chemicals and fertilizers used in the production of seeds as well as a burgeoning stray dog population near the Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve may have resulted in bringing down the number of young blackbucks (fawns) in Tumakuru, according to a survey.
The survey of blackbucks in the Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve in Madhugiri taluk has thrown up good and bad news for animal lovers: the mature blackbuck numbers have gone up, while the number of fawns remain well below expected figures.
The findings come out of the census commissioned by the Forest Department and Wildlife Aware Nature Club on the blackbuck numbers in Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve on August 8 and 9.
Compared to the numbers in 2012, the male population has gone by 40 per cent, whereas the female population has gone by a whooping 164 per cent.
However, in this period, the number of fawns has gone up by just 14 to 41 bucks. This is far lower than the expected figure of 90 fawns considering the large female population.
Population in Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve
Year | Male | Female | Fawn | Total |
1997 | 124 | 216 | 68 | 408 |
2002 | 202 | 335 | 73 | 610 |
2009 | 129 | 280 | 45 | 454 |
2012 | 105 | 125 | 27 | 257 |
2015 | 174 | 330 | 41 | 545 |
The increase in overall numbers is being attributed to the efforts of the Forest Department’s conservation measures, anti-poaching action. However, explaining the low fawn numbers, chairperson of the Wildlife Aware Nature Club, B.V. Gundappa, says: “There has been deficient rainfall for at least 15 years and food sources are becoming scarce. The herds move out of the forest into nearby fields, where multinational companies have leased out land to produce seeds. They use a lot of chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers. Blackbucks that eat the grass near the land consume these chemicals. This affects the embryos in the female and the lifespan of the young ones is reduced.”
And, stray dogs around the reserve prey on fawns. So, the Club has suggested a ban on agricultural chemical usage and control of the dog population in a 10-km radius to ensure a sustainable population.
Deputy Conservator of Forests N.V. Amaranath told The Hindu : “We will examine the report and take suitable action to save the blackbucks.”
Reasons for low fawn population:
Usage of pesticide and chemicals to produce watermelon, tomato and green chilly seeds
Stray dog population outside the sanctuary preys on the fawns
Source: Wildlife Aware Nature Club
