Odisha: Water pits filled for blackbucks

BHUBANESWAR: Forest personnel in Ganjam district have started filling up the water bodies and saucer pits in the blackbuck habitats to quench the thirst of animals.
Ganjam is the only district, where the blackbucks, a Schedule I animal are sighted and their number stood at 7,745 in the latest count held in February.
A number of saucer pits have been erected in the blackbuck areas in Aska, Buguda and Polasara forest ranges under Ghumusar south division. As the natural water bodies and saucer pits dry up in summer, blackbucks, face difficulty in getting water to drink.
The animals often venture into the villages in search of water and are targeted by stray dogs, said Amulya Upadhaya, president, Ganjam district blackbuck protection committee.