Bhubaneswar: Taking note of inclusion of Similipal Biosphere Reserve and its reserve forest in World Network of Biosphere Reserves, the state government has decided to scale up livelihood projects to provide alternative livelihood for the people living inside the bio-sphere to lessen their dependency on forest resources. Presiding over a review meeting on Similipal Biosphere Reserve Management Council at the State Secretariat here on Tuesday, chief secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik directed the forest and environment department to conduct a comprehensive survey for the purpose. He also asked the officials of the F&E and SC & ST Departments to prepare integrated action plan for providing alternative skills and vocations to the people living inside core areas of the Similipal forest. The chief secretary also stressed on imparting new skills to the young people, and provide alternative vocations to elderly people to reduce their dependence on forest. The meeting also focused on imparting education to all the children of the villages. As such, residential schools will be opened soon. Patnaik advised the department to intensify awareness activities to check the dangerous traditions like Akhanda Sikara and sensitise people about the utility of forest and wildlife for human life. The meeting decided to involve local NGOs and community leaders for generating mass awareness. The chief secretary advised the department to identify different developmental and livelihood needs of the people and access funds from concerned departments and agencies for implementation of those works. The Council reviewed the action plan for 2011-12 and finalised the Action Plan for Similipal Biosphere management for the year 2012-13. Departmental sources reveal that Rs 65 lakh has been allocated for the year 2011-12, the Annual Action Plan has been estimated at Rs 2.41 crore for the year 2012-13. The meeting also revealed that Similipal has been included in this world network for its activities relating to conservation of biological diversity, promotion of research and monitoring and providing models of sustainable development. This has facilitated cooperation and exchanges at regional and international levels. Similipal stands eighth of the 18 bio-spheres of the country. It is spread across over 5569 Sq. km. with Core Zone of 1194.75 Sq.km, 1335.66 sq.km of Buffer Zone, and 3038.39 sq.km of Transitional zone. There are 1265 villages spared over different areas of the bio-sphere with population of about five lakh. Similipal is largest Sal bearing forest. It is a Tiger Reserve, a Sanctuary, a Biosphere Reserve and a proposed National Park. Its landscape has 1076 plant species with 94 species of orchids. There are 55 species of mammals, 304 species of birds 62 species of reptiles, 20 species of amphibians and many species of micro-fauna, the review revealed. Among others, Principal Secretary F&E R K Sharma, PCCF P N Padhee, PCCF Wild Life J D Sharma, representatives from Union Ministry of Environment & Forest, SP and ADM of Mayurbhjanj district and other senior officers were present at the meeting.