Bhubaneswar: In a bid to raise awareness about conservation of Indian bison (also known as gaur or gayala in Odia), Hirakud Wildlife Division has recently organised Indian Bison Festival at Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, a first-of-its-kind in the state. The festival was held at Zeropoint in Debrigarh under the leadership of divisional forest officer (DFO) Anshu Pragyan Das. The main objective of the event was to promote conservation of Indian bison, which play a crucial role as ‘ecological engineers’ in Debrigarh-Hirakud landscape. “Indian bison are one of the four mega herbivores in India, and the festival was aimed at raising awareness about their role and the need for their protection,” said Das.
During a bison census conducted in November 2024, it was revealed that Debrigarh is home to 669 Indian bison, with 30 per cent being juveniles. While the sanctuary can support a larger population, careful management is essential to maintain the correct sex ratio and ensure the health of the ecosystem. Effective habitat management, monitoring of ecological indicators, and continued protection are key to successful wildlife management in the area. The presence of more bison calves in this summer, compared to last year’s winter, is a positive sign for the species’ recovery.
However, their protection has remained a challenge. “Juveniles make the herds more predictable, which can be a risk, particularly as leopards are the primary predators in the landscape,” said Sahu, adding that the event highlighted the importance of ongoing conservation efforts, with support from local communities, who play a pivotal role in protecting and managing the sanctuary.
During the unique festival, discussions were also held on ecology, behaviour, habitat, and habits of Indian bison, followed by a field visit for participants to observe these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. This hands-on approach helped increase support for the protection and conservation of the species. The DFO emphasised that Debrigarh is the only place in Odisha where people can directly engage with and learn about the ecology of these mega fauna. The stable and healthy population of Indian bison in the sanctuary showcases the success of conservation efforts in the region.
