City

Endangered Blackbuck Number Doubled In 6 Years In Odisha’s Ganjam

By
OB Bureau

Berhampur: The blackbuck, Considered the most elegant species of the antelope family, is on the list of endangered animals, but in Odisha’s Ganjam district its number has almost doubled in the last six years.

According to reports, there has not been a single case of blackbuck poaching for the past few years thanks to the protection given to them by locals at Balipadara-Bhetnani area near Aska.

Like the Bishnoi tribe community in Rajasthan, the people of Ganjam have been protecting the blackbucks as they consider that seeing one is harbinger of prosperity for them.

The number of blackbucks, locally called Krushnasara Murga or Kala Bahutia, has increased from 3806 in 2015 to 7358 in 2021. In 2011 their population in the area was 2194, Rout said. The southern Odisha district is in fact the only habitat of the mamal at present in the state and one can see hordes of blackbacks roaming freely in the area. This is in sharp contrast to the situation in Balukhand-Konark wildlife sanctuary in Puri district where blackbucks, which were seen till 2012-13 is not seen any more.

Blackbuck is included in the Schedule-1 of the Wildlife(Protection) Act-1972 and is listed as near threatened in IUCN Red list category.

Improvement of habitat, protection by the local people and forest staff are the reasons for the increase in the number of blackbucks in Ganjam, divisional forest officer of Ghumsar South in Ganjam district, D K Rout was quoted by PTI as saying

Some blackbucks have died in accidents while moving across roads, fighting among themselves and dog bites. “But not a single poaching case was reported in the last some years”, he said.

Since 2019-20 a total 48 blackbucks had died in the area and of them 18 due to the road mishaps, Rout added.

The Committee along with the forest workers is involved in creating awareness among the people to protect the species, Upadhyay added.

The DFO said meadow development programmes for increasing food, water and safety of the animal was taken up in the area under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) scheme. Salt licks and water holes have also been created.

Besides a watch tower, a rescue-cum-treatment centre have been set up in the area to treat injured blackbucks.

With accidents during crossing roads becoming the major reason for the death of blackbucks in Ganjam, speed breakers and road humps have been created in vulnerable areas. Signages advising vehicle drivers to reduce their speed limits in blackbuck habitats have also been put up.

 

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

IPL Auction: KKR Break Bank For Venkatesh On Lucrative Day For Indian Players; Check Top Buys

Mumbai: The first day of the IPL mega player auction at Jeddah threw up several…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Hands Over Case Of Attack On Dharmasala MLA To Crime Branch

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has handed over the investigation into the attack on Dhramasala MLA…

November 24, 2024

Commissionerate Police Issues Traffic Advisory During Winter Session Of Odisha Assembly; Details Here

Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate of Police on Sunday issued an advisory for movement of vehicular traffic…

November 24, 2024

Elon Musk Proposal: Fire US Federal Employees Who Want To Work From Home

New York: Now that President-elect Donald Trump has tasked Elon Musk with the responsibility of co-heading…

November 24, 2024

Odisha Govt Warns Of Stern Action For Renting Out Its Quarters

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has warned its employees of stern action for sub-letting their allotted…

November 24, 2024

AR Rahman Best Man In The World, Certifies Saira Banu; Then Why Their Separation?

Mumbai: There has been a lot of talk over AR Rahman and his wife Saira…

November 24, 2024

Process On To Form NODC In 2-3 Months, Says Odisha CM Mohan Majhi

Sundargarh: The North Odisha Development Council (NODC) would be formed in 2-3 months, said Chief…

November 24, 2024

Odisha DGP Reviews Security Arrangements For President’s Visit To Puri

Puri: Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania on Sunday reviewed the security arrangements for…

November 24, 2024