Odisha's Tiger Translocation Plan Hits Roadblock Over Karnataka's Kumki Elephant Delay
The ambitious second phase of tiger translocation in Odisha has encountered a significant logistical impasse. While Madhya Pradesh stands ready to donate tigers for the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, the project remains in limbo due to Karnataka's hesitation in providing kumki elephants, a mandatory prerequisite for the big cats' introduction.
Inter-State Coordination Challenges Emerge
Wildlife officials reveal that Odisha's wildlife wing has formally requested 5-6 kumki elephants with mahouts from Karnataka, but has yet to receive confirmation. Prem Kumar Jha, Odisha's chief wildlife warden, emphasized the urgency in a letter to his Karnataka counterpart, stating, "In recent years, we faced challenges in mitigating human-elephant conflict. Your help in getting kumki elephants would greatly assist us in addressing these conflicts."
The elephants are crucial for patrolling, monitoring, and managing potential human-animal conflicts once tigers are introduced. This delay follows the successful first phase of translocation in Similipal during October-November 2024, which brought tigers from Maharashtra.
Debrigarh Sanctuary Preparations Near Completion
Despite the elephant-related setback, Debrigarh authorities have made substantial progress in meeting other mandatory requirements. All villages within the sanctuary were successfully relocated before 2023 and rehabilitated outside, creating 350 square kilometers of inviolate breeding space.
Community engagement programs including Debrigarh Abhinandan, storytelling sessions, and eco-development activities have run successfully for three years. Physical infrastructure development is also advancing:
- 30% completion of wire mesh barriers, contour bunds, and solar fencing
- 7% of sanctuary converted and maintained as meadow habitat
- 120-kilometer steel mesh boundary along human habitation areas
- Gram sabhas planned in 55 adjoining villages as required for tiger reserve notification
Technical and Administrative Progress
Odisha wildlife officials visited Madhya Pradesh to study tiger habitats, and MP authorities are prepared to provide an appropriate male-female pair. An expert committee has submitted its study report on the sanctuary, and authorities have created soft enclosures while focusing on capacity building.
The steel mesh boundary aims to maintain separation between 150 villages and the sanctuary, addressing community concerns about animal dispersion. Officials stress that local representatives and villagers need to understand the importance of tiger introduction to ensure smooth post-release management.
With infrastructure nearly ready and Madhya Pradesh willing to cooperate, the project's success now hinges on Karnataka's decision regarding the kumki elephants, highlighting the complex inter-state coordination required for major wildlife conservation initiatives.
