Bhubaneswar: The Tiger census to be conducted from October in two phases in Odisha, informed senior forest department official.
The census will continue for around one and half months in two phases via camera trapping and transact analysis.
As per the last Central census statistics, the number of tigers in the country has increased to 3,167 in 2022 from 2,967 in 2018.
In the year 2006, Odisha had 45 tigers. The number came down to 32 in 2010. The number further came down to 28 in 2018.
Bhubaneswar: A low pressure area has formed in the South Gangetic West Bengal basin area on the north Odisha side today and the associated cyclone has spread to 5.8 km of atmosphere.
As per the forecast issued by IMD, an orange warning for heavy rainfall has been issued in Odisha.
Weather Forecast And Warning
Day 2 (Valid from 0830 hrs IST of 29.07.2023 to 0830 hrs IST of 30.07.2023)
Yellow Warning: Heavy rainfall very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh.
Day 3 (Valid from 0830 hrs IST of 30.07.2023 to 0830 hrs IST of 31.07.2023)
Yellow Warning: Heavy rainfall very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Dhenkanal, Angul, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Deogarh, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sonepur, Boudh, Bolangir, Kandhamal.
Day 4 (Valid from 0830 hrs IST of 31.07.2023 to 0830 hrs IST of 01.08.2023)
Orange Warning: Heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Dhenkanal, Angul, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Bolangir, Kandhamal.
Bhubaneswar: The estimated tiger population in Odisha dropped to 20 from 28 according to Tiger Estimation Report released by Govt of India on International Tigers Day.
The Tiger Estimation Report was released today by GoI on the occasion of the “Global Tiger Day” at Corbett Tiger Reserve. It shows estimated number of tigers in Similipal Tiger Reserve to have increased to 16 from the previous estimated figure of 08 in 2018.
Efforts of frontline forest personnel and forest fringe villages of similipal deserve appreciation. In fact, on this occasion, Late Mathy Hansdah, Forester n Late Bimal Kr Jena, FG who laid their life protecting TR have been posthumously felicitated by NTCA together with Sri Himanshu Sethi, FG.
However, overall tiger estimated population is now 20 (ranging in between 17-24) from previous such figure of 28 (range then being 26-30). Aforesaid estimation is based on the field exercise done in 2021-22.
As ordered by CM Naveen during last review of the departmental works in May, 2023, we will be carrying out the estimation ourselves in the State commencing from Oct 2023. This exercise will provide the updated status of the tigers in the State.
Cuttack: A youth created high drama in the influence of alcohol in the middle of Mahanadi River in Banki area of Odisha’s Cuttack district.
The youth has been identified as Chandan Behera from Ramchandrapur village.
According to sources, Chandan went to the middle of Mahanadi River from Sunadei ghat at around 11 pm yesterday and had threatened to end his life. Two others from the village also went behind him. As the current of the river was high, the trio found it difficult to reach the river bank.
After receiving information, Odisha Fire Services Department team reached the spot and launched a rescue operation. he team safely rescued the old man, they had a tough time to spot the youth as he hid near some bushy areas for long time. However, he was subsequently rescued after an intense operation that lasted for nearly four hours. He was later sent to the hospital for treatment.
Bhubaneswar: The State Transport Authority (STA) in Odisha lately praised actor turned politician Sidhant Mahapatra for saving the life of an accident victim. The STA helmed Mohapatra as ‘source of inspiration’ for his noble deed as a Good Samaritan.
Taking to tweeter STA wrote, “Good Samaritans like Shri Sidhant Mohapatra are source of inspiration for all of us. Thank you for being a role model.”
“Do not hesitate. Your timely assistance during the #Goldenhour (first hour) of #roadaccident can save lives. Protection of a #GoodSamaritan is guaranteed by law,” the tweet by STA also said.
Reportedly, Sidhant Mohapatra, the Odia superstar was returning from Cuttack when he found a biker had been hit by a speeding vehicle. His health condition was critical. Mohapatra rushed to the scene and helped out the victim. He called the Ambulance and took the injured youth to a hospital for treatment. He also waited there till the youth’s family member reach the hospital. Later, the youth was shifted to AIIMS. Now the youth is reportedly out of danger.
Cuttack: Unable to bear girlfriend’s betrayal, a youth reportedly narrated his love story before committing suicide on Facebook live in Odisha’s Cuttack district today.
One Pratap Kumar Sahoo of Kokalaba village of the district was reportedly in a relationship with a girl. However, he was under severe depression for a couple of days as his girlfriend allegedly betrayed him
Unable to bear her betrayal, Pratap Kumar Sahoo posted recorded two videos and posted them on his Facebook page today before committing suicide on Facebook live.
In the videos, Pratap Kumar can be seen narrating his lover story and getting emotional. He could not control his emotions and subsequently committed suicide by hanging himself from a rope while he was live on Facebook.
Meanwhile, the local police is said to have initiated an investigation into the matter after reaching the spot of Pratap’s suicide.
Bhubaneswar: As the southwest monsoon has reached Odisha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall in different places of the state. The regional center of IMD has issued yellow warning for 19 districts of Odisha for today.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Cuttack, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj. Heavy rainfall very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Puri, Nayagarh, Angul, Kandhamal, Boudh, Sonepur, Sambalpur, Deogarh and Sundergarh.
The IMD has also said that heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to lash the state in the next four days between June 24 and June 27.
On June 25, orange warning has been issued at districts including Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Deogarh, Angul, Boudh, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Bargarh and Jharsuguda. On the other hand, yellow warning has been issued for Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Balangir, Nuapada and Nayagarh.
For June 26 and 27, heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at a few places over the districts of Angul, Sambalpur, Sonepur, Boudh, Bargarh, Balangir and Kalahandi. Heavy rainfall very likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Deogarh, Sundergarh, Jharsuguda, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangapur and Nuapada.
Nabarangpur: The Sub-collector of Nabarangpur district is under Odisha vigilance scanner for allegation of acquiring disproportionate assets.
In ongoing search at 9 locations of Prasanta Kumar Rout, Addl. Sub-Collector, the following movable and immovable assets worth Crores have been unearthed so far:
1) One double storeyed building measuring plinth area of total 1942 Sqft. Located at HIG-115, Kanan Vihar, Bhubaneswar
2) 5 plots including 4 in prime area of Cuttack & Bhubaneswar and 1 benami plot at Umarkote, Dist-Nabarangpur, which is under verification.
The measurement and valuation/assessment of the above building/plots is being carried out by Vigilance Technical Wing.
3) Total cash Rs.3,02,30,800/-was recovered from residence of Rout at Bhubaneswar and Nabarangpur.
Further, Rout seems to have made regular cash deposits in a number of benami bank accounts. Details of one such account opened in the name of an acquaintance in IndusInd Bank, Bhubaneswar has been collected where in Rs.21 lakhs cash deposits are suspected to have been made by Rout from 2019 onwards.
4) Bank & Insurance deposits over Rs.41 Lakhs.
5) 2 four wheelers (Innova & Maruti Swift) & 1 two wheeler (Honda Activa) worth approx Rs.37 Lakhs, out of which cost of Innova car (benami) Rs.29,50,163/- which is under verification.
6) Gold & silver jewelry and household articles worth over Rs.21.35 Lakhs.
Besides, Rout has spent approx Rs.87 Lakhs on Medical education of his daughter and educational expenditure of his son, details of which have been unearthed during searches.
Prasanta Kumar Rout entered into Govt. service as an OAS Officer on 01.07.1996. He worked as Tahasildar in Kendrapara, Jajpur, Balasore, Bargarh districts and BDO in Jajpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara and Sundargarh districts respectively. During his tenure as BDO, Bisra Block he was arrested on 06.11.2018 in a trap case for taking Rs. 1 lakh bribe. Then he was placed under suspension w.e.f-06.11.2018. On 18.01.2020, Sri Rout was posted as Addl. Sub-Collector, Nawarangpuur after his re-instatement and continuing there as such till date. Prasanta Kumar Rout, Addl. Sub-Collector, Nabarangpur is being examined to ascertain the source of the assets. Further searches are continuing.
Unearthing of more assets is likely and overall valuation is likely to increase. On the allegation of possession of assets disproportionate to the known sources of income, simultaneous house searches were launched on the properties of Prasanta Kumar Rout, Addl. Sub-Collector, Nawarangpur today i.e. 23.06.2023 at 9 places in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Nawarangpur i.e;
1) Residential double storeyed building located at HIG-115, Kanan Vihar, Bhubaneswar.
2) Residential house located at Nawarangpur.
3) House at native village Bahudarada, PS/Dist-Bhadrak.
4) Office chamber located at Nabarangpur.
This apart, searches were conducted at 5 other locations of acquaintances of Sri Rout, Addl. Sub-Collector, Nabarangpur. 9 teams of Odisha Vigilance comprising 2 Addl. SP, 7 DSPs, 8 Inspectors and other staff conducted the search on the strength of Search Warrants issued by the Hon’ble Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, Sundargarh.
Enquiry is in progress.
Nabarangpur: The Odisha vigilance has arrested the Additional sub-collector of Nabarangpur for possession of disproportionate assets worth Rs.5 cr. (da to the tune of 506%) of known sources of income. Following the arrest, the locals of Nabarangpur were seen burting firecrackers and distributed sweets celebrating the vigilance raids on district Additional Sub-Collector Prashant Kumar Rout.
“It felt like being liberated from the clutches of Ravana. Rout’s primary job was to swindle money. We are very happy that the Vigilance has raided his properties. We are celebrating it with firecrackers. We want this kind of action against any officer who indulges in corruption,” said a local.
Notably the vigilance has unearthed over Rs 3 crore cash and five plots including four in prime areas of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar and one ‘benami plot’ at Umarkote in Nabarangpur from the possession of Rout.
Cash worth Rs 3 crore was recovered from the residence of Rout at Bhubaneswar and Nabarangpur. Rout seems to have made regular cash deposits in a number of ‘benami bank accounts’.
Bank & Insurance deposits of over Rs 41 lakh, two four-wheelers (Toyota Innova & Maruti Swift) and one two-wheeler (Honda Activa) worth Rs 37 lakh, gold and silver jewelry and household articles worth over Rs 21.35 lakh were also recovered.
Besides, Rout has spent approximately Rs 87 lakh on medical education of his daughter and the educational expenditure of his son.
As per reports, Rout entered government service as an OAS officer on July 1, 1996. He worked as Tehsildar in Kendrapara, Jajpur, Balasore, Bargarh districts and as BDO in Jajpur, Cuttack, Kendrapara and Sundargarh districts respectively. During his tenure as BDO at Bisra Block, he was arrested on November 6, 2018 in a trap case for taking Rs 1 lakh bribe. He was placed under suspension and was reinstated on January 18, 2020 as the Additional Sub-Collector of Nabarangpur.
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated 13 academic buildings and 28 hostel buildings of Odisha Adarsa Vidyalaya Sanghatan (OAVS) today and also laid foundation for 276 hostel buildings of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas. In a special function organised at Lokseva Bhavan convention centre .
Addressing the gathering on this occasion Patnaik said that this magnificent infrastructure will pave way for development of quality education eco-system for our students.
Highlighting the objective of Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya he said that it was established with the idea to reach out and provide quality education in English medium to each deserving child preferably from rural area and to make Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas a role model for the country. Since its inception, Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya has been made operational in all 314 blocks of Odisha and one ICONIC OAV at Bhubaneswar to provide quality education to meritorious students, he added.
Emphasizing on Quality education he said it had been my Government’s priority all along. Our Vidyalayas are experiencing transformational changes under 5T initiative.
Odisha Adarsha Vidyalayas are dedicated to provide quality Education to talented rural & Semi urban students at block level in CBSE pattern. OAVS has brought a number of innovative measures to improve the system of education.
The Chief Minister also congratulated all the new entrants who are selected through OAV Entrance Test.
He also felicitated meritorious students of CBSE 10th and 12th standard including those qualified for NEET, JEE Advanced and other National level competitions. He expressed hope that, the constant effort of teachers, parents, school management and local community in general would transform OAVs to Centers of Excellence in coming days.
Among others minister school and mass education Sudam Mandry, Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena, Advisor OAVs Upendra tripathy also spoke on the occasion. School and Mass Education Department Secretary Aswathi gave the welcome address.