The Odisha forest department has decided to engage locals residing near Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Angul district with big cat conservation plan. They will be taken to a study tour to Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and other parts of the country to know how locals there are co-habiting with the wild animals.

The state government took the decision after locals fiercely opposed the relocation of Sundari and Mahaveer in the Satkosia forest from Madhya Pradesh. Even the area had witnessed serious law and order problem when Sundari allegedly killed two persons.

Sundari has since been brought back to the enclosure following public outcry. The tigress was brought from Bandhavgarh on June 28 and was lodged in an enclosure at Raigoda till August 17 when she was freed in the wild. She had killed a woman on September 12 and again an elderly man on October 21. As the locals agitated, the officials trapped her and put her back in the enclosure on November 6.

The other tiger Mahaveer’s carcass was found on November 15. It had been brought from Kanha in Madhya Pradesh in July.

Reacting to the government’s decision, a local said: “Prior to the relocation of the tigers, government should have consulted us. It is good that they have decided to take us on a study tour to the other parts of the country to know how men and animals live without any major conflict.”

Chief wildlife warden Sandeep Tripathy said: “We will educate the people how to live peacefully. Even they can earn their livelihood. There are many ways a sanctuary can attract tourists and from it the locals can benefit.”

The plans were also discussed at a three-day workshop that began on Wednesday to check rising wildlife crime. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau had organised the workshop. It was also discussed that the ongoing translocation of animals would continue, but attempts would be made to win over the locals.

It was also decided that steps would be taken to curb the trading of animal skins and their body parts.