Indian swamp deer, which are also referred to as Barasingha in India, were subjected to extinction at a time in Kanha Tiger Reserve situated in Madhya Pradesh, which has been successfully restored through the incorporation of effective initiatives such as conservation practices and breeding programs. Kanha Tiger Reserve, which is also known as Kanha National Park, is regarded as the largest national park of Madhya Pradesh, India is the habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger, the sloth bear, Indian leopards, as well as Indian wild dogs.
However, the availability of Indian swamp deer once increasingly started to decline because of deforestation, which resulted in the destruction of their habitats, illegal hunting for its valuable horns, draining of marshes due to farming, as well as infectious diseases that came from the domestic cattle. Nevertheless, the continuous efforts and the incorporation of fruitful conservation practices over the years have led to the incline of the number of Indian swamp deer to 800 in Kanha National Park.
About barasingha species
Barasingha refers to a specific deer species which are prominently found in central and north India along with Nepal. The population of this deer species is relatively quite less and significantly differs in comparison to the other subspecies. In the context of its appearance, the Indian swamp deer are large in size, having a lengthy body of around 6 ft and a shoulder of around 110 to 120 cm. The average weight of a large barasingha is approximately 210 to 260 kg.
One of the major reasons for the popularity of the Kanha National Park is the conservation of the Indian swamp deer. However, due to the increasing hunting, loss of habitat as well as increasing infection by diseases, the number of barasingha deers has decreased considerably.
As of 1967, there were only 66 barasingha in the Kanha National Park in comparison to 551 barasingha deer in 1953. However, through the involvement of consistent conservation works, Kanha National Park has successfully restored the species. As a result, the number of particular deer species reached 450 in 2015 and further increased to 800 as of 2020. L. Krishnamurthy, who is the field director of Kanha Tiger Reserve, has recognised this outcome as a great achievement.
Conservation initiatives undertaken by Kanha Tiger Reserve
Habitat management
Kanha National Park has been seen to relocate approximately 45 forest villages over time for the expansion of its core area to ensure the offering of the most appropriate native land for the Indian swamp deer where they can freely roam. The concerned management has also taken the initiative to convert the degraded village area into an appealing grassland to allow the Indian swamp deer to avail their favourite diet. As an effort towards effective management of the grasslands, they used to remove the weeds or any woody flora on a regular basis.
According to the names, Indian swamp deer are found to be preferring to stay and take food near the swampy areas. Therefore, the management of Kanha Tiger Reserve has focused on the formation of a series of artificial swamps and water ponds to facilitate deer to easily adapt to the surrounding circumstances and to support the growth of their favourite grasses in those areas. Moreover, in order to make the area suitable for reproduction and breeding, the plantation of native tall grasses was ensured where female deer preferred to give birth.
Population management
Kanha National Park has also captured all the incidents of mortality along with the key reasons accountable for the mortality to ensure the incorporation of preventive measures towards the problems. Despite being able to achieve a considerable number in the availability of Indian swamp deer, which is around more than 800, the park management has implemented a regular virtual headcount monitoring process on a daily basis to produce accurate data regarding their availability. Furthermore, distinct geographic regions have been created within the park to enhance the flexibility in the living of the Indian swamp deer.
Translocation efforts
The management of Kanha National Park has also recognised the importance of diversifying the geographical habitats of the barasingha by translocating them into several reserves across Madhya Pradesh because of the consideration of the inherent risks related to the conservation of an entire population in the single Kanha Park. Regarding this, translocation efforts have been undertaken in several gradual steps.
However, the first two translocations were found to be massively unsuccessful. For the first time in 1982, when 18 Indian swamp deer were shifted to the Bandhavgarh National Park, they were seen to not survive. Further, after some years, when a second attempt has been undertaken to shift them to Supkhar meadows, which is located within the Kanha National Park, led to the attainment of 50 per cent mortality.
However, after experiencing a number of problems and difficulties, a positive outcome has been achieved in the third translocation initiative, which has become possible due to the seamless effort of the staff and forest management. During this time, they are able to successfully translocate seven barasinghas to Van Vihar in Bhopal. The initiative has been proven to be highly efficient, as the female species which were transferred to Van Vihar have been found to be successfully giving birth. Later, the shifting of 78 more Indian swamp deers to Satpura Tiger Reserve over time also became successful. The translocation procedure is currently going on for shifting in the Bandhavgarh National Park.
Collaboration with the local communities
Kanha National Park’s management also actively interacts with the local communities seeking active participation in the conservation practices. The collaboration between the park and nearby villages has been to promote various initiatives, which include educational campaigns as well as the arrangement of sustainable livelihood programs. By ensuring the involvement of the local communities, the park aims to create a sense of responsibility among them and encourage them to take preventive measures against habitat degradation and poaching. The experts of Kanha National Park were also found to be collaborating with researchers across the world to investigate wildlife behavior biodiversity and to make informed and efficient conservation strategies for the endangered species.
FAQ
1. What conservation initiatives have been undertaken by Kanha Tiger Reserve to restore the barasingha deer population?
Habitat management, population management, translocation efforts, and collaboration with the local communities.
2. What challenges did Kanha National Park face during the translocation efforts of barasingha deer, and how were these challenges overcome?
The first two translocations were unsuccessful, with high mortality rates. Success was achieved in the third attempt, with seven barasinghas successfully translocated to Van Vihar in Bhopal.
3. How has habitat management at Kanha Tiger Reserve contributed to the increase in the barasingha deer population?
Relocated 45 forest villages, converted degraded areas into grasslands, removed weeds regularly, created artificial swamps and water ponds, and planted native tall grasses.
4. What role did the collaboration with local communities play in the conservation efforts at Kanha National Park?
Promoted educational campaigns and sustainable livelihood programs, encouraged preventive measures against habitat degradation and poaching, and collaborated with researchers worldwide.
5. How did the population of barasingha deer change in Kanha National Park from 1967 to 2020?
Increased from 66 in 1967 to 450 in 2015 and further to 800 in 2020.
