A DEER’S BODY FOUND AT THE OUTSKIRT OF SALEMPUR VILLAGE, RAISED QUESTIONS ON WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

A DEER’S BODY FOUND AT THE OUTSKIRT OF SALEMPUR VILLAGE, RAISED QUESTIONS ON WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

10-JUNE-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------Recovery of a deer’s body at the outskirt of Salempur village under Ara Muffassil police station in Bhojpur district created a sensation in the area. Its eyes were gouged out and marks of serious injuries were found on the body. The incident not only a shock but also raised questions on the working style of the administration and the forest department.

As the villagers knew about the incident, they informed the police and the forest department. The Bhojpur SP was also informed about the matter, he assured immediate action and said to inform the forest department. However, till the time of reporting, no team of the forest department had reached the spot due to which resentment prevails among the villagers. Villagers said that the death of the deer does not seem natural. Seeing its body, hunting or any violent attack is suspected. They believe that there are serious flaws in the protection of wildlife in the area.

Villagers said that there has been an unexpected increase in the number of deer in the outskirt of Salempur village in the last few years. Both horned and hornless deer are being seen here. They estimate that their number in the area has reached approximate one thousand and this area has now naturally turned into a wildlife haven.

Although the increasing of number of deer may be a positive sign for wildlife lovers, there is a lack of protection and basic facilities in this area. There is neither water facility nor proper arrangement of fodder. There is a huge shortage of water during the summer season due to which deer have to wander here and there and thus they can become victims of hunters or other dangers.

The villagers and social workers demanded that facilities like drinking water, pond, fodder site and fencing should be provided for the wildlife under MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) and deployment of forest guards so that any untoward incident can be prevented in time.

The role of the Forest Department is also in the dock. The villagers alleged that they informed the officials several times about the presence and safety of wildlife but no concrete steps were taken and the negligence is now taking a toll on the lives of wildlife. The villagers said silver screen star Salman Khan is being sued for hunting a black deer and in Bhojpur nothing is being done to protect the wildlife. Besides Dumraon in Buxar district is known for black deer where hunters kill them practically daily with impunity and no one is there to check them.

Wildlife experts said that if the number of wildlife is increasing in natural area, it is a good sign for biodiversity but if a safe environment is not created for them in time, this situation can be dangerous for their existence. Experts demanded that this area be declared ‘sensitive wildlife are’ so that conservation provisions can be implemented.