06-bioresourcesstatu.. - M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

I. Introduction
Bhitarkanika
In 1994, a local paper in Orissa reported an
agitation against large and intensive aquaculture
farms in ecologically sensitive areas. This
movement and many others in the country lead to
the recognition of a classification of different
management zones in coastal areas which is
widely known as the Coastal Regulation Zone Act.
In 2001 a local paper wrotE1 an article on the
clashes between the fishermen and the local
authorities over fishing rights. This highlights the
conflicts in management of bio-resources as a
result of a shrinking resource base that try to meet
the legitimate demands of the human resources to
a right to basic decent life. Such instances are
prevalent everywhere but acquire more
significance in areas of greater biodiversity and
whose bio-resource~ are protected by law. The
challenge today is to find processes and products
that will meet the needs of the local population
without over exploiting or depleting the resources.
The study describes the socio-cultural conditions
of the Bhitarkanika area of coastal Orissa and
defines the various wild and domesticated bioresources
used by the people. Recently it has been
declared as a Ramsar Site.
The study is a result of a desk top reading of
earlier reports and published materials about the
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Bhitarkanika
- Hemal Kanvinde
site and a field visit and interviews with a few
people related to resource management, such as
the Marine Fisheries Officer, District Agriculture
Officer, The Assistant Conservator of Forests and
the Chief Conservator of Forests, (Wildlife), Orissa,
researchers and scientists from various institutes
and speaking informally to the residents of
Bhitarkanika. The report also highlights gender
dimensions of resource use that will provide
important inputs in managing the resource in
future plans.
II. Site Description
i. Location
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the
east coast of India, in the State of Orissa (20° 30'
and 20° 50' Nand 86° 30' and 87°06'E) covering an
area of 672.00sq.km. The sanctuary is bounded by
Dhamara river to the north, Maipura river to the
south, having a stretch of 35 km. of seacoast, the
Bay of Bengal to the east and the Brahmani river
to the west. The sanctuary falls in the Rajnagar
Block of Kendrapara District of Orissa. This
district was established in 1993, by the division of
Cuttack district.
Situated near the former port Chandbali, which is
about 50 km, from Bhadrak Railway station of
Orissa. It is also approachable from Gupti situated
at a distance of' 25 km. from Rajnagar, the