Habitat in peril, Madhugiri blackbucks migrating in search of greener pastures
Category : Wildlife |
Location : Karnataka | Posted on 2021-08-03 00:46:32
TUMAKURU: Large-scale destruction of grasslands in Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve of Madhugiri taluk, Tumakuru district, has triggered a mass migration of blackbucks to neighbouring Andhra Pradesh in search of fodder.
While the mass migration of blackbucks towards Hindupur in Anantapur of Andhra Pradesh has caused concern among environmentalists and animal lovers, the antelopes are also foraging farmlands for food drawing farmers’ wrath.
Blackbucks need open grasslands for food and free movement and to escape from predators. Spread over 798 acres, Jayamangali, near Mydananahalli, was declared a blackbuck conservation reserve in 2007.
Environmentalist TVN Murthy blamed the forest department for the food shortage faced by blackbucks in the reserve. Acting on complaints that clumps of Nilgiri and other trees on the grasslands were forcing the antelopes to forage nearby farmlands for food, the forest department not only cut the trees but also razed the grasslands, he said.
Chikkanna, a farmer from Mutharayanahalli, said every year he is incurring crop losses due to damage caused by the blackbucks. Over 70% of Chikkanna’s mulberry plants were devoured by the animals. The farmer lamented that the crop loss compensation provided by the forest department is meagre and will not even fetch the expenses incurred in filing the application seeking relief.
While Murthy said the antelopes are also migrating to Sira and Pavagada taluks of Tumakuru district in search of food and water, Tumakuru district secretary of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) Shankarappa said they are are moving towards Gauribidanur of Chikkaballapura district.
Shooed away by farmers keen on saving their crops, the blackbucks are moving from one farmland to another. Murthy expressed concerns that the antelopes may be killed in road accidents or by poachers if they cross the boundary of the reserve.
Murthy said the forest department has to improve the habitat in order to prevent migration of blackbucks. He demanded the state government conduct a census of the blackbucks and open a wildlife wing of the forest department in Tumakuru district.
District conservator of forests S Ramesh said crop loss compensation rates have to be revised at the government level. Recently transferred to the district, he said he would take measures to improve the habitat by removing the vegetation, bushes and weeds. He would conduct a study of the grasslands and submit a report on habitat improvement to the government.
Ramesh, however, said the rising blackbuck population could also be a reason for food shortage and consequent migration, adding that they will return to the reserve.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/habitat-in-peril-madhugiri-blackbucksmigrating-in-search-of-greener-pastures/articleshowprint/84991618.cms
