With the prediction of extremely severe cyclone Fani which is likely to make landfall not far from the Balukhand sanctuary in Puri coast, environmentalists are worried for the endangered blackbucks.
As Fani’s speed during the landfall is likely to be 200 kmph, it is likely to damage the entire sanctuary, apprehend wildlife experts.
Over 300 blackbucks and spotted deer are spotted in the Balukhand sanctuary. In fact, the region is famous for the occurrence of a large number of blackbucks and spotted deer. The sanctuary is along sea coast between Puri and Konark and extends from Banki Muhan near Puri to Keluni Muhan near Daluakani.
Looking at the imminent danger, forest officials have tried to help the endangered species by generating awareness among the local people to give them shelter in their homes during the cyclone.
Senior Forest officials have generated a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the purpose, said sources. ACS Forests and Environment Suresh Chandra Mohapatra has also moved to Puri for supervising the evacuation as well as rescue and relief operations.
The sanctuary is filled with lush green vegetation, cashew and casuarina plantations and mangrove forest. It's undisturbed sandy beaches offer high potentialities for developing as a major eco-tourism. It is home to herds of herbivores(spotted deer),monkeys, jungle cats, hyenas, monitor lizards, and snakes etc.
The Olive Ridley sea turtles are seen nesting in the beach.
The Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary is traversed by the rivers and rivulets such as Nuanai, Kusabhadra, Kadua and Prachi.