The Odisha government is planning to declare 13 more spots as eco-sensitive zones across the state.

“We have already declared three spots as eco-sensitive zones. The state government will soon come out with a notification to declare 13 more spots as eco-sensitive zones, probably within a day or two,” said minister of forest and environment on the sidelines of a seminar on livelihood issues of fisher women. Last May, the state government had declared the Chandaka-Dampada, Konark-Balukhand and Nandankanan Sanctuary as eco-sensitive Zones.

BHUBANESWAR: What about rock-climbing in the cooler ambience of a forest? Or rather a bi-cycle ride in the woods with the family? May be a few hours of fun watching films in a natural atmosphere?

BERHAMPUR: A herd of 30 wild elephants continue to unleash a reign of terror in Ganjam district putting the Forest Department officials in a tizzy.

BHUBANESWAR: Existence of illegal laterite quarries, located tantalisingly close to Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary, have emerged as a serious problem for the protected area (PA) which is a favourite elephant habitat.

While there is a growing demand for creation of buffer zones near PAs, the local revenue administration seems to have turned a blind eye to such quarries which operate right under the

BHUBANESWAR: The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has asked for a specific wildlife management plan in view of construction of a 400 KV Baripada-Mendhasal transmission line.

Rising incidence of electrocution of elephants being a major concern in the State, MoEF has asked for preparation of a site specific wildlife management plan for the transmission line project.

BHUBANESWAR: For nature lovers of the Capital, here is a chance to hit the nature

BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to keep the marauding elephants away from the Capital, Wildlife Wing of the Forest Department has embarked upon a project which will not only create a fodder zone for the jumbos but also strengthen protection measures for the City abutting the Chandaka Elephant Sanctuary.

BHUBANESWAR: The recent forest fires across the State and rise in February temperature could be the effect of the climate change and global warming. Migratory birds coming to Orissa are affected too by these phenomena, going by their number.

Orissa plans to manage them WITH wildlife habitat getting fragmented, elephants are more frequently straying into urban areas and causing mayhem. On January 1, a herd of elephants entered the Berhampur University campus and went on a rampage near campus staff quarters. The son of a staff member was injured. A few days before that a tusker had strayed into Jagannath Vihar, a residential

BHUBANESWAR: The wildlife wing of the Forest department has raised concerns over the setting up of 1,000 mw thermal power plant proposed by Tata Power Company at Naraj.

Its proximity to critical sites, impact of pollution on them as well as on the wildlife are issues the wildlife wing is worried about.