In a bid to curb man-animal conflict, Odisha forest department has engaged local people for night vigil to foil intrusion of animals into peripheral human settlements of Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary.
Man-animal conflict occurs in the area as spotted deer and wild boar frequently enter village areas during night hours and target agriculture fields causing extensive damage to standing crops and vegetable cultivation.
The locals have been engaged as it is not possible for ground-level forest staff to prevent animals straying in the 672 sq km sanctuary area, said Bimal Prasanna Acharya, Divisional Forest Officer Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) forest division.
More than 50 people who are well versed with the area's topography and know the routes taken by animals have been given the contractual patrolling assignment, he said, adding they are doing an "excellent job" and lending much-needed support to forest staff in driving away straying wild boars and deer.
The empanelled people were trained by forest department, provided with fire crackers and batons to chase away the boars and deer. They are also paid daily honorarium of Rs 225, he said.
This does not only save the crop areas from being vandalised by the animals but also provide income sources to the unemployed local youths, he said.
"We are thankful to the forest department. It has given us the scope to earn," said a local Nakul Sahu, engaged in night patrolling.
Mangrove forest cover within the sanctuary is home to nearly 1,500 of wild boars and around 3,500 spotted deer who are plant eating herbivorous animals. The sharp increase in the population of these animals in recent years has emerged as a major cause of worry for wildlife sanctuary officials.
Problems arise as these boars often go berserk at the sight of humans and in self defence attack. This leads to retaliatory attacks by villagers and the animals are killed.
