The iconic deer park at Tulasipur in Cuttack is going to shut down. The Forest department has started shifting deer from the overcrowded park to a temporary rescue centre (special enclosure) set up at Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary.
While 30 deer have already been shifted in two phases, the entire process of shifting nearly 300 deer will be completed within a month. They are being shifted to a 70 acre special enclosure at Chandaka-Dampada sanctuary with the help of Chandaka forest department and Nandankanan authorities.
The move came in response to Orissa High Court’s order and Central Zoo Authority (CZA)’s warning over providing adequate space and proper environment to the animals at the park.
While the shifting of deer aimed at offering a better habitat and environment, the animal keepers at the Cuttack deer park who have taken care of the deer since decades, expressed their sadness over the transfer.
Animal Keeper Shiva Prasad Mishra was particularly sad after relocation of two deer named Ravana and Budha which were close to his heart. “I can never forget Ravana. I wanted to breathe my last in the company of deer. But it wasn’t to be,” said a grief-stricken Mishra.
The 42-year-old deer park at Cuttack was a landmark and popular among kids who made a beeline everyday to watch the fawns play. Keeping that in mind, some locals of the silver city has also demanded to keep some of the deer at the park.
"We are actually sad. I never thought it will be shut down. It was our only getaway to the nature in the city. It is very close to our heart. I would request the authorities to spare at least 10-15 deer in this park and keep it operational,” urged a local of Cuttack.
However, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) authorities expressed their helplessness in keeping the park open in Cuttack.
Speaking to reporters, CMC Commissioner Nikhil Pawan Kalyan said, “We will shift the entire park within a month. It is the decision of Forest Department. We do not have license any more to keep these deer in the park. More than half of the park will be razed soon under the road expansion plan. But I will definitely discuss the issue with the government and forest department.”
The Deer Park, established in 1981 and spread across 2.5 acre, had only five deer initially but now its population has gone up to 296. This has created spatial issues. As per Central Zoo Authority (CZA norms), a maximum of 15 deer can be accommodated within 2.5 acre of land. The civic body’s move came following Orissa High Court’s order and Central Zoo Authority (CZA)’s warning with regard to providing adequate space and proper environment for the deer population.
The Central Zoo Authority had withdrawn its recognition for Cuttack Deer Park citing lack of adequate space for the animals in 2021.