Chitwan Prepares to Relocate Endangered Blackbuck to Tikouli Conservation Center

Chitwan. Preparations are in the final stages to relocate the endangered blackbuck, found only in western Nepal, to Chitwan. Efforts are underway to bring 18 blackbucks from Shuklaphanta National Park and Bardia Blackbuck Conservation Area to the conservation center constructed in the Tikouli area of Ratnanagar Municipality-9.

The campaign, initiated by Ratnanagar Municipality seven years ago, is nearing fruition after the relocation of blackbucks was prioritized among the first four decisions made by the Minister of Forests and Environment, Gita Chaudhary, after assuming office. The process was expedited after a technical team recently suggested removing some trees that were growing inwards and leaning outwards around the conservation center.

Ratnanagar Municipality has stated that the necessary infrastructure for housing the blackbucks in Tikouli has been completed. Mayor Prahlad Sapkota informed that the construction of physical infrastructure, including fencing, is complete. He said, "Fencing and other physical infrastructure are complete. The blackbucks are being brought at the expense of the municipality."

According to him, preparations are being made to bring 18 blackbucks in the first phase, comprising 12 females and 6 males. The conservation program will be operated with the technical support of the Division Forest Office, Chitwan. He mentioned that the only remaining task is the management of some trees near the grasslands in the areas prepared for the blackbucks.

According to Sapkota, approximately NPR 30 million has been spent so far on the construction of the blackbuck conservation center. "We expect that bringing the blackbucks here will further boost eco-tourism," he said.

Mayor Sapkota stated that there is a plan to connect blackbuck conservation with eco-tourism. "Bringing and raising blackbucks here and conserving them is one aspect, but connecting it with eco-tourism is also our goal. The construction of a green park is also underway in that area."

Plans are in place to utilize the water from the Khageri River near the center for boating and to further facilitate the operation of the canal towards western Chitwan. "The concept of eco-tourism has been advanced with the objective of attracting tourists visiting Sauraha to Tikouli," he said.

Fencing, grasslands, and two ponds have already been constructed in an 18-hectare area of the Panchakanya Community Forest in Tikouli. Mayor Sapkota said that some trees need to be removed to protect the blackbucks from the risk of leopards. He expressed confidence that the blackbucks would be brought to Chitwan soon after completing the necessary procedures.

Chief Divisional Forest Officer of the Division Forest Office, Chitwan, Bishnu Prasad Acharya, said that the final stages of blackbuck relocation are underway. He informed that it has been concluded that some trees around the enclosure need to be removed due to the risk of wild animals, including leopards, climbing trees and attacking blackbucks.

He said, "Based on field inspection and study, we have concluded that some trees growing inwards and leaning outwards around the center need to be removed." According to Acharya, approximately 106 trees outside the conservation area and 23 trees inside need to be managed. "Now, only the relocation and tree management work remain," he said.

He informed that a report would be sent to the Department of Forests through the Provincial Forest Directorate and the Ministry to complete the necessary legal procedures for removing the Sal trees. "As this is a program prioritized by the government, we are confident that the ministry will also move forward with this program with importance," he said. "Once the tree management work is completed, it can be considered that about 90 percent of the process is complete."

The study began in 2077 BS, and the work to build the necessary infrastructure for bringing the blackbucks started in 2078 BS. The relocation process was delayed for some time due to various technical reasons. The blackbuck is an endangered species listed in Nepal's protected wildlife list.

In 2033 BS, its population was limited to nine in the Khairapur area of Bardia. After various conservation efforts, its population has increased significantly. According to the Ministry of Forests and Environment, 42 blackbucks were previously relocated from the Central Zoo and Khairapur to Hirapur Phanta within Shuklaphanta National Park in Kanchanpur.

The ministry stated that the current blackbuck population in Khairapur and Shuklaphanta, as well as in their natural habitats, has exceeded 500.