Baripada: In a significant step towards wildlife conservation and community engagement, a resident of Besarpani village under Saratchandrapur panchayat in Baripada Sadar police limits voluntarily surrendered a handmade firearm during a gun surrender drive conducted by the Similipal South Wildlife Division on Sunday.
The firearm was handed over to the Range Officer of Pithabata South Wildlife Range during a village-level awareness and surrender programme held in the presence of local ward member Daitari Bhakta.
According to officials, the individual pledged to completely abandon hunting practices and expressed commitment to support wildlife conservation efforts and reintegrate into the social mainstream. The surrender drive aimed to discourage illegal hunting and promote coexistence between forest-dependent communities and wildlife.
Around 55 villagers participated in the programme, along with staff from the Pithabata South Wildlife Range. Forest officials used the occasion to sensitise residents about the importance of protecting wildlife, legal implications of hunting, and the role of local communities in conserving the Similipal ecosystem.
Officials stated that such community-based initiatives are part of ongoing efforts to curb poaching and strengthen conservation measures in and around the Similipal South Wildlife Division.
