INDORE : Blackbucks, the Indian antelopes found in abundance in the plains, grasslands and scrubs of Madhya Pradesh, has registered a steady decline in population during the last decade, says a study carried out by wildlife expert and photographer Shariq Khan, who also founder of Amateur Ornithologists & Birdwatchers of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The blackbuck population has gone down mainly because of large scale conversion of their habitats into agriculture fields and poaching, the study adds.
Shariq Khan has conducted the survey over the last three years in different districts of Madhya Pradesh. "I had first seen a blackbuck in 1989 near Hosangabad. At that time it was in abundance. But five years back, when I started bird watching, I was shocked to see their shrinking habitat and sharp decline in their number. As there was no proper data available related to their number and habitat, I decided to start a survey," Khan said adding that survey has been done by several field visits and talking to villagers and filed forest officials.
He said decline in blackbucks has been reported in Tamil Nadu and some other parts of country as well.
Now in MP, blackbucks can be seen in very small pockets of Dewas, Sehore, Shajapur, Raisen, Rajgarh, Vidisha, Harda, Hoshangabad and Bhopal districts.
Because of sharp decline in their range and number IUCN ( International Union for Conservation of Nature) placed them in "NT" (Near Threatened) category in year 2003.
"Since 60 to 80% of their habitats are converted into agriculture fields they are now surviving on crops rather than grass. The state presently has a population of about 5,000 to 7,000 blackbucks approximately as against 40,000 a decade back. Since most of these blackbucks are living and surviving outside the protected areas, reserved forest scrubs and grasslands, sanctuaries and national parks their exact numbers are still uncertain," Khan said adding that forest department has no arrangements or provisions for their safety and there are no provisions made by government to check their habitat loss and maintain status quo of their habitat.
On the contrary principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) Wildlife, P K Shukla denied about any decline in blackbuck population in the state. "The number of blackbucks is increasing and they damaging the crops. It is not possible to keep track of exact number of every wild animal," Shukla said.
Khan's study claims that blackbucks damage crops at certain places and it is leading to man-animal conflict. "Most of the fields, grasslands and scrubs in non-protected areas are now already converted into agricultural fields, commercial and residential properties and because of it they are confined to the agriculture fields near human habitation and villages, which is resulting into daily man-animal conflicts, making them easy target for hunters, poachers and stray dogs," Khan said adding that at these pockets also they are facing regular threats from hunters, poachers, angry farmers, stray dogs and constantly shrinking habitat.
Wildlife expert points out that after habitat loss hunting and poaching are the major threats for them because in last three years more than 50 cases of hunting were registered in the above mentioned districts alone. This seems to be only 20% of the actual poaching cases because the rest go unreported. "In the year 2012 alone more than 5 blackbucks were found injured or dead because of gun shots," Khan said adding that from March to June every year large number of deaths are recorded because at that time most of the agriculture fields remain crop less and blackbucks have no alternate food source.
Elaborating about the active gang of poachers, Manoj Gangi of Kevra village of Sehore district said professional poachers are active in these areas since long. They kill to sell their meat. Some Dhabas in these districts reportedly purchase of blackbucks at a very nominal price from these poachers.
"Some time back a gang of poachers were caught and beaten by the villagers after being caught killing blackbuck," said Gangi adding that most of these poachers have criminal records and they are holding multiple firearms on single arms licenses. Some of them use illegally modified 0.22 airguns (converted into firearms) while some others use firearms like 315 bore rifles and 12 bore shotguns. Gangs of poacher tribes are also active in these areas who are not only killing blackbucks but also involved in killing other protected/endangered animals and birds.
Action suggested:
To save the blackbucks, government and forest department must estimate the remaining number of blackbucks in these un-protected areas and involve the villagers to protect them and prevent poaching. Government and forest department should also mark their habitat and secure it from further conversion into agriculture fields, commercial and residential land, cancel arms license of criminals/hunters and of those who have multiple arms on single license. In addition to this control and implement checks on the sale, purchase and manufacturing of 0.22 bore airguns, and strict action is need to be taken against hunters and poachers. Efforts should be taken for rehabilitation of tribes involved in poaching and provide them alternate livelihood, confiscate hunting tools from them and punish them whose are involved in repeated hunting cases.
Pointers:
Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) /Indian Antelope is the representative of genus Antilope in India.
Approximate number of blackbucks is 5,000 to 7,000 (approx).
Shrinking habitat of blackbucks is resulting into daily man-animal conflicts.
Poacher tribes also kill blackbucks.
