Blackbuck population at Vallanaadu Blackbuck Sanctuary, situated about 20 km from here on the Tirunelveli–Tuticorin Highway, has increased 300 per cent, thanks to the protective measures being taken by the Department of Forest and the awareness the forest personnel have created in the nearby villages over the years.

Blackbuck population, which stood at just 37 in 2010, has increased to 120, according to a survey conducted by the forest personnel last December.

As the animal was found in sizable numbers at Point Calimere, Sathyamangalam, Nagapattinam and Vallanaadu, the State government accorded sanctuary status to these places with the objective of increasing the animal’s population. A blackbuck reserve was created at Vallanaadu on 1,641.21 hectares in 1987. Moreover, the government also gave protection to this animal, known as common Indian antelope with a dark back and spiral horns, through its Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

When the forest personnel conducted the survey in the beginning of 2010 at Vallanaadu sanctuary, a haven for spotted deer, sambar, jackal, hare, mongoose, snakes, scorpions and birds, only 26 blackbucks could be found and the number rose to 37 in December that year, and 79 in the beginning of 2013. A fresh survey in December revealed presence of 120 animals. C. Shenbagamurthy, District Forest Officer, Tuticorin.

Attributes to the sharp increase in blackbuck population to constant patrolling by the forest personnel in the sanctuary,which has completely stopped poaching, and trespassing of strangers and stray dogs into the reserve.

To increase the extent of grazing land, the department planted grass on two hectares on a trial basis. When the trial had yielded desirable results, the area has been increased to five hectares.

“For providing drinking water to the animals, we’ve sunk deep borewells with tanks at four points. Hence animals need not come out of the sanctuary in search of water,” says C. Nellainayagam, Ranger, Srivaikundam Range.

Moreover, the forest personnel conduct awareness programmes in the nearby villages so that the villagers would not harm the blackbucks accidentally straying into the habitations. “The trekking path we’ve created for six km inside the sanctuary is being used for taking students into the deeper parts of the forest to explain to them the need for conserving the wildlife and the ecosystem of this region,” Mr. Nellainayagam says.

The Department of Forest has proposed to the State government to convert this place as an Eco Tourism Centre.