BJP has stated that continuous death of black bucks in Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is due to laxity on the part of the state government and forest department officials.
BJP state spokesperson Sandeep Sharma, attacking the government, said out of 72 black bucks, nearly 25 have died but the department officials are claiming only 12 have died and are suppressing the facts.
He said when the Congress was in opposition, even on death of a single wild animal, they used to constitute a probe team and raise voice. But now, all of them have gone silent over the issue.
Even after the Bhilaigarh Congress MLA Chandradev Rai had written a letter in this regard to Chief Minister and Forest Minister, no concrete steps have been taken to curb the death nor has any action been taken against the erring forest officials, he said.
To cover up the issue the officials are claiming the deaths due to natural cause and diseases, he alleged.
Notably, blackbucks have been classified as “near threatened” animals by International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2003.
Union Minister of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has also declared blackbuck as endangered species.
At Barnawapara for conservation of the species an enclosure spread over 5 to 10 hectares was constructed to create a natural habitat for them.
The department was to release it after they adapt to local environment. A total of 72 blackbucks were brought from Rajasthan, which are reported to be dying one by one.
