CONTINUING the exercise of increasing population of hard ground Swamp Deer (Barasingha), another successful wildlife translocation operation was carried out at Kanha Tiger Reserve. Total 12 Barasingha relocated from Kanha to Satpura Tiger Reserve. The wildlife translocation was carried out with approval from the Government of India’s National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), New Delhi, and following the directions of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal.

 

As part of the exercise, 12 Barasingha (Hard Ground Swamp Deer) including eight adult females and four fawns were captured using the boma capture method at Saunf ground, compartment number 636, Beat Saunf, in the Sarhi Range of Kanha Tiger Reserve, Mandla. The animals were later transported safely to Satpura Tiger Reserve, Narmadapuram, in a specially designed wildlife transport vehicle. The entire operation was conducted under the leadership of Ravindra Mani Tripathi, Field Director, Kanha Tiger Reserve, who was present on site throughout the mission.

 

Key contributions were also made by Puneet Goyal, Deputy Director, Dr Sandeep Agrawal, Wildlife Veterinarian, Dr R K Chaturvedi from the Veterinary Dispensary, Mukki, Assistant Director, Banjar, Range Officer, Sarhi and other forest personnel. The translocation is part of a long-term conservation strategy to increase the population of Barasingha across Madhya Pradesh. Over the past few years, seven Barasingha were relocated to Van Vihar National Park, Bhopal, 115 to Satpura Tiger Reserve and 48 to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.

 

Kanha Tiger Reserve holds special significance in the conservation history of the species. In the 1970s, Barasingha population in Kanha had dwindled to just 66 numbers. However, due to sustained and scientific conservation efforts by the Kanha management, the population has now recovered remarkably to around 1,100, making Kanha the global stronghold of the Hard Ground Barasingha.