Abohar sanctuary to get rescue-cum-rehab centre for blackbucks, nilgais
BATHINDA: The Punjab forest and wildlife department has decided to set up a rescuecum-rehabilitation centre at the Shri Guru Jambeshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Fazilka district’s Abohar sub-division for endangered blackbucks as well as nilgais (blue bulls).
It will be the first well-organised medical care facility at the sanctuary with an ambulance and trained staff at its disposal.
Chief wildlife warden Kuldeep Kumar Lomis told HT that the department is working with the district administration to identify 10-acre land to establish a centre in the sanctuary area, preferably at Sukhchainpur or Sito Gunno villages.
The department will also work on afforestation, establishing a watchtower and other initiatives on 30-acre land for the safety of wild animals.
“It is a unique wildlife sanctuary that is owned entirely by private individuals or panchayats. It is based in the heartland of the environment-loving Bishnois and we are roping in the community members for wildlife conservation,” he said.
A cluster of 13 villages near Abohar was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1989 on the demand of the Bishnois to protect wild animals on their private lands.
Lomis said the sanctuary is struggling with the problem of dogs and abandoned cattle that stray into the natural habitat of the wild animals.
“Fawns, expecting and ageing deer are the most vulnerable to attacks by feral dogs. The proposed centre will be valuable for the wildlife conservation,” he added.
Wildlife officials said in the absence of dedicated infrastructure, the injured animals are often treated in-situ or brought to the wildlife department’s office at Abohar. “Blackbucks are sensitive and shy and it is a challenging task to treat them. The rescue-cum-rehabilitation centre will be able to protect valuable wild species in a safe environ,” said a field forest official.
Officials said it was found that farmers from the adjoining villages are leaving abandoned cattle in the sanctuary, which has put a stress on the wildlife facility.
“We have also planned a cattle shelter in the sanctuary zone. Community participation will remain a key aspect in the project,” said Lomis.