This is a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife photographers. You do not have to take a safari to view endemic wildlife. Blackbucks thrive like cattle in these villages. Residents of 70 villages in Ganjam district sustain more than 3,000 of the blackbucks.
Blackbucks are not woodland creatures. They thrive in open savannah, and agricultural fields are after all man-made grasslands. Mughal and colonial hunting had reduced the numbers of these beige coloured wonderful creatures.
Today, blackbucks live in small pockets scattered around the country, such as Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary in Karnataka. They enjoy maximum protection by law. But in Ganjam, these animals live in villages instead of well-guarded sanctuaries.
These animals subsist on village pastures called ‘gowchar’ that they share with livestock. In summer, wild grasses shrivel up, and there’s nothing else for the wild ungulates to eat. This is the season when herds of does nibble on the new shoots of cereals and pulses, while the bucks descend on the fields in winter.
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In such a situation, any farmer would fence his fields to keep the herbivores out. But not these peasants who think their crops belong to the blackbucks too.
Most villagers venerate the antelopes as symbols of Lord Krishna. Others think the animals increase productivity by grazing on their crops. Some think they are beautiful and enjoy watching them. And the majority feel the species needs protection.
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Whatever may be the reason for their conservation, blackbucks have found a home in Ganjam. And if you are a wildlife enthusiast, this is a great place to view them from close proximity in their natural environs.
You can also visit Taptapani Spring, Gopalpur Beach and Kalijai island in Ganjam. You can also visit Taratarini temple, perched on a hill above Rushikulya river.
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There are regular trains from other major cities of the country to Ganjam. Ganjam does not have a bus stand. Nearest option is Berhempur. Ganjam is 280 km away from Bhubaneshwar, which has the nearest airport.
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