ERODE: All steps are being taken by the forest department to declare Sujilkuttai near Bhavanisagar a wildlife sanctuary or blackbuck sanctuary as the number of animals in this region is very high.
The Bhavanisagar forest range in Sathyamangalam forest division is home to the blackbuck, the most beautiful antelope in India.
Endangered animal
District Forest Officer Ramasubramanian said: "Blackbuck is an endangered animal, so it comes under Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act 1972. So poachers or others those who create problems for the animal will be punished severely."
District Forest Officer, Sathyamangalam, S. Ramasubramanian there were about 500 blackbuck in the Sujilkuttai to Thengumarahada forest stretch. "This deer variety is a rare one and can be seen only in Sujilkuttai area in Erode district. Similar varieties can be seen in Madurai forest area," Mr Ramasubramanian said.
Many poachers preferred the animal for its flesh and also its horns. But owing to the stringent action taken by the forest department and intensification of patrols, poaching had been controlled, he said.
"Blackbuck normally live in groups and prefer open forest areas.
"Each group consists of a male and 15 or 20 females. Males will fight during the breeding season and the winner will lead the group," he said.
It is one of the fastest animals in India and can run up to 80 kilometres an hour over short distances, said the forest officials.
Graceful leaps
Blackbuck were capable of high, graceful leaps, known as "spronking".
Sathyamangalam forest is well known for its animal population.
Elephant population is very high and people crossing Bhavanisagar, Thalamalai and Arepalayam can witness the movement of these animals in the morning and evening.
