Wildlife Thrives in Ganjam: A Surge in Indian Bison and Rare Species Sightings

Bhanjanagar's Flourishing Wildlife

Bhanjanagar: The Ghumusar forest division in Ganjam district has become a thriving sanctuary for wildlife, particularly noted for the increasing population of the rare Indian bison, also known as gaur. Alongside these majestic creatures, there has been a rise in the numbers of black panthers, elephants, and spotted deer. Locals have even reported sightings of a rare melanistic leopard, commonly called a ‘black panther’, which has sparked significant interest among wildlife enthusiasts. Forest officials credit this positive trend to stricter enforcement of forest regulations, which has led to a marked decrease in illegal logging activities. The implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has also reduced the demand for firewood, further aiding in the conservation of forest areas. While there are still some challenges such as encroachment and poaching in certain regions, the Ghumusar North division remains largely safeguarded.

Last year, there was a notable decline in forest fires, attributed to enhanced public awareness initiatives. Currently, it is estimated that over a hundred gaurs are thriving within the Malati reserve forest, which is central to this division. To accommodate the growing population, the Forest Department is working on creating new water bodies and restoring existing ponds, while also preparing grazing areas. Plans for watchtowers are underway to better monitor the movements of these animals.

Although an official census of the gaur population has not yet been conducted, preparations for one are in progress. Gaurs are typically preyed upon by tigers; however, the lack of resident big cats in the area means that these bison face little predation, allowing their numbers to grow relatively unchecked. Recently, a transient tiger from Maharashtra was reported to have killed two gaurs in an isolated incident. Besides Malati, sightings of gaurs have also been noted in the Chandragiri and Ambajhari ranges of the Ghumusar division. Other regions in the state, such as the Mahanadi wildlife sanctuary and Debrigarh sanctuary, also host gaur populations. Divisional Forest Officer Himansu Sekhar Mohanty emphasized that all necessary measures are being taken to protect wildlife, especially rare species, stating, “We are implementing dedicated measures for their safety.”

In a related note, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Suresh Panth is currently on a five-day inspection tour of Ganjam, Kandhamal, and Boudh districts, which began on Friday. He is reviewing various forestry operations within the Berhampur forest division and assessing activities in both the Ghumusar South and North divisions, including the Digapahandi range.