Now, authorities to make Sanjay Gandhi National Park more suitable for deer

In addition to keeping the welfare of leopards a top priority, the authorities at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) are concentrating on take care of the deer there. The forest department intends to develop a grazing ground for the hoofed animal.

Informing about the availability of palatable grass there, Vikas Gupta, director and chief conservator of forest, SGNP said, "There are some animals who prefer unobstructed area for their own safety and the deer is one such mammal. About 8-10 acres of open grass land is available."

The location inside the park is where Maharashtra Agricultural Development and Fertilizer Promotion Corporation Limited (MAFCO) once had under them. Now, with MAFCO out of the SGNP, during monsoon, grass grows on this patch and deer can be spotted in large numbers.

Gupta added, "We need to remove some weeds and ensure that during summer, the grass does not dry up, thereby rendering the area unfit for the animals." Solar operated water pumps may be utilised to regularly sprinkle water so that the grass is available for deer throughout the year. Additional measures to keep moisture levels under check may also be undertaken.