The Odisha government has officially designated the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR), known for housing the world's only wild melanistic tigers, as a national park, encompassing 845.70 sq/km. This marks STR as the 107th national park in India and the second in Odisha, following Bhitarkanika. The move, initially proposed in 1980, came to fruition after over 40 years of pending discussions.

Key Aspects of Similipal Tiger Reserve:

• Biodiversity: Similipal is home to 40 Royal Bengal tigers, around 25% of Odisha's elephant population, and 104 species of orchids, with a significant number being endemic to the region. The area supports over 360 bird species and a variety of mammals, including leopards, sambar deer, and mugger crocodiles.
• Unique Wildlife: The melanistic tigers of Similipal have unique characteristics, exhibiting higher melanin levels that result in black coats with yellow stripes, categorizing them as pseudo-melanistic.

Significance of National Park Status:

• Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described this declaration as crucial for advancing ecological and tribal aspirations, reinforcing Odisha's dedication to sustainable development, a concept termed ‘Viksit Bharat, Viksit Odisha’.
• The area outside the new national park (the remaining 2,750 sq/km) will continue as a wildlife sanctuary, maintaining its multi-faceted recognition as a biodiversity hotspot, a Project Tiger area, UNESCO biosphere reserve, and elephant reserve.
• The designation as a national park implies a "rights-free" zone where no human activities can occur, significantly enhancing conservation efforts compared to the limited activities allowed in wildlife sanctuaries.

Conservation Efforts:

• The state's forest department is launching the Greater Similipal Landscape Programme to enhance protection strategies for the new national park and its ecological corridors.
• Modern surveillance methods will be employed, including the use of AI-powered camera systems and V-SAT communication networks tailored to monitor remote areas, supported by a dedicated force of trained police personnel and ex-servicemen.
• In an effort to boost the tiger population genetically, two female tigers from Tadoba Andheri Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra were introduced, which, if successful, could help increase the Similipal tiger population to an estimated 100 by 2036.

Community Initiatives:

• The Odisha government has initiated the Ama Similipal Yojana, aiming to enhance the livelihoods and skill training of local communities. This program includes measures to promote eco-tourism and cultural tourism and upgrade infrastructure relating to health, education, and resource access.

Summary Points:

• STR is now recognized as a national park, becoming the 107th in India and the second in Odisha.
• It is crucial for conserving unique wildlife, particularly 40 Bengal tigers and various other species.
• The designation aligns with Odisha's goals of ecological protection and sustainable development.
• The area is now rights-free, which prevents human activities that could threaten conservation efforts.
• Advanced technology and community programs are part of the strategy to ensure both wildlife protection and local livelihood enhancement.

This strategic development in Odisha highlights the government's commitment to biodiversity conservation and enforcing sustainability measures while promoting community welfare in the vicinity of Similipal Tiger Reserve.

The International Coral Reef Initiative recently reported alarming data showing that approximately 84% of the world’s coral reef areas have experienced significant degradation due to mass bleaching, a phenomenon largely driven by unprecedented high ocean temperatures over the past year. This ongoing crisis marks the fourth global bleaching event since 1998 and has exceeded the bleaching impact recorded between 2014 and 2017, which affected two-thirds of coral reefs worldwide.

Overview of Coral Reefs

• Corals as Animals: Corals, classified into hard and soft varieties, are sessile animals that form colonies composed of many genetically identical polyps. Hard corals are essential as they construct intricate three-dimensional reef structures over millennia.
• Ecological Importance: Coral reefs serve as a critical hub for marine biodiversity, hosting thousands of species. The Great Barrier Reef alone is home to over 400 coral species, 1,500 fish species, 4,000 mollusc species, and six of the world's seven sea turtle species. Estimates suggest millions of undiscovered species may inhabit these ecosystems.
• Economic Value: Coral reefs provide goods and services valued at around $375 billion annually. More than 500 million people rely on them for food, income, and coastal protection, as they significantly mitigate the impacts of storms and floods by absorbing up to 97% of wave energy.

Understanding Coral Bleaching

• The Role of Zooxanthellae: Corals maintain a symbiotic relationship with algae known as zooxanthellae, which live within their tissues. These algae are vital for coral health, offering oxygen and organic compounds produced through photosynthesis while giving corals their bright colors.
• Stress Responses: Coral reefs are particularly sensitive to environmental changes, especially in light and temperature. Stress factors can lead corals to expel zooxanthellae, resulting in a phenomenon known as coral bleaching, where corals lose their color and, under prolonged stress, may suffer mortality. While the onset of bleaching does not immediately kill corals, it can lower their reproductive capabilities and increase susceptibility to disease.
• Global Bleaching Events: The first recorded global mass bleaching occurred in 1998, impacting 20% of reef areas, followed by events in 2010 (affecting 35%) and 2014-2017 (56%). The current crisis is the most severe to date.

The current situation with global coral bleaching highlights the urgent need for conservation and care for these vital ecosystems, emphasizing their critical role in supporting marine biodiversity and providing economic benefits to millions worldwide. The crisis represents an ongoing and escalating threat to both marine life and human communities dependent on coral reefs.

Important Points:

• 84% of coral reef areas globally impacted by bleaching due to high ocean temperatures.
• Fourth global bleaching event since 1998, surpassing prior severe bleaching from 2014-2017.
• Corals are sessile animals forming colonies, with hard corals being the architects of reefs.
• Coral reefs host a vast diversity of marine species and provide significant ecological and economic value.
• Zooxanthellae, the algae within corals, are critical for coral health but can be expelled during stress, leading to bleaching.
• Coral bleaching poses severe threats to coral viability and ecosystem health, with a record of increasing global events since 1998.

The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has approved a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the conservation of tiger populations within the state's nine tiger reserves. This scheme, titled 'Development of Buffer Zones in Tiger Reserves', carries a total budget of ₹145 crore and will be implemented over the financial years 2025-26 and 2027-28. The approval came during a Cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.

Key aspects of the scheme are:

• Establishment of Buffer Zones: The initiative focuses on developing buffer zones around tiger reserves, which are ecologically sensitive areas crucial for wildlife protection.
• Installation of Chain-Link Fencing: One of the primary activities involves installing chain-link fencing in these buffer areas to guard against encroachments and protect wildlife.
• Development of Ecosystems: Additional activities include the enhancement of grasslands and the creation of water resources that are vital for sustaining the flora and fauna within the reserves.
• Wildlife Protection and Fire Safety: The scheme includes measures to ensure wildlife protection and implement fire safety protocols in these areas.
• Health Monitoring and Treatment: There will be health monitoring and treatment programs for wild animals to support their survival and health.
• Community Skill Training: Skill development programs will be organized for local communities to engage them in conservation efforts, fostering a cooperative relationship between humans and wildlife.

An important highlight from the state's recent conservation efforts is the increase in the tiger population, which has risen from 526 to 785 in the buffer zones surrounding the nine tiger reserves over the past four years. This surge emphasizes the significance of continued conservation measures and the potential for further growth in tiger numbers under this new scheme.

In summary, the government of Madhya Pradesh is taking robust steps to bolster wildlife conservation through the implementation of a well-funded, multi-faceted scheme aimed at protecting and enhancing the ecological balance of its tiger reserves.

Important Points:

• Madhya Pradesh Cabinet has in-principle approved the development of buffer zones in nine tiger reserves.
• The scheme has a budget of ₹145 crore for the financial years 2025-26 and 2027-28.
• Key elements include chain-link fencing, wildlife protection, and fire safety measures.
• Other components involve the development of grasslands, water resources, and health monitoring for wild animals.
• Skill training programs for local communities are also part of the initiative.
• The tiger population in these buffer zones has risen from 526 to 785 in the last four years, indicating successful conservation efforts.
• The initiative highlights the commitment of the Madhya Pradesh government to enhance biodiversity and ecological conservation.