The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Doubts persist over success of project

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 22, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Doubts persist over success of project

By D. Srinivasulu

Whither from Here?: A blackbuck in full flow

KURNOOL, DEC. 21. As the forest personnel are getting ready to capture and shift the blackbucks from the Aluru area in Kurnool district to save standing crops, doubts persist among the forest staff as well as others over the success of the project.

After repeated pleas by farmers to take measures to avoid crop damage by blackbucks, the Government proposes to shift the animals to a sanctuary. According to reports, the population of blackbucks has risen at an alarming rate in 11 mandals of Adoni division in the past few years and has reached 8,000 currently. The herds move in an area of 3.7 lakh acres causing extensive damage to crops. Forest officials have analysed that the steep fall in the population of predators like wolf and fox, availability of food and control of poaching have contributed to the sudden spurt in the blackbuck population.

Widespread crop loss

The animals relish groundnut, pulses, minor millets, jowar and sunflower crops. Most of the loss was caused by trampling of plants rather than nibbling. The officers, who assessed the damage, said that of the total crop loss caused by pests, nature's vagaries, the loss contributed by blackbucks was around 15 per cent. However, farmers showed blackbuck population as the single reason for the damage.

Under pressure from the public and elected representatives, the Government sanctioned Rs. 2 crores for the project while the total cost of it was estimated at Rs. 8 crores. Forest officials are exploring various options to shift the animals from their natural habitat to a sanctuary. A project of this magnitude is being done for the first time.

Slow action

When a similar problem arose at the Great Indian Bustard Park at Rollapadu, forest officials planned to shift the animals to the Vanasthali Deer Park at Hyderabad and the sanctuary at Nagarjunasagar. With great difficulty, the staff could catch 150 animals so far. Other options to check crop damage available are: help increase the population of predators by developing bushes, expanding the circulation zone for animals by rising crops so that they do not stray into the fields and encourage farmers to grow crops not relished by the animals.

The officers have said if they fail in their mission, the only option is to take steps to reduce the damage.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh