Frequent deaths of endangered blackbucks in Aska area in Karnataka, in absence of adequate protection have kept the locals and wildlife lovers worried. Recently, two male antelopes fought in a field in Bhejiput village under Aska police limits while one succumbed. Days later, a half-eaten carcass of a female blackbuck was found from a bushy area in Bhetnai. Even stray dogs killed another on July 4. Such deaths are frequently reported posing a question mark on the survival of the species in the area.
Sarat Panda of Tahnar village, who is closely watching the antelopes since a decade, says the animals prefer to stay in thin bushes near localities. Each herd usually comprises 20 antelopes with a lone male. Sometimes male blackbucks enter new herds which results in fatal fights. Panda said the antelope, locally called ‘kala bahutia/baliharina’ found in Aska-Vetnai area since long, can run faster than deer. They live in herds and sustain on grass and leaf. Often they invade the crop fields in the vicinity destroying a good portion in the process. But they are hardly chased away.
People here consider the appearance as harbinger of good fortune for them. In fact, Panda explained, locals believe that the amount of crop the antelopes eat doubles up at the time of harvest. At times blackbucks fall prey to poachers or meet fatal accidents while crossing roads.
According to forest office sources, around 1100 antelopes roam around in 126 sq km area in the vicinity. For the protection of such endangered species, a reserve has been created since long but lack of funds and proper measures have become roadblocks.
Local villagers too have formed a Krushnasara Mruga Protection Committee and its members have been making efforts to protect the antelope. Its president Amulya Upadhyaya said the forest department had appointed seven persons on daily wages to look after the blackbucks but they were laid off more than a year back.
