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Wild animals brave drought to increase population in desert
Jodhpur, Sept 23: Despite severe drought and famine conditions in western Rajasthan, population of wild animals has registered a considerable increase, according to a census conducted by forest department here.
Jodhpur, Sept 23: Despite severe drought and famine conditions in western Rajasthan, population of wild animals has registered a considerable increase, according to a census conducted by forest department here.
For their survival in the worst drought in decades, desert fauna commonly moved to areas populated by humans who provided them protection re-establishing yet again the traditional bonds of co-existence in desert region.
Not only Bishnoi community who hold wild animals like chinkaras, black bucks and other species of deer as sacred, others also extended same protection to all wild animals in distress in the period of drought.
The departmental census found population of chinkaras increasing from 56,513 in 2002 to about 1.63 lakhs this year and number of black bucks going up from 8,927 to 39,883 in Jodhpur district alone.
Similarly, fox population increased from 633 to 1116, bull from 3186 to 4344 and national bird peacock from 11,462 to 26,612 in this district.
Only one species of reptile pada goh registered a decrease from 160 last year to 119 this year. However, population of another species chandan goh rose from 179 to 76.
Bureau Report
Not only Bishnoi community who hold wild animals like chinkaras, black bucks and other species of deer as sacred, others also extended same protection to all wild animals in distress in the period of drought.
The departmental census found population of chinkaras increasing from 56,513 in 2002 to about 1.63 lakhs this year and number of black bucks going up from 8,927 to 39,883 in Jodhpur district alone.
Similarly, fox population increased from 633 to 1116, bull from 3186 to 4344 and national bird peacock from 11,462 to 26,612 in this district.
Only one species of reptile pada goh registered a decrease from 160 last year to 119 this year. However, population of another species chandan goh rose from 179 to 76.
Bureau Report