Berhampur: The population of blackbuck, an endangered species locally known as Krushnasara Murga or Baliharina, has increased from 1672 in 2008 to 2181 in 2011 in Ganjam district. The blackbuck census was conducted by the forest department in Aska, Buguda, Polasara, Khallikote and Berhampur forest ranges, the abode of the endangered species of antelope in Ganjam district on Sunday. Around 200 persons including forest personnel, volunteers and experts took part in the five-hour-long enumeration, which concluded at noon. Out of the total number of blackbuck counted this time, 1414 were female, 544 male and 223 young, divisional forest officer (Ghumusara South) R Ch Sethi said. In the 2008 census 411 males, 1123 females and 138 young animals were found. Improvement of habitats and protection by local people as well as forest staff are some of the reasons for the increase of the population of the blackbuck in the area, the DFO said. The population of blackbuck in the area was 523 in 1973. Their number was increased to 551 in 1998, 786 in 2004 and 1101 in 2006, sources said. Sources said, most of the blackbucks were sighted in the Balipadara-Bhetanai area, in around 70 villages of Buguda, Aska and Polasara forest ranges in the district. While in Aska range their number was 706, Buguda has 700, Khallikote 644, Polasara 127 and Berhampur has 4 blackbucks, sources said. The blackbucks of Balipadara-Bhetanai area have been protected religiously by the local people for several generations. The strong belief that the presence of blackbuck in the paddy fields brings prosperity to the village is the reason for villagers protecting the species. "The villagers do not kill the animal, even if it strays into the field and damage their crop", said the president of the blackbuck protection committee in Ganjam, Amulya Upadhyaya. Due to this beilef among the villagers, poaching of blackbuck was almost nil in the area, Upadhyaya said.
Source: Times of India
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