Over 2,000 trees found girdled in Chhattisgarh tiger reserve
Over 2,000 fully grown trees, predominantly Sal, Bija and Tendu species, have been found girdled in the Karka area of Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR) spanning Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari and Gariaband districts. The discovery was made during a recent inspection by senior forest officials who identified the practice of bark removal that cuts off nutrient supply, eventually killing the trees. Satellite imagery analysis has revealed the full extent of the damage.
The girdled trees were found in an area where villagers were relocated nearly four decades ago in the 1980s for the construction of Sondhur dam. On closer inspection using satellite images, it emerged that villagers have been returning to the area over the last two decades and have allegedly cleared over 30,000 trees in the protected forest for cultivation purposes. According to forest authorities, 55 people from the village received compensation from the Water Resources Department, yet encroachment has continued despite this.
However, many villagers disputed the forest department's account, claiming they never received compensation and therefore never permanently relocated. Forest officials noted that Karka forms part of an important forested landscape and wildlife movement corridor, including an elephant corridor. They warned that habitat degradation in this area can increase the potential for human-wildlife conflict. A Preliminary Offence Report was registered in 2016 when 22 hectares upstream was found encroached, but 20 persons booked in the case were acquitted.
