BARIPADA: Authorities of the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) have launched an initiative to restore over 500 hectares (ha) of degraded grasslands to strengthen wildlife habitats and improve the prey base for tigers.
Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF) and STR Field Director Prakash Chand Gogineni said in the initial phase, 50 ha in STR’s southern wildlife and 20 ha in northern wildlife divisions will be restored using locally collected seeds of native grass species.
He said the RRT has about 1,250 ha of registered grassland, but more than 40 percent has been degraded due to overgrazing by growing game populations and the spread of insidious weeds.
After finding traditional weeding methods costly and ineffective, STR has adopted the total seeding technique, which involves preparing degraded sites and planting a diverse mix of native grasses collected from local farmland, roadside strips and abandoned land. Authorities also plan to establish permanent grass seed nurseries to ensure a steady supply for future restoration.
During the years 2025-2026, about 40 ha of degraded meadows were treated with this method, with encouraging results. The restored plots are now dominated by native grasses, and wildlife is expected to be allowed in these areas after another seeding cycle next year, he said.
Officials said total planting proved to be the most effective among four restoration methods tested. The initiative is expected to revive 500 hectares of grassland, improve ecological health, increase game productivity and provide surplus native grass seeds to other forest divisions, ultimately benefiting Similipal’s tiger population.
“Healthy kirins are essential to support herbivore populations, which in turn support carnivores, including tigers within the STR,” Gogineni added.
