Flourishing in safe haven

IT IS one of the most beautiful and graceful antelopes in the subcontinent, which has enjoyed a protected status for several centuries. But due to habitat destruction, its population has come down drastically and it has been declared an endangered species.

The Blackbuck is a picture of grace as it moves, and Chennai is a safe haven for this species.

The Forest officials in the city were doubly happy, therefore, when the census conducted in the Guindy National Park (GNP), IIT campus and Raj Bhavan area on Sunday showed a remarkable increase in the population of this endangered species.

A few years ago their population ranged between 200 and 250 and the increase in numbers was very slow compared with the spotted deer, the other species found in the same area.

Available data shows that the population of Blackbuck stood at 170 during 1998, while the next year it rose to 200. Last year when the census was conducted the officials recorded the population at 350 and during the current year census it has been put at 650.

The Blackbuck are a happy lot, as their habitat has been improved, stray dogs in the Guindy National Park driven away, plenty of food - tamarind, palmyra nuts, mango, vilambazham and seethapazham - is available inside, say the authorities.

Under habitat improvement, the officials removed the thorny bushes from the polo ground and scraped them. This was followed by a drive to remove the stray dog population which attacked the deer there. While the spotted deer can hide in the bush easily, escaping the eyes of the stray canine, this is not so easy for the Blackbuck. They are susceptible to stray dog attacks, which was also one of the reasons for the slow growth of its population, say the authorities.

Yet another aspect was, the Blackbucks in the area are not threatened by predators as their cousins are in the wild. This is also one of the reasons for the increase in the population of the Blackbuck, says Mr. K.S.S.V.P. Reddy, Wildlife Warden, Chennai.

A few years ago outsiders from Velacheri side of the GNP used to enter the Park to collect tamarind and other fruits. This has been totally stopped and it resulted in the availability of plenty of feed for the antelopes, says he. ``Apart from these factors, we also have deepened the tanks inside the GNP for the benefit of the deer species, which also helps in improving water facilities for the wildlife,'' adds Mr. Reddy.

Yet another glad news was the sighting of about 80 Blackbuck fawn. ``In the last five years we have not sighted so many young ones during census,'' says Mr. G. Kamaraj, Biologist. Similarly sighting the species other than in the polo ground is difficult. But during the current census, the enumerators saw the antelope in various places, he says. Apart from this population another group which conducted the census in IIT campus have sighted 15 of them in the area, he adds.

Some of the participants in the census said the Blackbuck were found to be healthy and active. This has also given a moral boost for the Forest officials.

It is heartening that while the Forest officials were not able to improve the forest cover to protect the wildlife, at least they are able to do so in a small patch of forest located in the heart of the city, say nature lovers.

By P. Oppili

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Section  : Southern States
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