Why black Buck and Blue are being airlifted to Kuno and Gandhi Sagar?

The Madhya Pradesh Forest Department will soon transfer Black Buck and Blue from Shajapur district to Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary using a helicopter. The Aviation Department has finalized Jet Serve Aviation Private Limited for the task. The company will use a Robinson single-engine helicopter, which charges ₹3 lakh per hour.

A senior official from the Aviation Department confirmed that Jet Serve was added to the government’s approved panel just a few days ago. The Forest Department has been informed and preparations are underway.

Earlier, the department issued two tenders to select a helicopter operator. Jet Serve had applied during the first round but quoted ₹3.5 lakh per hour. The government rejected the bid, calling it too expensive. In the second attempt, the company reduced the rate, and the deal was finalized.

The need for this transfer arises because a large number of black Buck and nilgai roam the Shajapur and Ratlam districts. These animals often damage crops, leading to complaints from farmers. The issue reached the state assembly, and officials decided to shift the animals to protected areas.

By moving the black Buck to Kuno and Gandhi Sagar, officials aim to solve two problems—crop damage for farmers and the need for prey animals in areas where cheetahs have been released.

Over a year ago, the Forest Department invited a team of South African experts to help catch the Buck. The team even sent equipment by sea to aid the effort. But without a helicopter partner, the transfer stalled.

Before approaching the Aviation Department, the Forest Department had floated its own tender to find an aviation company. That attempt failed. It was only in the second round, with help from the Aviation Department, that Jet Serve Aviation Private Limited was finalized.

The actual relocation process is expected to begin soon.

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