1st January 2025: Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Nuapada district of Odisha, is home to diverse wildlife and rich biodiversity. The sanctuary spans over 600 square kilometers and is a vital ecosystem for several species, including the endangered white-backed vulture. Despite its ecological significance, the sanctuary’s surrounding communities, especially in 52 villages within three panchayats—Sunabeda, Soseg, and Michhapali—face significant hardships due to a lack of infrastructure and government support.
Residents of villages like Koked, Gambharipani, and Jogimunda, primarily from the Paharia and other tribal communities, struggle with basic amenities such as roads, electricity, clean water, and education. Additionally, many lack vital documents like Aadhaar and voter IDs, leaving them unable to access government schemes, including housing and pensions.
While some support reaches the Chuktia Bhunjia community in the area, the Paharia and other tribes continue to be excluded. The issue has been highlighted by Nuapada Collector Madhusudan Das, who visited the region recently and promised to address the pressing issues faced by these forest-dwelling communities.
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