Berhampur : Odisha’s forest department is conducting the biennial head count of blackbucks in Ganjam district, the only habitat for the majestic animal in the state, on Sunday.
According to sources, over 500 persons in around 100 units were engaged to count the endangered species across three forest divisions – Berhampur, Ghumusar South and North.
Experts have provided training to enumerators on counting methods of the blackbuck. The counting process commenced in the morning.
The blackbuck is a Schedule-1 animal as per Wildlife (Protection) Act-1972 (amended in 1992) and is considered as vulnerable according to the Red Data Book.
The last time the blackbuck count was held was in 2021. The population of the animal in the district then stood at 7,358.
Apart from the Bishnoi community of western Rajasthan and the Vala Rajputs of Saurashtra, the people of Ganjam, especially Balipadar-Bhetanai areas, near Aska, have been enthusiastically protecting blackbucks which are associated with their history, folklore and religious sentiments, former chief conservator of forest (wildlife) SS Srivastav was quoted by PTI as saying.
The people of the region believe the sighting of the blackbuck in the paddy field is harbinger of good luck for them, according to president of the Blackbuck Protection Committee (Ganjam) Amulya Upadhyaya.
The villagers never harm blackbucks. Though the area was not protected by the government, the animals freely roam as they are protected by the villagers. This has resulted in the animal’s population increasing in the district.
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