Why in news?
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In 2019, so far, as many as eight blackbuck have died in the Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary (AWS).
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Majority of them succumbed to their injuries, caused by barbed wires while trying to escape from stray dogs.
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Other unnatural reasons for blackbuck deaths include road accidents and falling into water storage tanks and concrete drains.
More in the news
Challenges faced:
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Though Blackbuck is Punjab’s State animal faces a severe threat.
From attacks by stray dogs:
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Most of the blackbuck here are dying due to injuries caused by stray dog attacks.
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Dogs target young deer and expecting females.
barbed wires:
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Locals trying to save their crops from stray cattle have put up barbed wires and nets.
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Such fencing of fields restricts the free movement of blackbuck.
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This results in fatal injuries when they are chased by dogs.
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Fencing agricultural fields, especially with cobra wires that have blade-edged iron wire mesh.
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This has been a major cause of worry, and a key reason behind causing fatal injuries to blackbuck during dog attacks.
Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary (AWS):
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AWS is an open sanctuary, spread across private land in 13 villages.
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The blackbuck was notified as the State animal of Punjab in 1989.
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Its presence in the AWS is due to the unique habitat of semi-arid plains consisting of agricultural fields, intermittent fallow-barren lands, scattered sand dunes, sand mounds and ridges.
Local distress:
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Locals are annoyed with the alleged indifference of the State government towards solving the problem of stray cattle.
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They say that if the problem of stray cattle is resolved, then there would be no need for them to fence their farms with barbed wires.
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It’s not by choice but out of compulsion that farmers have fenced their farm with barbed wire.
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Stray cattle will destroy their standing crop if they don’t take precautionary measures.
Source
The Hindu.