Team Herald
PONDA: A gaur (Indian bison) strayed into the heart of Ponda city on Tuesday night, triggering panic among residents.
Fortunately, as there were few people on the streets, they ran helter skelter to seek shelter and no untoward incident
was reported.
The Forest Department rescue team was successful in sending the bison that strayed from its here into the city limits hack into its habitat after a two-hour-long effort.
Officials stated that around at around 10:30 pm, the bison was first spotted by some locals in a residential area near Maruti Temple in the heart of the city and immediately alerted them. Barking dogs startled the animal, which then struggled to find its way back to the forest and began wandering along the main road. Panicked bikers kept their distance for fear of being attacked, while some residents sought refuge in their cars.
The increasing construction of highways, hill-cutting and urban expansion near forested areas has destroyed wildlife habitat, forcing wild animals to stray into human settlements to forage for food and water. Residents now say their fear moving out of their homes late in the evenings and early mornings.
Two days earlier, another bison was spotted near the Petrol Pump Road in Upper Bazaar. The incident was captured on CCTV footage.
The growing man-animal conflict has become a concerning issue. Recently, a woman in Bondbag lost her life after chasing a wild bison in the late evening, mistaking it for a buffalo. The animal attacked her, and she succumbed to her injuries. Following this tragedy, the forest department dug a one-kilometre-long trench along the village border. However, this measure has not been effective, as wild bison have been spotted twice in Ponda City, usually at midnight when they venture out in search of food and water.
Environmentalists and locals have expressed concern over habitat destruction due to construction and highway expansion. They urge the government to establish wildlife corridors to facilitate safe crossings for animals.
Deputy Conservator of Forests Gis Vargis stated that Ponda’s proximity to forested areas increases the likelihood of wild animals straying into the city while crossing roads or highways. He emphasised the importance of promptly reporting such incidents and advised residents to use the department's toll-free rescue number if a bison is spotted in the city. “Safety measures would be implemented, and plans for wildlife corridors would be discussed with highway authorities,” said Vargis
Environmental activist Sandeep Parkar highlighted that several private forest areas in Curti and Betoda, previously notified as protected, have been de-notified. “Illegal constructions are proliferating in these areas, leaving no grazing grounds for wild bison. As a result, the animals are compelled to venture into residential areas”.
When contacted, officials from the National Highways Authority expressed their willingness to build wildlife corridors along the bypass and four-lane highways in Ponda
wherever feasible.