within a complex legal framework
- Forest Rights Act, 2006 provides rights to forest-dwelling communities
- Tiger conservation requires addressing human-wildlife conflict
- NTCA plays crucial role in tiger reserve management
- Biogeographic diversity influences conservation strategies