Power corporation to shell out Rs 1.7 crore to save black bucks
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ALLAHABAD: Among the upcoming power projects in the Trans-Ganga and
Trans-Yamuna area to bring relief to the power-starved state, is one
that is being constructed at Meja by Meja Urja Nigam (a joint venture of
National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and the state government), which is going to serve another purpose-of protecting the Indian black buck.
Spread in an area of around 300 hectares in and around Chand Khamaria village of the Meja Tehsil, Meja power corporation has joined hands with district forest office of the social forestry division of Allahabad and signed a MOU wherein the nigam would donate for the cause an amount of over Rs 1.70 crore over the next five years. The MOU was signed by chief executive officer (CEO) Meja Urja Nigam Vinod Sharma and DFO Allahabad, Ashok Dikshit.
Public relation officer (PRO) of the nigam Vijay Kumar said a sanctuary for conserving blackbucks would be developed in Chand Kamaria, a village 10 km away from the power project site. The corporation will donate Rs 1,72,32,76 over the next five years for development work like tree plantation, construction of ponds, pump houses, watch towers, etc.
The unique project was planned around two years back by the district forest department, while the implementing part is with the NTPC, which has agreed in principal to provide the funds needed. The sanctuary, which would come up around 60 kilometer from Allahabad towards Mirzapur, will have the entire infrastructure including bricked fencing of the entire area, artificial water holes for the black bucks, salt licks, a rest house, etc. The entire area of 300 hectares under Gram Samaj and 35 hectare of forest department, has a total population of around 350 black bucks. The endangered species has migrated from some other areas and has been spotted in this particular region for the past five years and its population has increased substantially in the past couple of years.
Sources inform that the number of black bucks is increasing in almost all areas including Gaderia block which had none of this endangered species till two years back. Around five of the deer were spotted last year and the population went up to around 40 this year. Chand Khagaria alone has over 200 black bucks which are considered auspicious by villagers who render the best service towards conservation of this endangered species by restricting their killing. The ocular estimation (which is done by sighting and counting the subject), which is first of its kind in estimating the population of this species in the region, shows that their number has increased multi-fold. With the signing of MoU, the upcoming sanctuary would be establishing conducive conditions for their growth in large numbers letting them venture in the open pastures and hilly terrains of the area. Likewise, the entire area will see numerous water holes in the form of ponds. Given a permanent and safe source of water, the species does not need to migrate, said the officer. Similarly, salt licks (bricks containing salt) would also be placed all over the area to take care of the salt deficiency found in this tender animal.
Pointedly, Indian black buck (scientific name being is Antilope cervicapra) is also known by a number of other names like Kala Hiran, Sasin, Iralai Maan and Krishna Jinka. Found in various parts Indian subcontinent and Nepal, grass forms the staple diet of the blackbucks however they do eat pods, flowers and fruits as supplements.
While signing the MOU, Vinod Sharma said that harmony between man and its environment is the essence for a healthy life and growth. MUNPL is an environment friendly power project, leaving no stone unturned to protect the environment. "We all know Black Buck is an highly endangered species and in this connection we are going to save Black buck in Chand Kamaria village area and Black Buck also holds the cultural importance in Hinduism and Buddhism", said Sharma.
Spread in an area of around 300 hectares in and around Chand Khamaria village of the Meja Tehsil, Meja power corporation has joined hands with district forest office of the social forestry division of Allahabad and signed a MOU wherein the nigam would donate for the cause an amount of over Rs 1.70 crore over the next five years. The MOU was signed by chief executive officer (CEO) Meja Urja Nigam Vinod Sharma and DFO Allahabad, Ashok Dikshit.
Public relation officer (PRO) of the nigam Vijay Kumar said a sanctuary for conserving blackbucks would be developed in Chand Kamaria, a village 10 km away from the power project site. The corporation will donate Rs 1,72,32,76 over the next five years for development work like tree plantation, construction of ponds, pump houses, watch towers, etc.
The unique project was planned around two years back by the district forest department, while the implementing part is with the NTPC, which has agreed in principal to provide the funds needed. The sanctuary, which would come up around 60 kilometer from Allahabad towards Mirzapur, will have the entire infrastructure including bricked fencing of the entire area, artificial water holes for the black bucks, salt licks, a rest house, etc. The entire area of 300 hectares under Gram Samaj and 35 hectare of forest department, has a total population of around 350 black bucks. The endangered species has migrated from some other areas and has been spotted in this particular region for the past five years and its population has increased substantially in the past couple of years.
Sources inform that the number of black bucks is increasing in almost all areas including Gaderia block which had none of this endangered species till two years back. Around five of the deer were spotted last year and the population went up to around 40 this year. Chand Khagaria alone has over 200 black bucks which are considered auspicious by villagers who render the best service towards conservation of this endangered species by restricting their killing. The ocular estimation (which is done by sighting and counting the subject), which is first of its kind in estimating the population of this species in the region, shows that their number has increased multi-fold. With the signing of MoU, the upcoming sanctuary would be establishing conducive conditions for their growth in large numbers letting them venture in the open pastures and hilly terrains of the area. Likewise, the entire area will see numerous water holes in the form of ponds. Given a permanent and safe source of water, the species does not need to migrate, said the officer. Similarly, salt licks (bricks containing salt) would also be placed all over the area to take care of the salt deficiency found in this tender animal.
Pointedly, Indian black buck (scientific name being is Antilope cervicapra) is also known by a number of other names like Kala Hiran, Sasin, Iralai Maan and Krishna Jinka. Found in various parts Indian subcontinent and Nepal, grass forms the staple diet of the blackbucks however they do eat pods, flowers and fruits as supplements.
While signing the MOU, Vinod Sharma said that harmony between man and its environment is the essence for a healthy life and growth. MUNPL is an environment friendly power project, leaving no stone unturned to protect the environment. "We all know Black Buck is an highly endangered species and in this connection we are going to save Black buck in Chand Kamaria village area and Black Buck also holds the cultural importance in Hinduism and Buddhism", said Sharma.
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