Saviours of blackbucks & Olive Ridleys in Ganjam get UN boost

BERHAMPUR: The protection of the endangered blackbuck and Olive Ridley turtles with the help of locals got a boost with the Centre-sponsored United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) being launched in Ganjam district. A workshop was held to mark the inception of the project that has been launched on a pilot basis in the state. A similar project will also be taken up in Madhya Pradesh. The state will get around Rs 50 lakh this year for improvement of the habitat of the animals and development of the infrastructure in the surrounding villages under the project. Earlier, the state government had submitted a proposal for Rs 1 crore to the UNDP for implementation of the project in Ganjam, where the local people have been protecting the blackbucks and turtles for many years now. "The project will continue depending on its success," principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) P N Padhy said. "Since locals are actively involved in the protection of animals, the UNDP has selected the locations in Orissa and Madhya Pradesh to implement the project as a pilot basis," programme analyst, energy and environment unit of UNDP-India P Krishnan said.

Hoards of blackbucks freely roam the 64 sq km in the Balipadar-Vetanai area in Ganjam district with villagers protecting the animals despite destruction of crops by the animals. Similarly, local fishermen are involved in protecting turtles near the Rushikulya river mouth. According to the 2008 census, there are around 1,672 blackbucks. They include 411 male, 1123 female and 138 young blackbucks, chief conservator of forest (wildlife) S S Srivastav said. The people consider these animals as harbingers of good luck and avoid harming the animals. Similarly, local fishermen also help in protecting the Olive Ridleys when they visit the shore for mass nesting near Rushikulya mouth. Gokharakuda to Purunabandh area near the river mouth is one of the three mass nesting sites of Olive Ridleys off the Orissa coast. "These are exemplary examples of harmonious relationship between man and animals,' described a senior wildlife official. This is despite the fact that there is no legal protection for these animals in the area. "As the people thesmselves are involved in protecting the animals, we decided to implement the UNDP assist CBC project in these two areas," he said. Besides the improvement of habitats, it is also proposed to develop the eco-tourism facilities, training and awareness programmes in both the places. It was also proposed to construct a rehabilitation centre at Bhetanai near Aska to rescue the injured blackbucks.

Source: Times of India