Madhya Pradesh Uses Helicopter Technique to Relocate Crop-Raiding Blackbucks, Nilgais

Madhya Pradesh has begun using a helicopter-driven boma technique to relocate blackbucks and nilgais that have been damaging crops in western parts of the state. The initiative, launched by the forest department, aims to provide relief to farmers by safely moving the animals to protected wildlife habitats.

The operation started on Monday in Shajapur district, where large populations of blackbucks and nilgais have caused extensive crop losses. On the first day, 45 blackbucks were captured and relocated to the Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, located about 275 km away.

Forest officials said the exercise is being carried out with the support of a 15-member expert team from South Africa, where the helicopter boma technique is widely used for mass wildlife capture with minimal stress to animals. The initial phase will continue for around ten days, after which the method may be replicated in other districts and extended to nilgais.

The state plans to relocate around 400 blackbucks and 100 nilgais to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, which is also home to African cheetahs and over 35 leopards. Officials clarified that the relocated blackbucks have been released in areas of the sanctuary free from large predators to stabilise their population.