No safety for wildlife during natural disaster

During the third week of July, there were heavy rains all over the State. The wildlife, especially the ground flora and fauna, was gravely affected during such stormy weather. The villages like Khalikot, Rambha, Ashika, Buguda, Balipadar of Ganjam district are very famous for growing Krushnasar or black buck.

In Balipadar area, the locals protect the wildlife of the zone with great deal of earnestness and zest. Not only black buck, but other species like peacocks are also protected from poaching and any kind of depredations.

Although the local Forest Department is known as the custodian of the flora and fauna of the Balipadar black buck sanctuary, but for all practical purposes, the people of the area are the true managers of the sanctuary. No poaching of black buck or any kind of fauna and avifauna is seen in the protected zone. If any unlawful activities are detected, the matter is dealt with by the local body with cooperation of local Forest Department. The village communities are the protectors of forest resources.

But there is no provision to ward off disastrous situations of nature. Generally, the disastrous situations are seen in the shape of cyclone, rain, flood, fire and drought. So, the local Forest Department should take note of the point and devise ways and means to protect the wildlife in such an eventuality.

During the incessant rain from July 19 to 25, at least 30 black bucks were found swept away from their habitats by the flood water of Kharakhari Nala of the locality. The Kharakhari Nala is a steep hill stream, which acts as a tributary of the Rushikulya river. However, showing great courage, the local people could save the antelopes from the flood water from sure death.

To meet such kind of disastrous situations, the Forest Department should maintain disaster rescue team. The Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) should be maintained by the State Forest Department for facing situations like forest fire, cyclone and flood etc. Not only black buck, there are huge numbers of land animals, ground birds, rodents, reptiles which are affected by such types of calamites. So timely rescue operations through ODRAF should be taken.

The buck implies to a male deer. The female is rarely found with horn. The female looks slight brownish in colour. Black bucks generally prefer coastal plains and avoid hilly tracts. They live in herds of 20 to 30 in number. The antelope is found in Konark-Puri sea coast as well. They entirely depend on salty grasses and herbs. At present, the population of black bucks in Puri-Konark coast is on the wane as the area is getting highly urbanized and the natural habitat is degrading due to population pressure. Besides black bucks, there are also deer and chital in the sanctuary. The Forest Department alone cannot provide adequate protections to the ecological system. Community management of the sanctuary is needed the most.

As it is understood, the State Forest Department is going to introduce few black bucks in Ashka- Khalakot region of Ganjam in Konark- Puri Balukhanda sanctuary to reduce the population in Buguda- Ashika areas. This is a very nice idea, but it must be ensured that the community is involved in the protection of the sanctuary.

Every sanctuary, national park, tiger project and rich heritage should get the eco-tourism status and be community managed.  There should be “watch towers” at every important location to provide accommodations and have a view of the picturesque scenery. And whatever revenue earned should be spent for the welfare of the community.

In Balipadar, although the black bucks damage the crops of the people, the village communities do not harm the animals. If we consider the case of Balukhand sanctuary, pollution is a problem there. Given the flow of tourists and the urbanizations, the pollution of sanctuary is so heavy that, the local fauna are paying the price. The pollution of polythene is another worry which prevents the growth of natural flora.

Similarly, both the habitats of black bucks at Puri-Konark Balukhanda and Khalikot –Ashika areas should be potentially improved.

The plantations of salty grasses should be artificially raised in the meadows. Fruits bearing trees like Jamun, Ber (Prakali), mango, Char, Harida, Bahada, Aila etc. should be raised. Artificial salt leaks as well as the water holes should be created within the sanctuaries for use of the bucks and deer. During flood, rain, drought, cyclone and other such disastrous situations, the animals should be artificially fed. During breeding period of the herbivores and carnivores, the sanctuaries should be declared closed for visiting by the tourists.

A well-grown buck becomes about 80 cm in height and its average weight is about 40kg. The length of the horns seldom exceeds 50 cm in southern States, but in case of northern States, the length of horn may reach 65 cm or more. The horns are solid and spiral.

(The writer is a former forest officer and environmentalist.nadiya.kanungo@gmail.com,M-9937460649)