2,682 wild animals died in Hisar division in 5 yrs

Deepender Deswal

Tribune News Service

Hisar, January 10

In a serious threat to wildlife in the region, RTI information procured by a wildlife activist revealed that a total of 2,682 wild animals have died in past five years in Hisar division comprising Hisar, Fatehabad, Sirsa and Bhiwani district.

The dead creatures include 411 blackbucks and 35 chinkara deers which are listed as an endangered species and are included in the Schedule-I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, 68 peacocks, 74 monkeys, 2,005 roz (neelgai) and 89 other wild animals.

Akhil Bhartiya Jeev Raksha Bishnoi Sabha, which has been in the forefront to protect wildlife, stated that they are extremely concerned over the loss of wildlife in the region which has resulted in loss of animals like blackbucks, chinkara and national bird peacock.

Vinod Karwasra, RTI activist and president of the sabha, informed that he had sought information under RTI Act from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020 from the state government.

Karwasra said that he has also compiled district-wise details of the loss of wildlife in Hisar division and concluded that highest number of wildlife, including 1,271 animals which comprised 216 blackbucks have died in Hisar district. This was followed by Fatehabad (862 wildlife and 176 blackbucks), Bhiwani (360 wildlife and seven blackbucks) and Sirsa (187 wildlife and 12 blackbucks).

The activist said that the deaths of wildlife have been caused due to various reasons including attack by stray dogs, poaching, natural death and death by getting entangled in razor wire fencing erected by the farmers in their fields.