A HEAVEN FOR BLACKBUCKS : THE RENAISSANCE OF BIHAR’S BHOJPURI REGION

A HEAVEN FOR BLACKBUCKS : THE RENAISSANCE OF BIHAR’S BHOJPURI REGION

4-JULY-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA------------------------Deep within Bihar, the Bhojpuri area is experiencing a stunning resurgence of the blackbuck (Antilope Cervicapra), a scarce antelope species. Bhojpuri heartland of Bihar has become a paradise for black deer, the fortunes of the entire area can shine, know why they are so special. Finding black deer is no less than interesting news in itself. Their count in the major Bhojpuri areas of Bihar including Bhojpur can bring a wave of happiness on the faces of the people of the entire state. A recent census uncovering over a thousand blackbucks sets the stage for this narrative which delves into their resurgence, the conservation measures driving it and the prospective influence on the region, enriched with examples from other conservation triumphs.

For the first time, more than one thousand black deer have been counted in the Bhojpuri region of Bihar. Black deer is one of the rarest species in the whole world. Black deer is so rare that you cannot even feed it, you cannot even touch it. Touching it is also illegal and in such a situation, more than one thousand deer have been found in the area of ​​Bhojpur.

The Forest Department has been counting them for the last one year. Probably this count has ended now. However, it has not been officially announced by the Forest Department yet. The forest department is also very cautious about the protection of black deer. Here they are given protection to increase the population of black deer. There is a lot of open ground (field) in Bhojpur which is called grassland in the language of wildlife and the main habitat of black deer is grassland. Therefore, gradually they started settling and their population started increasing.

Classified as ‘near threatened’ by the ICNU, the blackbuck has established a sanctuary in the districts of Bhojpur, Buxar and Rohtas. Communities such as Akhagawan, Sandesh, Shahpur, Khangaon and Udwantnagar are home to more than a thousand of these antelopes, a landmark achievement documented through a year-long census by the Forest Department. Their thriving presence in expansive grassland signifies a major ecological breakthrough.

The grasslands o Bhojpur, resembling the blackbuck’s natural habitants, have spurred their proliferation. The forest department’s initiatives, notably the provision of water points during the summer season, reflect successful tactics seen in Odhisa’s Ganjam where community efforts have multiplied the blackbuck population to exceed 7,000.

Threats from predation and habitat persist, as evidenced in Nepal’s Khairapura where leopard attacks dwindled the population from 300 to 170. Bhojpur’s careful oversight and plentiful grasslands stand in contrast to Punjab’s Abohar where habitat changes jeopardize the species. While poaching has been controlled in Bhojpur, it continues to pose issues in regions like Madhya Pradesh.

Bhojpur’s strategy- utilizing natural habitats and fostering community involvement--mirrors Gujarat’s Velavadar, where 4000 blackbucks flourish. The deployment of water points and educational campaigns aligns with international standards, presenting a replicable framework for India.

Eco-tourism holds the potential to enhance Bhojpur’s economic landscape, as demonstrated by Velavadar while the blackbuck’s revered status in Hinduism could deepen the region’s cultural heritage. Prudent planning is essential to sidestep the setbacks encountered in Punjab’s Abohar.

While plans for a rescue center in Buxar and possible expansion into Kaimur, Bhojpur is poised to spearhead Bihar’s conservation initiatives. This approach could influence national policies for other endangered species heralding a future of coexistence.

Despite all the efforts of government, hunting of blackbucks is going on with impunity right under the nose of the officials of the district administration. People hunt it and include it in their diet. They say that the venison or meat of blackbuck is very tasty and healthy. While on one hand a case is going on against the silver screen star Salman Khan for hunting blackbuck, it is being hunted regularly in Bhojpur and Buxar districts but there is no one to take action against these illegal hunters.