Indian Bison : Study
The Indian bison population in Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary has recorded a robust jump of 189 individuals within a year, taking the total head count to 848.
- It is the largest species among the wild cattle and the Bovidae.
- These are indigenous to the South and Southeast parts of Asia.
- They are primarily found in evergreen and semi-evergreen forests along with moist deciduous forests with open grasslands.
- They prefer hilly-terrains with large and undisturbed forest tracts and abundant water.
- Conservation Status of Indian Bison:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wild Life Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
- It plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance in forests besides serving as important prey species for tigers.
- They also help shape vegetation dynamics and contribute to seed dispersal.
- Threats: Loss of habitat throughout most of their range. It is susceptibility to domestic cattle diseases like rinderpest, hoof, or mouth disease.
- Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary is situated in the Bargarh district of Odisha.
- It is located near Hirakud Dam (the longest dam in India and the longest earthen dam in the world) on the Mahanadi River.
- Most of the plant sanctuary is covered with mixed and dry deciduous forest.
- Major trees found here are Sal, Asana, Bija, Aanla, Dhaura, etc..
- Indian leopards, sloth bears, chousingha (four-horned antelope), sambar deer, gaurs (Indian bison).
