Known by the scientific name of Cervus Duvauceli, the Barasingha or Swamp deer abounds in marshy lands of Haridwar Najibabad Rasiabadh forest range. With a population of more than 200 swamp deer among other wildlife, the Jhilmil Jheel Reserve in Haridwar is a major attraction for the tourists and wildlife enthusiasts.
Out of 3783 hectares of Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve area in Haridwar district, nearly 148 hectares of marshy grounds is natural habitat of Swamp Deer which is one of the endangered species of the world.
The Swamp Deer derives its name, Barasingha, from its large antlers. A male deer has huge antlers which can grow to length of 75 cm.
An adult male Swamp Deer has huge antlers, which branch to over twelve points, giving it the name Barasingha in Hindi, meaning 12- antlered deer.
Swamp Deer usually move in herds, consisting of ten to twenty members. In mating season, the number of members of a herd goes even to sixty.
Speaking to The Pioneer, Haridwar divisional forest officer H K Singh said, “Due to floods in 2013, it was feared that many of its populace must have been washed out or got submerged, but as per the February census of 2014, 221 such deer were spotted in three herds.” He said, “Till April, the male and female herds roam separately. April is the time when the males shed their antlers. So counting in March is the perfect timing for the census. In this financial year, preferably in March, the next census would be done.”
The forest officers have also given a proposal for using microchip to understand the necessary changes in habitat improvement, migration behaviours and threats caused due to in-breeding from other neighbouring forests. Not much research has been done on this endangered species till date, says Dr Pramod Joshi, head of Zoology department of Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya.
Major threats to the species arise from deforestation, along with the draining of swamps and marshes for farming. This has led to the destruction of their natural habitat. At the same time, Barasinghas are hunted for their horns which is banned now. Due to increased habitation of human in forests, the probability of catching disease from the domestic cattle increases, which leads to decline in their population.