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The rich flora and fauna are facing impending danger as the forest fire entered the core areas.
The forest fire situation across Odisha (/topic/odisha) including Similipal National Park is totally contained and controlled," a government release state.

Impact

• Several tribal communities around the periphery areas of Simlipal are worried as they rely on the forests to earn their living.
• The forest fires could affect the livelihood of several Scheduled Tribes of Mayurbhanj district such as the Kolha, Santal, Bhumija, Bhatudi, Gond and Ho
• The impact could be more drastic among three particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) known as the Lodha, Khadia and Mankidia, as they live in Simlipal’s forest fringe areas and largely depend on forest-based livelihood.
  
• The tribal population of Mayurbhanj is 58.7 per cent, the highest in the state.

Livelihood concerns

• As the fire continued to spread to newer areas while this reporter was in Simlipal, Budhia, Manguli, Sushil, Ashok and many of their community members were worried it might affect their harvesting of several minor forest produce that fuels their economy.
• From January to May, Lodha people collect barda saag (green leaves), mango, siali leaves, khajuri (date palm), mahua flowers, sal leaves, jhuna, tamarind and Tasar silk.
• Similarly, from June to July, they collect kendu (wild fruit), jackfruit, barda saag, mahua seeds, chahar (wild berries), sal seeds, jamukoli (wild berries), mahudantkathi, and kussum (wild berries).
• From August to December, they collect wild varities of mushrooms, kurkuti, pita kanda (tuber), karke kanda (tuber), jhuna, gooseberries, harada and bahada.

Source: DTE