Hi everyone, I hope all of you're safe and doing well.

It's 22:28 in Odisha now. It's been more than 20 days since the hurricane horrified people and ruined the biodiversity of the state. There are still more than 1000 homes which are surviving without electricity and struggling with water supply. No doubt that the State Government has done a commendable job in reducing the magnitude of impact of the severely consequential cyclonic storm "Fani", but life post Fani has been difficult. Internet is still slow. Communication lines have been completely cut and roads have been destroyed. But what's been more pathetic is the fact that Odisha, the state that had till now remained an attractive tourist destination for its green habitats, has completely been ravaged by the storm so much so that the flora, the biodiversity of the place is almost lost. Hence, in this report, I'll try my best to focus on the biodiversity loss of Odisha due to cyclone and the subsequent measures for reforestation.

The cyclone hit Odisha coast at a time when large number of tourists were expected to flock to the state. Fani, the second most powerful cyclone to have hit Odisha, paralysed the state after it made landfall in Puri on May 3, 2019 with a wind speed of 175 kilometres per hour. Over 12 million tourists arrive in Odisha every year, and the sector sees a growth of 9-10 per cent annually. But the cyclone has terminated all the travel plans and has thus out a tremendous economic pressure on the already poor state. Lakhs of trees have been destroyed causing a damage of Rs. 537 crore when Cyclone Fani hit the State.

The whole of Odisha’s seaside Balukhanda Wildlife Sanctuary near Puri has been severely damaged by extremely severe cyclonic storm Fani. Around 60 lakh trees, mostly of casuarina and cashew, were uprooted by the wind. The crowns of many tamarind, karanja, polanga, neem and other trees were also severely damaged. The sanctuary is home to a wide range of fauna, including 4,000 spotted deer or chital, birds and other species such as jackals, hyenas, jungle cats and monitor lizards. It has an area of 87 square kilometres and is located along the Bay of Bengal between Puri and Konark. But after the cyclone, several rare species of spotted deers were found dead. The sanctuary plays an important role in maintaining agricultural productivity of the inland areas by arresting land erosion. It also contributes in recharging freshwater levels on the ground and preventing seawater ingress. The Talabani area, adjacent to the sanctuary boundary on the western side, is extremely important for Puri as a sweet water zone and thus has to be preserved at any cost. The land is also a source of more than 30 springs, which are renowned for their myriad wildlife. They are home to more than 300 species of rare plants and animals. The cyclone has decimated habitats and wildlife is looking stressed.

FIGHTING BACK

But the Odisha government has chalked out a Rs. 200-crore, five-year plan to restore the green cover lost due to Cyclone Fani in the coastal region. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed the Forest Department to implement the ‘Five-year action plan on revival of coastal shelter belt and afforestation programme’ on a mission mode. The government would undertake the afforestation programme on 8,000 hectares over a five-year period. While 65 lakh saplings were distributed in 2018-19 in Fani-affected districts, it would be doubled to 1.3 crore in 2019-20. Under an urban tree plantation programme, five lakh saplings would be planted in five years. Also, about 30,000 uprooted trees would be replanted and restored in suitable places. The government targets to plant fruit-bearing plants in 12,000 hectares which would help revive the livelihood of many cyclone-affected people. Of the 1.3 crore saplings, the Forest Department will plant 80 lakh, while 50 lakh will be planted by different educational institutions, industrial and private areas. Different varieties of cyclone-resistant trees such as Neem, Karanja, Baula, Jamu, Korila, Chatian, Khaira, Arjun, Mahyoni, Ashok, Harida, Bahada, Shisu, Katha Champa and Dimiri will be planted.

Besides, many NGOs, foundations and volunteers have come forth with their campaigns to restore the biodiversity cover of Odisha.

I sincerely hope that Odisha becomes greener sooner !