Madhya Pradesh: South African Team Arrives in India for Blackbuck Rescue Operation in Shujalpur
Shujalpur: Amidst the rising population of blackbucks and the resulting damage to farmers' crops in the district, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department is set to launch a large-scale rescue operation once again. A team of experts from South Africa has arrived in Mumbai to assist with the blackbuck rescue. The team reached Indore on Thursday and will travel to Shujalpur, where they will be welcomed near the Jatashankar area. Subsequently, the rescue operation will be conducted across various parts of the district from October 9 to October 31.
Fateh Singh Ninama, the Sub-Divisional Officer (Forest) for Shajapur, stated that the operation would be conducted under the guidance of state forest officials. More than 120 forest department officers and staff members will participate in the operation at the field level, working under the leadership of Prabhuranjan Reddy (Divisional Forest Officer - Production, Dewas) and Amit Singh Chauhan (Divisional Forest Officer - General, Dewas, and in-charge DFO, Shajapur).
Target of rescuing approximately 2,000 blackbucks this year
Additionally, the campaign will enlist the cooperation of officials and staff from other departments. The Forest Department has set a target of rescuing approximately 2,000 blackbucks this year, utilizing the 'Boma' method—a technique commonly practiced in South Africa.
Blackbucks to be Herded into the Boma via Helicopter
Herding wildlife into a single location across open fields and vast plains presents a significant challenge. The Boma method involves creating a large, curtain-like enclosure. Helicopters are used to gently herd the animals toward this enclosure. Once inside, they are safely secured within the Boma and subsequently transported to designated locations using vehicles.
913 Wild Animals Rescued in 21 Days Last Year
Last year, a pilot project to rescue blackbucks using helicopters and the 'boma' method was conducted by a team from South Africa's Conservation Solutions and the Forest Department. This operation spanned 21 days, from October 15 to November 4. During this period, a total of 913 wild animals were rescued from the district, comprising 846 blackbucks and 67 nilgais.
Operation is considered significant for both wildlife conservation and the farmers
The estimated population of blackbucks in Shajapur district is around 20,000, while the nilgai population is estimated at approximately 2,000. Farmers have long been demanding the rescue of these animals due to the damage caused to their crops. Consequently, this upcoming operation—following last year's successful pilot project—is considered significant for both wildlife conservation and the farmers.
Helipad Being Constructed in Shujalpur
A helipad is being prepared by the administration at the Scholars Academy sports ground in Shujalpur for the rescue operation. Existing helipads in Kalapipal and Polaykalan will also be utilized if the need arises. The Forest Department has identified potential sites for setting up the 'boma' (capture enclosure); these locations will be finalized following a meeting with the South African expert team.