Blackbucks disappear from Konark Sanctuary in Odisha

This will come as a great shock to wildlife enthusiasts when they learn that there is not a single blackbuck left at Konark-Balukhand Wildlife Sanctuary. this sanctuary is situated 65-Km from Bhubaneshwar on the Puri-Konark Marine Drive and a forest department census has confirmed the disappearance of the species from their favorite habitat.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 3 November 2015.

The damage to the blackbuck populace had started with the super cyclone of 1999 struck the sanctuary. The forest department's 2014-15 census carried out in February, has confirmed the worst fears of the officials. There is not a single blackbuck left in the 87-sq Km sanctuary.
The forest department is now planning to reintroduce the animals for which they plan to adopt male and female blackbucks from the Betanoi-Balipadar-Buguda region of Ganjam district. This is a protected area for the species. In this way, the sanctuary can once again regain its lost glory and become a major tourist attraction.
Incidentally, as per Forest department sources, there were more than 3000 blackbucks at the Bhetanoi-Balipadar sanctuary now.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)
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No more Chinese firecrackers this Diwali for Odisha

Odisha will have to do without firecrackers of Chinese origin this Diwali because of directives issued by the center - the Union government has apparently asked all states to take action against any illegal shipment of crackers from China.
This has been reported in telegraphindia.com dated 30 October 2015.

The police have bee asked to keep a watch on those who do not abide by the directives and treat any imported consignment of crackers as illegal. they will have to maintain a close watch on sale of such crackers in the markets of, especially, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
The Deputy commissioner of police, Cuttack, has also indicated that the police would ensure that the traders abide by the rules of not selling Chinese crackers before issuing temporary licenses for setting up stalls.
The state government has also asked all its collectors to maintain vigil on sale of illegal fireworks in their respective districts.
Incidentally, the police issue temporary licenses for setting up stalls to sell fireworks in the run up to the Diwalind, on an average, 300 licenses are issued every year in Cuttack and 450 in Bhubaneswar.
It may be noted that the possession and sale of foreign-made explosives is a punishable offense under the guidelines of Explosive Act. However, Chinese fireworks have always been easily available in the markets.
(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org)

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A trip to Puri after cyclone Phailin

My trip to Puri in October 2013 after cyclone Phailin had struck the coast of Orissa was an experience that I am not likely to forget soon. Visiting Lord Jagannath in Puri had been in my mind for many many years and, finally, in 2013, it happened.
It was a long distance planning made three months in advance. I wanted to visit Kolkata after a long absence and requested my relatives in Kolkata to arrange for a short trip to Puri. They visit Puri quite frequently and, hence, are more knowledgeable. Accordingly, they made reservations in trains for both the outward and return journeys and also booked a room in a hotel.
However, the cyclone Phailin changed the picture because by the time our visit arrived, Orissa was in chaos. The cyclone had played havoc with the cities and items were in short supply. Therefore we decided to carry some vegetables, rice, tea, sugar etcetera along with us so that if the ned arose, we could cook our meals because the hotel would provide necessary utensils.
Believe it or not, this was a trip to Puri that I wanted to have in 1953, but it finally materialized in 2013. In 1953, my parents wanted to visit Puri during our school summer vacations but, we, the children, fell sick – it was pox. Hence, the plan was shelved and it finally materialized only last year, after 60-years!!
Needless to say, it was an otherwise pleasant experience as we walked on the beach in Swarga Dwar and experienced the sands moving under our feet as the waves receded. We had gone just after the cyclone had struck and, as we went around, we witnessed the devastations of nature when she gets annoyed. Electric poles and telegraph poles were uprooted as were huge trees. Even the electric poles in the Puri railway station were twisted out of shape.
In the course of our short tour we took in the Nandan Kanan zoo garden in Bhubaneswar and the Konarak Sun temple apart, of course, the Jagannath temple of Puri. We missed out on the Chilka Lake because we were told that the road had become bad after the cyclone.