TNNSambalpur: Anticipating a spike in poaching, timber smuggling and human-wildlife conflict during the monsoon, the Hirakud wildlife division has rolled out a comprehensive SOP across Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary, mandating intensified surveillance and rapid-response measures from July to Oct.Divisional forest officer (DFO) Anshu Pragyan Das said the SOP has been designed to address monsoon-specific conservation challenges, including illegal entry into the sanctuary, wildlife crime and habitat disturbances caused by flooding.Spread over 353 sq km, the Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary is among Odisha’s most significant protected forests, harbouring healthy populations of gaur, leopards, sloth bears, sambar, spotted deer and four-horned antelope. The sanctuary has also recorded successful breeding of the endangered Indian dhole.According to forest officials, nearly 100 km of the Hirakud Reservoir shoreline along the sanctuary’s north-eastern boundary becomes vulnerable during the rainy season, with miscreants using boats to access forest areas for poaching and timber smuggling. On the south-western side, six waterfalls draw large crowds, raising concerns over unauthorised entry, illegal picnicking and disturbance to wildlife.Heavy rainfall and flooding often force wild animals to move towards fringe villages, increasing the likelihood of human-animal conflict.As part of the monsoon strategy, the division has mapped 129 foot-patrolling routes covering 941 km. Beat officers in all 26 beat offices have been instructed to prepare daily patrol plans based on vulnerability assessments, intelligence inputs and past incidents. Twenty-eight patrolling teams — 11 inside the sanctuary and 17 along its periphery — have been deployed for round-the-clock surveillance.The SOP identifies 62 vulnerable locations requiring close monitoring. These include 21 entry points, 96 km of village boundaries, 31 village footpaths, 115 km of forest roads, six waterfalls, 100 km of reservoir shoreline and six reservoir access points.Seventy-one eco-development committees (EDCs) have been enlisted to report wildlife movement and share information on illegal activities. Forest staff have been directed to maintain close coordination with the committees and respond promptly to alerts.Three control rooms, including one at the DFO’s office, are functioning round the clock during the monsoon. A communication network comprising 21 VHF stations and 112 wireless handsets has also been activated to ensure seamless connectivity across remote forest areas.Forest personnel covered 97,730 km through foot patrols in 2025-26, officials said. In June this year alone, 6,694 km was patrolled, while another 1,381 km has already been covered during the first half of July.To secure the reservoir boundary, three boat patrolling teams have been stationed at Parbatitung, Chowrasimal and Badduma. Five motorboats equipped with life jackets, communication devices and emergency supplies have been deployed.Anti-snare operations are also being intensified using four metal detectors and three live-wire detectors to identify illegal traps and electrified hunting devices. Field staff have been instructed to remain alert for suspicious movement of people, vehicles and boats, and to actively look for evidence of poaching, timber felling, snares, explosives, poison, firearms, illegal camping and unauthorised picnicking.
Patrolling by forest personnel
Patrolling by forest personnel
Patrolling by forest personnel
Patrolling by forest personnel
