Berhampur: Scarcity of water forced a Sambar to come out of the forest to quench thirst. It was spotted at the official residence of the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Gosani in Odisha’s Gajapati district.
Forest department officials rescued the Sambar and safely sent it back to its natural habitat after BDO Goura Chandra Patnnaik, also a nature lover, informed the officials.
The BDO has made several water pots in the garden of his official residence to facilitate the thirsty birds. Hundreds of parrots, Asian Open Bills, pelicans are being sighted in the area. I have made special arrangements for the birds in my official residence campus to quench their thirst”, BDO Gosani said.
Meanwhile Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Paralakhemundi Amit Subhrajit said that many deer, sambar and other wild animals have made their habitats in the local forest area. “The ‘Sagars’ or the large water bodies constructed by the Maharaja of Paralakhemundi centuries ago have helped the wild animals to make their habitats in the nearby forests. The Forest Department has also erected a Watch Tower to have surveillance on them”.
Spotting a Sambar inside the BDO Gosani official residence is definitely a challenge for the Forest Department, environmentalists have opined.
The Sambar who returned to its habitat safely is expected to have its origin from the forest developed under Conservation of RET (Rare, Endangered, and Threatened) species in CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) wildlife conservation efforts which include critical support to conservation of endangered species detailed in the APO (Annual Plan of Operation) by the Odisha State Forest Department, under the Garabandha Beat II Range Mohendra in Paralakhemundi Division. It was established by the Odisha State Forest Department, which aimed to conserve, protect, regenerate, and manage existing natural forests, wildlife, and their habitats.
This forest is near the official residence of the BDO Gosani, sources said.
However, the incident has cautioned the Forest Department to dig water pits or artificial ponds in the forest area to ensure water to animals and to quench their thirst. Wild animals must get access to drinking water 24×7 this summer.
