Lok Sabha Question No. 188 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Conservation Efforts in Kendrapara, Odisha
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Baijayant Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 188

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2024

## Conservation Efforts in Kendrapara, Odisha

- *188.   SHRI BAIJAYANT PANDA:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government plans to conserve the Bhitarkanika National Park and its  unique  ecosystem  in  Kendrapara  in  the  State  of  Odisha,  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  allocated  any  funds  for  conservation  projects  in Kendrapara in the State of Odisha, particularly for mangrove conservation, if so, the details thereof;

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

- (a) and (b) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

***

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (b) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *188  REGARDING  'CONSERVATION  EFFORTS  IN KENDRAPARA,  ODISHA'  BY  SHRI  BAIJAYANT  PANDA  DUE  FOR  REPLY  ON 09.12.2024.

- (a) and (b) The important steps taken for conservation, protection and management of wild life in the Bhitarkanika National Park include:
- i. An area of 145 sq. kms which includes forest lands, rivers, creeks, estuary and backwaters has been declared as Bihtarkanika National Park in 1998 under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. As per the provisions of the Act,
- a. Hunting inside the National Park and altering its boundaries are punishable  with  imprisonment  for  a  minimum  term  of  three years and may extend to seven years and also with a fine not be less than twenty-five thousand rupees.
- b. The  boundaries  of  the  National  Park  cannot  be  altered  by  the State  Government  without  recommendation  of  the  National Board for Wild Life.
- c. Destruction, exploitation or removal of any Wild Life including forest  produce  from  the National  Park  and  diversion,  stopping or enhancing the flow of water into or outside the National Park is  not  allowed,  except  under  and  in  accordance  with  a  permit granted  by  the  Chief  Wild  Life  Warden  with  approval  of  the State Government upon recommendation of the National Board of Wild Life.
- ii. Bhitarkanika National Park  has  been  declared as a Ramsar  site  in 2002.
- iii. As informed  by  the  State  of  Odisha,  the  detail  of  funds  allocated under different  schemes/projects from  FY 2020-21 to 2024-25 for protection and conservation of wildlife and its habitat including for mangrove conservation in Kendrapara, Odisha is as follows:
- iv. Further,  the  Government  of  India  has  launched  the  'Mangrove Initiative  for  Shoreline  Habitats  &  Tangible  Incomes"  (MISHTI) programme  to  restore  and  promote  mangroves  as  unique,  natural eco-system and for  preserving  and  enhancing  the  sustainability  of the coastal habitats in 2023. An amount of Rs. 70.27 lakhs has been
- released to the state of Odisha for undertaking activities under the programme in the 4 identified districts including Kendrapara.
- v. Wild  Life Crime  Control  Bureau  has  been  set up to gather intelligence about illegal wildlife trade in wild animals and animal articles and to achieve interstate and trans boundary coordination in enforcement of wildlife laws.

|   Sl | Name of the Scheme/Project                                                                                                                                           |   Amount (in Rs. Lakhs) |
|------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|
|    1 | CSS-Development of Wildlife Habitats                                                                                                                                 |                  512.13 |
|    2 | CSS-Conservation and Management of Mangroves                                                                                                                         |                  487.87 |
|    3 | Eco-system restoration and Mangrove Plantation along with livelihood activities under 'Enhancing Climate Resilience of India's Coastal Communities (ECRICC) project' |                 1643.63 |

***