Odisha urges Centre to set up second campus of IIFM

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has urged the Centre to establish the second campus of Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) in the state.

Citing the state’s robust forest resources and long-standing commitment to sustainable forestry and wildlife conservation, chief secretary Manoj Ahuja has requested the Union secretary of Forest, Environment and Climate Change for establishment of the second campus of IIFM in Mayurbhanj district.

Odisha has a forest area of 61,204.17 sq km which is 39.31 per cent (pc) of the total geographical area. The state has 19 wildlife sanctuaries, two national parks, three elephant reserves, two tiger reserves and one proposed tiger reserve.