PROTECT THE BLACK BUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Protect the BlackbuckBackgroundBlackbuck (Antelope cervicapra) is the only representative of genus antelope found in India. It is one of the most graceful animals and used to be seen in thousands at the beginning of this century all throughout the plains of India except the Western coast. Due to extensive poaching and habitat loss, blackbuck populations have been reduced drastically. Now they can be seen in a few protected areas like the Guindy National park and IITM campus, Point Calimere and Vellanadu Sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu and Rollapadu (Andhra Pradesh), Velavadar (Gujarat) and Chilka (Orissa) other than few parts of Rajasthan and Hariyana.In IIT Madras campus too, their numbers have declined from hundreds in the eighties to less than 20 in 2003. Blackbuck requires open grasslands with intermittent tall grass or bushes (for delivery, fawn nursing and to seek protection against predators as well as the rain and wind). This is unlike the spotted deer, which can survive in dense forests and bush jungles. Blackbucks are also very territorial and sensitive to environmental pressures.Similarly, the female blackbuck requires tall grass or small bushes to delivers fawns (one per year mostly). The blackbuck fawns are quite weak during the first few weeks and can be easily predated by dogs. Therefore it is very essential to have undisturbed open areas with small bush/tall grass cover for the healthy survival of young blackbuck. Their capability to run at speeds of 70mph makes them the fastest surviving species on the subcontinent and protects them against most predators alive today. Due to shrinkage and fragmentation of habitat everywhere, the pressure on existing habitats is quite high. This also tells us that it is inappropriate to think of shifting and relocating them elsewhere. In addition, the casualties associated with such processes are quite high. It is important to protect them in distributed and more number of habitats, wherever possible. The major reasons for the decline of blackbuck population in IITM campus can be attributed to the following:-Most of the open areas have been used for construction without realizing that blackbuck require open areas and private space for rearing the young -Loss of one of their original and favourite areas, like the erstwhile NCC ground -Destruction of native wild plants, grass and herbs without realizing their role in sustaining a species like blackbuck by creating lawns or just by clearing plants annually-Introduction of non-edible, exotic grass species, sprayed with pesticides in the name of lawns is shrinking vital space of the blackbuck further-Fencing of available natural, open areas and creation of concrete parking spaces in many small open areas which used to be blackbuck food sources-Hectic building activities in the campus especially in the prime habitat area has affected them heavily due to construction activities, presence of large number of workers, movement of trucks and lorries, presence of construction materials in the open, dumping of huge amounts of construction debris in various places
-Killing by stray dogs. Stray dogs are on the rise in the campus, which can be attributed to the availability of waste food disposed in open areas and forests and deforestation leading to urbanization of different parts of the campus.-Speeding vehicles and increasing number of vehicles in the campus. Number of blackbuck killed by vehicles almost matches the numbers killed by stray dogs in the recent years.
Though we have only limited area in IIT campus, by judicious planning and willing heart, we can protect this national heritage in our campus.How can we protect blackbuck in the campus?The decline in population of the blackbuck is an indicator to the environmental degradation that is around us. The campus is becoming more and more urbanized and loosing its basic habitat requirements for wildlife like blackbuck and many other species which require less interventions from humans.
To protect an endangered species in an isolated habitat special care has to be taken. The isolated habitat status makes them all the more vulnerable, unless habitat is maintained according to their survival needs. Maintain their habitat area as open grasslands and avoid planting more trees in this area. Trees will not allow grass and herbs to grow, on which the blackbuck survives. Avoid construction and concreting, especially in the blackbuck habitat Avoid creating lawns and return the existing lawns back to nature to recover native species. Protecting trees alone will not help humans as well as other animals who feed on the ground. A habitat is healthy due to various species that exist there in harmony. Protect bio-diversity by protecting the native wild plants and trees.Refrain from creating fences on campus. Take pro-active steps to remove fences around your buildings. This will increase the habitat area for animals.Drive carefully and slowly in the campus. There have been many cases where Blackbuck and Spotted deer were killed by vehicles.What are Endangered Species?Endangered animals or species are those whose numbers are at a critically low level and whose habitats are so drastically reduced or damaged that they are in imminent danger of extinction.In India, the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 provides four schedules categorizing the Fauna of India based on their conservation status. At present, approximately 81 species of mammals, 38 species of birds, and 18 species of amphibians and reptiles are considered to be endangered in India.Why should we conserve Endangered Species?We will not be able to survive by ourselves. This is because all life on earth is inter-related and interconnected. Living things are dependent upon their physical environment - the land, water and air. Plants and vegetation form the basic life support providers on earth - Oxygen- and help to recycle water into the water cycle. They also provide food and home for animals, insects and birds pollinate flowers, animals help in dispersal of seeds of plants, and parasites infest plants or animals. Nature provides an extremely complex and intricate network of living things delicately balanced and adapted to inhabit the diverse climatic and geographical regions on our planet. Many of these intricate relationships are not understood and that gives all the mores reasons to protect this natural wealth.This is our Natural Heritage - A Heritage on which we ourselves among many species of animals depend for our sustenance and survival.