50 spotted deer released in Surat forest to strengthen biodiversity, reduce human-wildlife conflict

Gujarats forest department released 50 spotted deer in the Mandvi Forest Range in Surat district to improve ecosystem health and reduce humanwildlife conflict officials said on SundayThe animals have been moved from the Sasan Gir Wildlife Division in the Saurashtra region an official release saidThe initiative is intended to strengthen the natural prey base for carnivores enhance biodiversity and support longterm ecological balance in South Gujarat it saidThe translocation was carried out in three phases between May and June this yearA total of 21 spotted deer were released on May 23 followed by 16 on June 18 and another 13 on June 24 taking the total number relocated to 50 the release saidThe Gujarat government has been implementing a range of sciencebased forest conservation initiatives aimed at protecting biodiversity while promoting humanwildlife coexistence it saidThe translocation carried out under the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 is part of the states longterm efforts to restore ecological balance by increasing herbivore populations in suitable forest landscapes said state Forest and Environment Minister Arjun ModhwadiaAccording to Minister of State for Forests and Environment Pravin Mali a healthy prey base enables predators to meet their food requirements within forest habitats reducing the likelihood of their movement into humandominated areas in search of preyThis in turn can help lower the incidence of humanwildlife conflict he saidThe forest department has established a spotted deer breeding centre to augment local herbivore populations and a jungle fowl breeding centre to diversify the prey base while enriching avian biodiversity said Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Wildlife and Chief Wildlife Warden Jaipal SinghThe official said that there is a healthy deer population in the Sasan Gir Wildlife Division which forms part of the Gir landscape the worlds only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion The Mandvi Forest Range has several leopards and the deer were relocated keeping this factor in mind he saidSurat Circle Conservator of Forests Puneet Nayyar said the department has also deployed a dedicated Quick Response Team to strengthen conflict response mechanismsThe QRT is equipped with modern equipment to respond promptly to wildlife emergencies and ensure the safety of both local communities and wild animals he saidBefore the translocation forest officials carried out detailed habitat assessments to identify sites capable of sustaining the released animals Nayyar saidTo ensure yearround water availability the department developed 10 permanent water points across the release area providing reliable drinking water for the deer he addedThe department has also established an intensive postrelease monitoring programmeDedicated forest guards and trained trackers are conducting continuous field monitoring while strategically placed camera traps are being used to assess deer movements habitat use health and survival in the wild the release addedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever