Puri, Oct 4: The Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary in Puri district, which once boasted of scores of black bucks, has lost its identity nowadays. It is very difficult to spot even a single blackbuck in the same sanctuary now.
The 2017 census revealed that there was not a single blackbuck in the sanctuary. Later, a survey was also held on behalf of the state government. The survey findings said that all the blackbucks have died due to natural calamities and human ambitions. Construction of various projects near the sanctuary and regular accidents were some major reasons for the fall in blackbuck numbers in Balukhand sanctuary. The other reasons were the loss of green cover, the dearth of grasses and bushes, and dog attacks.
If the blackbuck number is to be raised in the sanctuary, then the government has to pay serious attention to these aspects. Of course, there were some efforts. In 2018, the state forest department prepared a plan to bring blackbucks from the Balipadara locality in the Ganjam district to the Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary.
However, the plan could not be implemented as planned. Because 'Cyclone Fani’ claimed the lives of many animals, lakhs of trees were lost. After Fani, Corona pandemic put a break on the desired action plan.
“A few years ago, many blackbucks were seen here. No doubt, it is hard to find even a single blackbuck nowadays. Another attraction of Balukhand sanctuary ‘Chitra deer’ is presently seen more than before, said Brundaban Swain, member of a local eco-development committee.
“Plans are being drawn up to relocate some blackbucks into the sanctuary. At present, no action plan has been prepared. It may be carried out in the future. According to the 2017 census, there was not a single blackbuck available in the sanctuary. During the census in 2011, there were 34 blackbucks in Balukhand sanctuary. Since then, their numbers have gradually decreased for several reasons”, said Puri DFO Ramaswami.
