Conservation of blackbucks !
September 2010; A small population of nine blackbucks (deer) were discovered in Khairapur of Bardiya district (mid-west region) in 1976. Khairapur is the only place in Nepal that shelters the almost extinct population of blackbucks locally known as Krishnasar.
The Government of Nepal acquired 172 hectares of private land for Krishnasar, which is now known as Krishnasar Conservation Area. Thanks to this conservation effort'today there are 216 blackbucks in this conserved area, a significant growth!
The Western Terai Landscape Complex Project (WTLCP) supported by UNDP and other donors has been actively supporting the conservation of this endangered antelope. WTLCP is working for environmental sustainability (MDG # 7) by making poverty reduction (MDG #1) a key way of getting local people conserve and improve animal and plant habitats outside the protected areas. The project's contribution to local livelihoods and promoting tourism will help peaceful development.
In 2007, the project facilitated to develop the Blackbuck Conservation Action Plan. This Action Plan was instrumental to the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation to declare the area as Krishnasar Conservation Area in 2009.
While working closely with 84 Users Groups (42 Male and 42 Female) and four Users Committees, the WTLCP has been educating the local community about the blackbuck conservation and supporting their livelihood issues in order to involve them in conservation endeavours.
The project has also formed 5 eco-clubs in schools that are around the blackbuck conservation area'where visits are conducted for tourists and school children.
Besides, the WTLCP has also been providing watch-guard support to check cattle grazing inside conservation area that may transmit infectious disease such as the 'foot and mouth disease' in blackbucks .
Also arrangements for recharged waterholes are made inside the conservation area during dry season so that the blackbucks do not come out and fall prey to wild animals and poaching. The farmers around the conservation area are engaged in fish farming supported by the WTLCP. The fish ponds are made at the critical spots of conservation area to protect the blackbucks from other animals while at the same time supporting livelihood to local farmers.