As Odisha takes steps to recover from Fani devastation, the National Tiger Reserve Conservation Authority (NTCA) has decided to take stock of damages caused to the two tiger reserves in the State by the nature’s fury. Similipal in Mayurbhanj and Satkosia in Angul district are two notified tiger reserves in the State.

Member Secretary of NTCA Anup Kumar Nayak on Sunday said it would seek a status report on damage to the two tiger reserves from the State Forest Department shortly.

There are four more new areas in the State where royal Bengal tigers have been sighted in the past.

The status of these new locations and prey base will also be assessed by the top tiger conservation body under the Union Environment Ministry.

“Currently, the State is grappling in providing basic amenities to the people. As is the procedure we are seeking report from the State Forest officials to give their assessment on the damages, if any, that the Fani has caused to the wildlife in the two tiger habitats,” said Nayak.

At present, the State Government is focusing on increasing the tiger population in Satkosia reserve. As part of its strategy, six tigers (three pairs) were to be brought from Madhya Pradesh. Two felines were released in Satkosia, but resistance from local population in buffer villages has delayed the transportation and release of the other tigers. Moreover, one of the two tigers that was released late last year got killed by poachers. The official count as per the 2014 census is 40 tigers in Odisha as per the State Government.

However, the cyclone is understood to have caused damage to the habitats as well as the felines. Now, because of Fani, the ongoing census by the NTCA, Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Odisha Forest Department has also been put on hold.

The NTCA will also seek report on Sunabeda wildlife sanctuary in Nuapada district and Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary in Bargarh district of Odisha which are proposed to be accorded tiger reserve status in view of sighting of big cats in the region.