Meera Bhardwaj @ Madhugiri
The blackbucks of Jayamangali thrive more outside the Conservation Reserve (CR) rather than inside the protected area. Presently, this protected area with regulated human activities has a significant population of about 2145 blackbucks as per the 2021 census.
Although the major focus of the Karnataka Forest Department has been “habitat improvement and grassland management” of Jayamangali Blackbuck CR, the sighting of these antelopes is more outside and can be seen all around. Further, the frequent sightings of so many moving herds in the surrounding village is heartwarming.
OPEN GRASSLAND SPECIES
The blackbucks are basically an open grassland species and even shun sparsely forested lands. However, the CR area has a good tree cover which is likely to drive out the blackbucks to the nearby scrubland and grasslands as also dry agricultural patches.
Although there is public access to the conservation reserve, visitors are rare as the area is pretty remote and not easily accessible. There is conditional access to the local communities and one can see grazing herds of goat and sheep.
No firewood can be collected from inside the CR while no plantation activity has been taken up in the CR. Since this has been notified as a conservation reserve for protection of its biodiversity, Jayamangali allows some human activities like grazing.
The Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve is dotted with invasive species of Eucalyptus, Acacia, Prosopis juliflora and many shrubs. Below picture shows how blackbucks roam around outside the reserve.
RESEARCH STUDIES
Further, a recent research study “Blackbuck conservation in fragmented Landscapes: Evaluating habitat use in and around a conservation reserve” published by B R Manoj Kumar, T Ganesh and K S Seshadri in the “Journal for Nature Conservation” state that the Savanna grasslands of Jayamangali are fragmented by plantations and by croplands outside it.
The researchers state, “The CR is unprotected and rapidly declining. The estimated occupancy of blackbucks was not better inside the PA. The livestock and blackbucks appear to share the same habitat and competing for forage. The blackbucks are negatively affected by the number of shrubs. Furthermore, areas inside the conservation reserve comprised plantations of exotic trees, which would need to be removed.”
CONTIGUOUS POPULATION
The Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve, with a large contiguous population of this graceful and beautiful antelope, was notified in 2007. The Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve is situated in Maidanahalli village, Madhugiri taluk, Tumakuru district, Karnataka (bordering Andhra Pradesh) in India.
With an area of about 799.89 acres, this conservation reserve has a significant population of 20-30 herds of blackbucks which are sighted more outside the CR than inside, say forest officials. However, they do come to the conservation reserve now and then for food and other activities.
RISE IN BLACKBUCK NUMBERS
According to forest officials, the population of blackbucks has risen from 750 during 2006-07 to 2145 during 2021.
YEAR POPULATION
2007 750
2021 2145
The blackbuck census was conducted using the Line Transect method.
PROTECTION MEASURES
Forest sources say, “There is neither any issue of encroachment of habitat nor any incidents of poaching. Earlier, grape cultivators were all removed and further CPT (cattle proof trenches) has been installed to fortify the boundary.”
Facing no threats of hunting, the CR has one anti-poaching camp with three members (two MR watchers and one beat forester) in each camp. The anti-poaching camp has five members working in two shifts. Apart from this CR, the beat forester has to protect other areas which comes under his responsibilities.
MAXIMUM SIGHTINGS OUTSIDE
Naturalist Siraj Ahmed says, “There are maximum sightings outside as the Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve has dense vegetation – trees and shrubs. The blackbucks are visible around an area of 10-15 kms in and around this area that is part of the Deccan Plateau.”
Native to India and Nepal, this medium sized Indian Antelope inhabiting grasslands is a Schedule-1 species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The blackbucks have been listed as “Near Threatened Species” under IUCN.
BIODIVERSITY RICH P ROTECTED AREA
The Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve is home to other species like leopards, spotted deer, mongoose, Indian Civet, small mammals and butterflies.
There have been two sightings of a leopard in this CR. Further, pug marks and scat of Indian Sloth Bear have been observed.
More than 120 bird species have been recorded and observed in Jayamangali which includes many migratory species, raptors, lapwings, larks, and many ground birds.
After the monsoons, one can see many bird species and all through the winter season, Jayamangali is a haven for many avian visitors including migratory birds.
(PHOTO CREDIT: ALL IMAGES BY MEERA BHARDWAJ AT JAYAMANGALI, MADHUGIRI TALUK, TUMAKURU DISTRICT, KARNATAKA)