Bhubaneswar: The Forest Department has planned to relocate a few blackbucks from Ganjam district to Chandaka sanctuary near the Capital city and Balukhand sanctuary in Puri district.
The move is directed to conserve the species which is in a decline and avoid concentration of its population in an area which could create problems later.
It may be worth mentioning here that Balipadar-Bhetnai area of Ganjam district and Balukhand sanctuary near Puri city are well-known for blackbucks.
However, sources said the Forest department officials have been unable to spot any blackbuck at Balukhand since many years.
According to the department data, the population of the rare species has seen an impressive growth in Balipadar-Bhetnai area with a recent survey estimating altogether 4,082 blackbucks in the locality. “Yes, the numbers reflect the reality. In 2010, the blackbuck population here in Balipadar-Bhetnai area was 2,181 which shot up to 3,806 in 2014,” said a source in the Forest department.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Sandeep Tripathy stated that the rising population of the species in Ganjam can be a problematic issue in the near future.
“In a bid to avoid any untoward situation in the future, the Forest Department has planned to relocate a few blackbucks from Ganjam Balipadar to Chandaka and Balukhand sanctuaries,” he said.
“Not only would it help us to manage the rare species properly but also would help preserving it,” he added.
Notably, musk, a natural perfume, is produced from blackbuck which is why the animal is a favourite of the poachers.
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