These Odisha villages are safe havens for endangered blackbucks 

Blackbuck is categorized as the most endangered deer species and its population is declining. But the case is different in Ganjam district’s Chikili and Bhetnai villages. In these two villages, their population is rather increasing as the villagers are their protectors. 

If the Bishnoi community in Rajasthan is earning applause for being instrumental in the increase of the population of blackbucks, the role of the villagers of Chikili and Bhetnai villages in saving blackbucks, locally known as Krushnasara, and increasing their population is equally commendable. 

A first-time visitor to Chikili and Bhetnai villages under Khallikote forest range and Aska forest range respectively will be welcomed by a freely grazing herd of deer, including blackbucks. 

The ease at which the blackbucks roam here and there in the jungles and farmlands in these villages, the amount of love and affection the villagers are showering on them can be well-understood. 

“The deer are safe in our village. The villagers are protecting them from poachers and animals like stray dogs. They are taking care of them from morning to evening,” said Uttam Swain, a Chikili resident. 

If the deer are moving fearlessly in the villages, it is because of the villagers who have been protecting these animals for generations. As of now, the visitors coming to Ganjam district are including these two villages in their itineraries. Keeping this in view, the forest department has also constructed a watch tower at the end of the villages, besides deploying its staff. 

“The watchtower constructed at the end of the village helps us to keep a watch on the animals. This apart, tourists are also getting a better view of the deer grazing in fields from this watch tower,” said Siddharth Shankar Sahu, Forest Ranger, Khallikote.  

While the incident of deer poaching is hardly reported from these villages, cases of vehicles running over them are heard often. To check this, the Forest department is contemplating putting up hoardings and constructing speed-breakers on roads passing through the forested areas. 

“Besides creating awareness among people to drive carefully while passing through the stretch, we have put up signboards and constructed speed breakers on roads,” said Pramod Kumar Panda, Forest Ranger, Aska. 

“They go from one place to another in search of water. If ponds are dug up in the jungles, they can quench their thirst without having to cross roads,” observed the president of Ganjam Zilla Mruga Surakshya Samiti, Amulya Upadhyay. 

As per the last census, the population of deer in Aska Forest range under Ghumusar south division is 1,979, including over 200 blackbucks.