Odisha’s Blackbuck Population Rises to 8,789 in Ganjam, Reflecting Conservation Success

Berhampur: In a significant achievement for wildlife conservation, the blackbuck population in Odisha’s Ganjam district has surged to 8,789, marking a steady increase over the years. The latest biannual census, conducted by the forest department on January 29, recorded a significant rise from 7,745 in 2023 and 4,082 in 2018, reflecting successful conservation efforts.

According to the census, the blackbuck population consists of 5,241 females, 1,765 males, and 1,783 young. The highest number of blackbucks was recorded in the Ghumusar South forest division (5,627), followed by Berhampur forest division (2,758), while the lowest count of 404 was reported in Ghumusar North division.

Blackbucks, locally known as ‘Krushnasar Murga’, are protected under Schedule-1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended in 1992) and are classified as vulnerable in the Red Data Book. Ganjam district remains the only existing habitat for blackbucks in Odisha, as the population in the Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary (Puri district) vanished by 2012-13.

Forest officials attribute the rising numbers to habitat improvement and protection measures by both local communities and forest staff. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ghumusar South, B.K. Acharya, emphasized that community support has played a crucial role in the conservation of these antelopes. “People in this region protect blackbucks religiously, considering their presence in paddy fields a symbol of prosperity,” said Amulya Upadhyaya, President of the Blackbuck Protection Committee (Ganjam).

With the blackbuck population thriving in Ganjam, efforts are being made to restore their lost habitat in Puri district through translocation initiatives. According to DFO Ghumusar North, Himanshu Sekhar Mohanty, four blackbucks—three females and one male—have already been relocated to Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary, with another four set to be shifted soon.

The decision to relocate blackbucks from Ganjam stems from concerns of overcrowding, ensuring better habitat management while reviving their presence in Puri. The Odisha Forest Department remains committed to strengthening conservation efforts and sustaining the growth of blackbuck populations across the state.