Govt seeks US aid to protect deer

Bhopal, July 18: The Madhya Pradesh government is considering to seek financial assistance from an American NGO ''Safari Club International'' for the protection of Barahsinga (swamp deer) found in Kanha National Park, Forest Minister Himmat Kothari told the Assembly today.

The population of Barahsinga, a protected animal, at the Kanha National Park is about 324 at present, he told Mr Gajraj Singh Sikarwar in a written reply. The antelope specie is found in Uttar Pradesh and Assam also, he said.

Mr Kothari said under the American law, 10 percent income from hunting of any endangered species or those of foreign origin should be given to that country for the protection of that species.

Safari Club International, an NGO registered in America under US law, has offered to provide grant to the Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh this year for the protection of Barahsingha, he said.

Since Barahsinga is found in Uttar Pradesh and Assam, besides Madhya Pradesh, any of these states was eligible to get aid from the NGO, Mr Kothari added.

UNI