Shajapur, October 23: An innovative, high-tech operation to mitigate crop damage by wildlife in western Madhya Pradesh is proving successful. A joint team from the Forest Department and South Africa’s Conservation Solutions successfully captured 69 blackbucks using the specialized ‘Boma’ technique, driven by a helicopter, on Thursday. This latest success brings the total number of captured blackbucks to 148.
Reducing Crop Damage, Easing Farmer Woes
The campaign, launched under the direction of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, aims to relocate blackbucks and nilgai (blue bulls) that have been damaging farmers’ crops in revenue areas. Forest Divisional Officer and campaign in-charge Virendra Singh Patel reported that the Boma enclosures were set up in Lasudiya Ghagh and Nipaniya Khurd in Shajapur district. The 69 blackbucks caught were safely relocated to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
This capture method, a first of its kind in India, aims to significantly reduce crop losses, addressing long-standing farmer complaints. The operation will continue in Shajapur until November 5 and will also target the capture and relocation of nilgai. The Forest Department appealed to local residents to cooperate by not chasing the animals or driving vehicles near the operating areas during the helicopter drives.
