Forest & Environment

BHADRAK WILDLIFE DIVISION

Introduction:

Consequent upon reorganization of the Forest Department vide Notification No.1F (A)-100/ 2003-13228 dated 08th August, 2003 of Govt. of Odisha, F&E Department, Bhadrak Wildlife Division came into being with effect from 1st October, 2003 with Headquarter at Bhadrak. This Division was formed carving out a portion of erstwhile Baripada Forest Division and a portion of erstwhile Mangrove Forest Division (WL) Rajnagar. The Jurisdiction of Bhadrak Wildlife Division is the entire geographical area of Bhadak Revenue District and therefore, the boundary is co-terminus with the District boundary. Subsequently, the Headquarter was shifted to Chandbali with effect from 05.04.2006 and continuing as such. However, the Divisional Forest Officer is attending the camp office at Bhadrak three days a week as per Govt. of Odisha, F&E Department Notification No.1F (A) Misc-2/2013-4674 dated 04th March, 2013. The area of the Division lies between 20° 43’N to 21° 15’N Latitude and 86° 14’E to 87° 05’E Longitude. As per district statistical report the total Geographical area of the Division is 2505 Sq. Km. and forest area is 53.32 Sq. Km.This District is bounded by Balasore District on the north, Jajpur District and river Baitarani on the south, Keonjhar District on the west and Bay of Bengal and Kendrapada District on the east. There are 07 Tahasils which are coterminous with 07 Blocks functioning in the District. Two municipalities (Bhadrak & Basudevpur), 02 NAC (Chandbali & Dhamnagar), 18 Police Stations and 193 Gram Panchayats are there in Bhadrak District.

Employees Working in Bhadrak (WL) Division

Forest Area:

  The Division is devoid of natural high forest except the degraded Mangrove forests along the Coast starting from boarder of Balasore district i.e. Kansabansa river in the North up to Dhamara river in the south.

The category wise breaks up of forests of this Division are as follows: 

Mangrove Forests:

There are natural mangrove forests along the coast of Bay of Bengal starting from Dhamara river in the south up to Kansabansa river in the north. All these forests are in various stages of degradation due to anthropogenic pressures.

Organizational Set up:

            There are Four Ranges in Bhadrak Wildlife Division which are as follows:

ACTIVITIES:

The Division undertakes activities like protection of wildlife, anti-smuggling and plantation etc. out of funds made available under Central Plan, Centrally Sponsored Plan, State Plan, Non Plan, NAP, CAMPA & MGNREGS Schemes etc. Besides, activities under OFSDP are being undertaken in Basudevpur and Chandbali Ranges since 2007-08 under JICA assistance in Joint Forest Management mode. 

As this Division is devoid of any Natural High Forest, protection activities are restricted to anti-smuggling only to prevent movement of illegal timber from adjoining Forest Divisions. Besides, regular raids are conducted on Illegal Storage, saw Mills & Carpentry Units.During  nesting of Olive Ridley Turtles, regular patrolling is conducted by On-shore (6 nos.) & Off- shore (1 no.) camps during the period for their protection.

Census of crocodiles done every year in Salandi, Baitarani & Mantei Rivers. The census data are as follows: