Bhubaneswar: Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary has initiated iron mesh fencing to protect the landscape from poaching activities while establishing a 120-kilometer-long barrier between the sanctuary and 150 surrounding villages. This move is expected to pave the way for the much-awaited tiger translocation in the sanctuary.
Fencing as a Soft Barrier
According to Anshu Pragyan Das, Divisional Forest Officer of Hirakud wildlife division, the wire mesh fencing is not intended to confine wildlife but to reduce conflict along the edges where humans and animals coexist. In Debrigarh, these boundaries are particularly sensitive due to frequent straying of animals from the sanctuary into agricultural fields, leading to targeted electrocution, poaching using chocolate bombs, traps, and snares. The fencing acts as a soft barrier that discourages entry, reduces crop damage, livestock loss, and risk to people.
Completed Stretch and Community Consent
Wildlife officials reported that fencing from pillar 1,007 to Majurmara, covering a length of 2.6 kilometers adjoining Khajuria village, has been completed. This stretch was prioritized due to its vulnerability to poaching. The villagers in this belt initially protested against solar fencing because they depend on the sanctuary for firewood collection. However, they later gave consent to the wire mesh fencing option. Entry for firewood collection from the peripheral part of the sanctuary will be monitored by eco development committee members and sanctuary authorities.
Design and Community Awareness
Officials emphasized that the fencing work has been designed without compromising wildlife corridors, following three years of village-level meetings and sufficient community awareness for habitat management.
Benefits for Tiger Translocation
Wildlife officials noted that wire mesh fencing also prevents wildlife retaliation, especially as the tiger translocation program gains pace and prey animal translocation programs, such as spotted deer translocation, are already underway. The fencing limits poaching and illegal access, making it harder for unauthorized people to enter and helping forest staff monitor and control access points. It will safeguard fragile habitats wherever there is grazing pressure, providing a defined perimeter that makes patrolling and conservation planning more effective.
