Post News Network
Berhampur, March 26: Even as the temperature keeps on soaring with every passing day, plight of animals in the deer park at Bhanja Vihar, is growing in the absence of a summer shelter for them.
Most of the huge trees in the park were uprooted during cyclonic storm Phailin with the result that deer in the park are suffering under scorching sun. A polythene sheet is the only cover to protect them from sunlight.
Authorities are hardly concerned to provide them food, space and healthcare, alleged animal lovers. They demanded that the authorities take measures to provide a proper habitat for animals. It may be mentioned that the deer park was started in 1989 by the efforts of then-administrative authority of the university MY Rao. The park is under the Department of Zoology (PG Council) of the varsity.
At the beginning, `20,000 was spent and a male and female deer were housed in the park. At present, there are 60 deer in the park that spans over 2.8 hectares. According to authorities, `4.08 lakh is spent towards providing food to these animals per annum.
Sources in the Zoology department said the Central Zoo Authorities (CZA) in 2012 had accorded a mini zoo status to the park. However, the status was withdrawn the same year as it did not conform to the guidelines. As it is not possible for the university authorities to bear the expenses of the animals and ensure their safety and proper living, the CZA advised the department to relocate the animals to a safer place.
The university wrote a letter to the state forest department and Nandankanan zoo to relocate the animals.
But neither the forest department nor the zoo authorities took any measure to arrange relocation of the animals or to provide them a proper habitat. They did not even reply to the letter.
According to animal lovers, deer should be given glucose water to shield them from dehydration. That apart, water should be sprinkled on them at regular intervals to keep their body cool. Vegetables and fruits with high water content like cucumber, cabbage and water melons should be given to help them fight the heat.
But, none of these is given to them. The deer are even deprived of green leaves and grass.
Let alone visitors, the park is even inaccessible to students, lecturers and staff of the university. When contacted, Zoology HoD Prasanna Kumar Dikshit said a number of letters were written to the forest department and the Nandankanan authorities to hand over the animals to them. But no answer was given till date.
