Frequent movement of deer into human settlements in the Ichak forest zone of Hazaribag has raised concerns among residents over habitat conditions and management. In the past six days, three deer have been rescued from human habitations, highlighting a recurring issue.
Recent Rescue Incident
On Friday evening, a barking deer wandered into Jogidih-Jagda village. Villagers ensured the animal was not harmed, though a few locals sustained minor injuries during the rescue effort. Acting on the directions of Divisional Forest Officer Maun Prakash, a team comprising head forest guard Gopi Paswan, Virendra Kumar, Bhola Sahu, and in-charge forester Vidya Bhushan Kesri reached the spot and sent the animal for treatment.
Forest Department's Response
Kesri ruled out the lack of availability of food and water for animals in forests. “Wild animals entering human settlements during summer is not new,” he claimed, suggesting that such incidents are part of natural behavior during hotter months. The forest department appealed to people not to approach or provoke animals and to inform authorities for proper action.
Residents' Concerns
Residents, however, questioned the recurrence of such incidents despite dedicated funds being allocated to the forest department. They expressed worries about habitat degradation and insufficient management measures that might be driving deer toward villages. The department has not yet provided a detailed explanation about the underlying causes.
About the Author
Vishvendu Jaipuriar covers Hazaribag and Chatra districts, focusing on crime, politics, and human interest stories. He has covered programs of prominent national and regional leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their visits to Hazaribag and Chatra. He also covered the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case in depth, with a focus on Hazaribag as a key epicenter.
