Black Bucks under threat at Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary

Mirzapur, May 21 (UNI) Water scarcity and recent inferno incidents at the Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary are posing a great threat to the life of thousands of rare species, including black bucks here.

Both Mirzapur and Sonebhadra districts are facing an acute water shortage these days. The water bodies, including rivers, check dams and waterfalls, have almost dried in these mountainous regions.

The wildlife population in the Kaimoor Sanctuary, located on the Uttar Pradesh-Bihar border and sprawls over an area of 500 sq km, comprises leopard, black buck, chital, chinkara, ratel and peafowl.

However, the main attraction of the sanctuary is Krishna black bucks, which were found during the Indus Valley Civilisation.

To slake their thirst, these wild animals often migrate to the nearby villages, where they are either hunted or killed.

Though the forest officials are leaving no stone unturned to save the black bucks, their efforts are not upto the mark.

Environmentalists and nature lovers say if the lackadaisical attitude of the administration continues and no water resource arrangement is made soon, thousands of rare species, including black bucks, will become extinct.

District Forest Officer (Wildlife) N Ravindra today said the situation needs meticulous planning. The department has sent a proposal to the Uttar Pradesh government to facilitate water supply through tanks.

Two reservoirs at Mahuria (Sonebhadra) and one at Halia (Mirzapur) have recently been set up, which would fight the problem to some extent, he added.

UNI