Top Stories»
Humans forcing Lumbini blue bulls to go west
LUMBINI, JUN 02 -
The extremely endangered animal species, blue bull (Boselaphus Tragocamelus), inhabiting the “sacred” forest of Lumbini is on the verge of extinction due to poaching and poisoning.
Over the last three years, the blue bull population has dwindled alarmingly. “There were more than 200 blue bulls during the first census in 2007. Now, only 35 are left,” said Conservation Officer Sunil Dahal at the Lumbini Development Trust. Blue bulls, the largest of Asian antelopes, prefer living in groups. “Now there are only three groups whereas there were 18 in 2007,” Dahal added.
Statistics from the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation show the total population of blue bulls in Nepal is around 200 and the small forest area in Lumbini is one of the few remaining sites where these endangered animals can be traced. Bardiya National Park and Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve are two other areas where blue bulls live.
Local conservationists blame poaching and poisoning for the rapid decline in the blue bulls population. “Blue bulls are poached for their savoury meat and their medicinal value.”
The forest’s adjoining villages, officials say, are a major threat to the animal. “No sooner do the animals get out of the forest than locals either hunt or poison them,” said Dahal. “To control this, we have started fencing the forest. The project will be completed next year.”
However, guards looking after the forest scoff at the idea. They say that poaching goes on even inside the forest. “Fencing can control animals, not humans,” said Surat Yadav, a guard at LDT. “Until the Trust comes up with strong punishment to poachers, no amount of fencing will help.”
The guards also argue that poaching is going on unchecked due to inadequate number of guards. Only four guards are looking after the forest that spans three square miles. “Two of us guard the forest during the day and our other two colleagues guard it at night,” said Yadav.
Acharya Karma Sangbo Sherpa, Vice-Chairman at LDT, said the Trust is taking steps for the conservation of the animal. “We are organising campaigns to educate people about the importance of these animals in the ecosystem,” said Sherpa. “Also, the provision of punishment and fencing the forest will be carried out together.”
According to blue bull research expert Top Khatri, “The number is decreasing dramatically due to lack of conservation and rampant poaching. If the authorities do not get serious, this endangered animal may just go extinct from Nepal.”
Posted on: 2010-06-03 07:53
Headlines
Advertisements
