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Space crunch affects Taptapani deer park

Berhampur: The Taptapani deer park might lose its mini zoo status (MZS) because it is yet to better its infrastructure, including expanding its area. The Central Zoo Authority of India (CZAI) has accorded the mini zoo status to the deer park in 2009 after the DFO of Paralakhemundi gave an undertaking to increase the space for free movement of animals. But three years have lapsed since then and the required area is yet to be acquired. The park sprawls over 1.86 hectares where 136 different deer species live. It includes 116 spotted deer, 16 sambars and a barking deer. Though the park started with a few deer in 1980, there number is steadily increasing. The forest department wanted an additional 8.4 hectares of land to accommodate the animals and develop it as an eco-tourism centre. At present, the animals have to move about in less than one hectare because a portion of the park is meant for visitors. Also, the space crunch has given rise to infighting among the deer. Three have died in recent times. "We have sought land in the adjoining areas of the existing park to make it an eco-tourism spot," said Jitsatru Mohanty, the DFO of Paralakhemundi. He said the application for the land alienation was pending with the Ganjam administration. He said the administration should give us the land at the earliest because CZAI officials are going to visit the park soon. "Once the MZS status is withdrawn, we won't be able to house the huge zoo population in the park," Mohanty added. Ganjam collector Krishan Kumar said the administration was aware of the fact. "We are pursuing the matter with the government for early hand over of the land," he added. At present, the forest department is planning an alternative. "The deer park is overcrowded. We have planned to accommodate them by creating at least four enclosures and feeding chambers," the DFO said. (Source: Times of India)

Blackbucks of Ganjam migrating to newer areas in Odisha

Blackbucks, an endangered species found in Balipadar-Bhetanai area in Ganjam district of Odisha, seem to be migrating to newer areas, official sources said. At least two blackbucks were rescued by the villagers from various places in the district. One of them was found at Balipada near Berhampur, while another at Babanapur near Aska. “We have rescued a male blackbuck from Balipadar near here. The animal will be handed over to the Nandankanan zoo authority in Bhubaneswar,” said divisional forest officer, Berhampur SS Mishra. The blackbuck also reportedly migrated towards Jagannath Prasad and Belaguntha areas in search of food and water as some of the water bodies in their habitat have dried up, sources said. “When the blackbucks migrate to other areas they may be easy target to the poachers. They also meet with accidents on the roads”, the wildlife experts feared claiming at least five blackbucks had reportedly died in a fortnight. Officials, however, said only two died. “We have information about the migration of the blackbuck. But we have no information about their death due to scarcity of water,” said divisional forest officer, Ghumusar South R Ch Sethi. He said there were several ponds in their areas.”Though the water level receded, ponds have not dried up. The animals are using them,” added another officer at Aska. Increase in population might be one of the causes for migration of blackbucks to newer areas, said an expert. The population of blackbuck in the area was counted at 2181 in the last census conducted in July 2011. The population of blackbuck was estimated at 1672 in 2008. Their number was 551 in 1998, 786 in 2004, 1101 in 2006, sources said. Improvement of habitats, protection given by local people as well as forest staff was some of the reasons for increase of the population of the blackbuck in the area, forest officials attributed. The blackbucks have been protected religiously by the local people for several generations. They have strong belief the presence of blackbuck in the paddy fields brings prosperity to the village. “The villagers do not kill the animals even if they strays into the field,” said president, Blackbuck Protection Committee Amulya Upadhyaya. (Source: The Pioneer)

Source: The Sambad

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No space for ponds in bustling Berhampur

Berhampur: Aina Bandh Street, Canal Street, Hatibandha Street... Though the names smack of refreshing ponds and canals, today these are just myriad addresses in the concrete jungle of the bustling Berhampur town, with no sign of any wetlands in the vicinity. Unplanned growth of the town has eaten away its sundry water bodies, which once helped control the temperature of the town and satiated the drinking water needs of its people. "The size of ponds like Hatibandh was big enough for a herd of elephants to take bath in," recalls senior citizen Chitta Ranjan Das. Rows of concrete houses have now replaced the water body. Similarly, Berhampur Development Agency (BDA) filled up Tameya Bandha, one of the major ponds in the town, to construct a park, while Canal Street sits on a reclaimed canal, which meandered through the Gate Bazar area in the past. Retired engineer Ananta Bhola reminisces spending pleasant summers in the town when canals of Rushikulya river flowing through the town used to fill up the ponds and maintained the ground water level even during the driest season of the year. The system was perhaps designed by the then administrators to keep the town cool and to fulfill its water needs as Berhampur was not situated by any river bank. The canals have long since been filled up to fulfill other, seemingly more pressing needs of the town, leading to scorching summers, acute drinking water crisis and flash floods during monsoon, Bhola laments. The canal system was made in such a way that rainwater did not accumulate in any area. But today, due to the encroachment of the wetlands, the town gets was waterlogged with just a little rain. As many as 89 areas prone to water-logging have been identified in the town, sources said. Government records reveal there were over 70 water bodies in the town, which were in possession of the municipality, revenue department and a few under private parties. Some of them now exist only in paper, while others are filed with garbage. The remaining few are not suitable for use. The BMC authorities, however, said they have made an elaborate plan to reconstruct and renovate the water bodies under the central government's infrastructure development scheme for small and medium towns. "The central government has provided about Rs 8 crore under the scheme," BMC sources said. The total project cost is Rs 16 crore. While 26 ponds have been renovated under the scheme, another 16 ponds would be taken up very soon, sources added.

Source: Times of India

Demand for Mahurikalua Zoological Park gathering steam in Ganjam District

Environmental protection and conservation of rare species of animals and birds have gained currency across the country while attempts in this regard leave a lot to be desired in Orissa. Ganjam District and the southern region of Orissa are home to some unique species of animals and birds which are getting extinct over time. Be it the Black Bucks of Bhetanai, peacocks in Pakidi, Olive Ridley turtles found in Rushikulya River mouth, Dolphins of Chilika Lake, wild animals like bears, elephants and leopards of Koraput and Kandhamal etc., all face the danger of extinction, if better protection measures are not put in place. Wild and rare animals have importance from the tourism point of view as well. Ganjam district in particular is known for some popular tourist destinations like Gopalpur, Chilika lake, Taptapani, TaraTarini, Tampara, Sonepur, Rushikulya mouth etc. The tourism potential of this region can be harnessed better if an attractive zoological park is established near Berhampur city at Mahurikalua, on the lines of Nandankanan, feel many people in Ganjam District. MahuriKalua is an attractive destination in the Eastern-Ghat range with huge tracts of reserved forest and is home to some wild animals and even some tribal habitations as well. Located on the outskirts of Berhampur city, the place is well connected being on the Berhampur – Koraput State Highway and can well turn out to be a tourist attraction if converted into a zoo, feel these people. The local communities in Ganjam are known for protection of rare animals and this has been appreciated by organizations like the United Nations in the past. Therefore the zoo at Mahurikalua will be like a recognition of the efforts of these communities who have taken up such a noble cause for past may years, felt these people.  The establishment of a zoo at Mahurikalua near Berhampur city will be an added attraction for the tourists visiting the region and many organizations have demanded its immediate establishment.