Maraguda Wildlife Century-2009

Integrated Conservation & Livelihood Initiative: From Similipal to Maraguda

Mayurbhanj Biological Research (MBR), under the leadership of Samir Kumar Sahu, Founder & Executive Director, is actively engaged in biodiversity conservation and sustainable rural development across Odisha.

MBR’s ongoing initiatives in the Similipal Biosphere Reserve focus on rural bio-energy, Go Green campaigns, tiger conservation, and livelihood development through mulberry and tasar sericulture. These efforts directly contribute to reducing anthropogenic pressure on the Similipal Tiger Reserve while improving the socioeconomic conditions of forest-dependent communities.

In addition, MBR recognizes the ecological importance of the Maraguda Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 2009, as a vital habitat for wildlife and biodiversity conservation in the region. The organization envisions expanding its conservation and community-based livelihood models to landscapes like Maraguda, promoting sustainable practices that balance environmental protection with human development.

Strategic Focus Areas

• Clean Energy & Bio-Energy Programs – Reducing fuelwood dependency
• Go Green Campaign 🌱 – Plantation and climate awareness
• Tiger & Wildlife Conservation 🐅 – Supporting protected area management
• Mulberry & Tasar Sericulture 🧵 – Sustainable livelihoods and women empowerment
• Landscape Expansion – Replicating successful models in areas like Maraguda

Vision

To create resilient ecosystems and empowered communities through integrated conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and scientific interventions across key biodiversity landscapes of Odisha.

Workshop Report on Water Crisis Management and Ecological Restoration (2003–04)

Water Crises Management Workshop,by MBR.

Workshop Report on Water Crisis Management and Ecological Restoration (2003–04)

Baripada Municipality & Urban Local Bodies, Odisha

A multi-stakeholder workshop on Water Crisis Management and Ecological Restoration was organized during 2003–04 in Baripada Municipality, Odisha, with the active collaboration of urban local bodies, government departments, and civil society organizations including Mayurbhanj Biological Research (MBR). The program was conducted under the support of National Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC), Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, New Delhi.

The workshop addressed the growing concerns of water scarcity, urban water management challenges, and the ecological importance of water resources, especially in relation to forest ecosystems like the Similipal Tiger Reserve.

Objective of the Workshop

The primary objectives were:

• To analyze the water crisis situation in Baripada Municipality and surrounding urban areas
• To develop sustainable water management strategies
• To highlight the role of water in biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration
• To strengthen inter-departmental coordination for long-term environmental sustainability

Key Dignitaries and Participants

The workshop was enriched by the presence of eminent experts and officials:

• Dr. Debabrata Swain, IFS Officer, who emphasized forest-water linkages and conservation strategies
• Dr. L. A. K. Singh, Senior Scientific Officer, Government of Odisha, Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR)
• K. L. Nanda, Director, Soil Conservation Department
• Officials from the Health Department and Water Resources Department
• Samir Kumar Sahu, Founder & Executive Director of MBR
• Representatives from urban local bodies, NGOs, and community stakeholders

Workshop Proceedings

The workshop commenced with an inaugural address highlighting the urgent need for integrated water resource management in urban and peri-urban areas. The Baripada Municipality has been facing seasonal water shortages, groundwater depletion, and inadequate infrastructure, which necessitated immediate scientific and policy interventions.

Dr. Debabrata Swain (IFS) delivered a keynote address focusing on the intrinsic relationship between forests and water security. He stressed that degradation of forest ecosystems directly impacts water availability and advocated for strengthening conservation efforts in Similipal landscape to maintain hydrological balance.

Dr. L. A. K. Singh elaborated on the ecological significance of water for wildlife, particularly tigers and associated biodiversity. He highlighted that water availability is a critical factor in maintaining habitat quality within protected areas like Similipal. He further emphasized that water conservation is not only a human necessity but also a fundamental requirement for wildlife survival and ecological stability.

K. L. Nanda, Director of Soil Conservation, discussed soil-water relationships and watershed management practices. He recommended measures such as contour bunding, afforestation, and soil moisture conservation techniques to improve groundwater recharge and reduce erosion.

Officials from the Health Department addressed the public health implications of water scarcity and contamination, emphasizing safe drinking water, sanitation, and disease prevention. Meanwhile, the Water Resources Department outlined infrastructural and policy-level interventions for improving water supply systems in urban areas.

Role of MBR

Mayurbhanj Biological Research (MBR), under the leadership of Samir Kumar Sahu, played a key role in organizing and facilitating the workshop. MBR highlighted community-based approaches to water conservation, including awareness campaigns, sustainable livelihood integration, and participatory resource management.

MBR also emphasized the importance of linking water conservation with broader environmental initiatives such as:

• Tiger conservation
• Forest protection
• Rural bio-energy programs
• Climate resilience and ecological restoration

Key Outcomes and Recommendations

The workshop resulted in several important recommendations:

1. Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) approach for urban and rural areas
2. Strengthening forest conservation to ensure long-term water security
3. Promotion of rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge systems
4. Community participation in water conservation and environmental awareness
5. Inter-departmental coordination among health, water, forest, and urban bodies
6. Linking water conservation with wildlife protection and ecological restoration

Conclusion

The workshop successfully brought together diverse stakeholders to address the critical issue of water crisis management in Baripada and its ecological implications. It clearly established that water is not only a basic human necessity but also a vital component of ecosystem health and wildlife conservation.

The discussions reinforced the understanding that sustainable water management must go hand-in-hand with forest conservation, especially in ecologically sensitive areas like Similipal. The integration of scientific knowledge, policy support, and community participation emerged as the cornerstone for long-term solutions.

The initiative by MBR and collaborating agencies under NEAC demonstrated a strong model of participatory environmental governance. It laid the foundation for future interventions aimed at ensuring water security, protecting biodiversity, and promoting sustainable development in Odisha.

Thanking You

Samir Kumar Sahu

www.mbrindia.org

Exploring the Wild: Understanding Silk, Tribal Livelihoods, and the Mission for Society

Exploring the Wild: Understanding Silk, Tribal Livelihoods, and the Mission for Society

A Technical Perspective by Mayurbhanj Biological Research (MBR)
By Samir Kumar Sahu, Founder & Executive Director

---

1. Introduction

The forested landscapes of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve represent a unique convergence of biodiversity, indigenous knowledge systems, and sustainable livelihoods. Tribal communities living in and around these ecosystems have historically depended on forest resources for their subsistence, with sericulture (silk production) emerging as a key nature-based livelihood.

MBR’s initiative, “Explore the Wild and Understand Silk & Livelihood”, is designed to integrate ecological conservation with socioeconomic development, while promoting a mission-driven approach toward sustainable rural transformation.

---

2. Context and Rationale

The dependency on forest resources, particularly fuelwood and non-timber forest products (NTFPs), often creates ecological pressure on sensitive habitats like the Similipal Tiger Reserve. However, traditional practices such as tasar and mulberry sericulture offer an eco-friendly alternative that aligns conservation with income generation.

Silk production, especially tasar culture, is deeply rooted in tribal traditions and provides:

• Seasonal employment
• Women-led income generation
• Low ecological footprint
• Compatibility with forest conservation

---

3. Technical Components of the Initiative

3.1 Sericulture-Based Livelihood Model

• Mulberry Cultivation: Scientific plantation methods to support silkworm rearing
• Tasar Culture: Utilization of host trees like Asan and Arjun in forest fringes
• Silkworm Rearing: Training in disease-free layings (DFLs), rearing cycles, and cocoon production
• Value Addition: Reeling, spinning, and weaving for enhanced income

3.2 Ecological Integration

• Conservation of host plant species
• Reduction in forest degradation through alternative livelihoods
• Promotion of biodiversity-friendly farming systems

3.3 Community Capacity Building

• Skill development programs for tribal youth and women
• Formation of self-help groups (SHGs) and producer collectives
• Exposure visits and field-based learning (“Explore the Wild” approach)

---

4. “Explore the Wild” Approach

This initiative encourages experiential learning by connecting communities, researchers, and stakeholders directly with natural ecosystems. It promotes:

• Understanding forest ecology and wildlife interactions
• Awareness of sustainable harvesting practices
• Strengthening human-nature relationships

The approach reinforces that livelihood security and conservation are interdependent, not conflicting goals.

---

5. Mission for Society

MBR envisions a holistic mission that bridges conservation and development through:

• Sustainable Livelihoods: Enhancing income through eco-friendly enterprises
• Biodiversity Conservation: Supporting habitat protection and reducing anthropogenic pressure
• Climate Resilience: Promoting adaptive practices in vulnerable communities
• Inclusive Growth: Empowering tribal populations, especially women

This mission aligns with national priorities on rural development, tribal welfare, and environmental sustainability.

---

6. Outcomes and Impact

The integrated model has demonstrated:

• Increased household income through sericulture
• Reduced dependency on destructive forest extraction
• Improved awareness of conservation practices
• Strengthened community participation in ecological stewardship

---

7. Future Directions

• Scaling up sericulture clusters in forest fringe villages
• Establishing silk processing and value-chain infrastructure
• Integrating bio-energy and water conservation initiatives
• Strengthening market linkages for tribal silk products

---

8. Conclusion

The “Explore the Wild and Understand Silk & Livelihood” initiative by MBR highlights a replicable model of sustainable development where ecological integrity and human well-being go hand in hand. By leveraging traditional knowledge and scientific interventions, the program demonstrates that conservation can be a driver of prosperity rather than a constraint.

Under the leadership of Samir Kumar Sahu, MBR continues to advance a mission-oriented approach that integrates biodiversity conservation, livelihood security, and community empowerment—paving the way for a resilient and sustainable future.

Samir Kumar Sahu

Executive Director 

www.mbrindia.org