The Hindu : Other States / Uttar Pradesh News : Rise in swamp deer density in Dudhwa

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Wednesday, Sep 29, 2004

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Rise in swamp deer density in Dudhwa

Dudhwa, U.P., Sept. 28. Even as the wildlife week is nearing to raise concern about the protection of the wildlife, a project undertaken by the Uttar Pradesh Forest department to conserve the declining population of swamp deer in the Dudhwa national park has started showing results.

The 680 sq km Dudhwa national park, located on the northern edge along the Indo-Nepal border in Lakhimpur Kheri district, is not only famous as the forest tiger reserve, but is also claimed to be the largest habitat of U.P.'s state animal, the swamp deer (commonly known as the barasingha).

State Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Kaushalendra Prasad told UNI here that the task to improve the population density of swamp deer began last year after the department observed a stark decline in their numbers in the park. He said, ``While earlier, the swamp deer were found in groups of 300-400, over the years their group density reduced. Last year, the maximum number of swamp deer sighted in Bankey taal in the park was eight. But after certain steps were initiated, this year their number was 39 during observations in April.''

The major cause of the steep decline in the deer population density was the diminishing of the major grasslands in the park on which these animals survive. This was again not due to any poaching or cutting of forests, but mostly due to ``overprotection'' of the park area because of which the small herbs and plants in grasslands grew into tall, and hard unpalatable grasses, the trees grew enormously and deer were unable to get their staple diet.

Thus the swamp deer started moving from the park in search of food. The department also made it clear that in the absence of grasslands the deer generally did not die but scattered to places where the soft grasses were available and thus their number in the form of concentrated groups in the park decreased.

Thereafter, the forest department got alert and a project was launched to manage grasslands in a scientific manner. For the purpose, major grasslands were selected for controlled burning of grass in early February. The grass that sprouted was soft, and juicy.

Besides Bankey taal, an increase in deer population was also noticed at the Kaimaha grass and in the park where the population was earlier between 40 and 60. However, after the management, the grassland played host to about 300 swamp deer as on April 24, this year.

Interestingly, the block also showed the presence of spotted deer, hog deer and wild boar on a regular basis.

Apart from these management practices, other activities such as restoration of grasslands in their original shape by removing the encroaching woody succession, tapping the seepage water and constructing water holes for water storage for the lean period. ``The prime objective is to provide these animals their basic needs like food, water and protective cover,'' Mr Prasad said.

The PCCF further said a meeting was held last month in context of writing to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for help in this regular management project by providing adequate funds.

Besides, the department is also raising concern about the floods occurring in the national park because of the rising river bed of the Suheli river, flowing next to the park. ``The problem is that the origination of Suheli is in Nepal but the silt all along the course of flow deposits near the park. We are planning to raise this point before the Indo-Nepal coordination committee to check this and see what possible efforts can be made in this direction.''

He also said the proposal to the WWF would be moved by October and the department is also trying that certain wetlands in the forest be declared as `recognised' by the government of India for the purpose of better and quality management.

He said not only was this imperative for the swamp deer to stay in the park but also for a variety of other animals including tigers, leopards, rhinoceros, hispid hares and 400 species of resident and migratory birds attracting a large number of tourists to the park. While the tiger reserve has been here since 1879, the Dudhwa national park was established in 1977.

Meanwhile, the state will observe the wildlife week from October 1 where the need for better conservation and protection of the wild animals would be highlighted through various programmes. -- UNI

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