Bhubaneswar, March 27: The Hirakud Wildlife Division recently hosted the first-ever Indian Bison Festival at Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary to raise awareness about the conservation of the Indian bison (gaur). The event, held at Zeropoint in the sanctuary, was led by Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Anshu Pragyan Das.
The festival highlighted the crucial role of Indian bison as “ecological engineers” in the Debrigarh-Hirakud landscape. “Indian bison are one of India’s four mega herbivores, and the event aimed to promote awareness about their importance and protection,” said DFO Das.
A census in November 2024 revealed that Debrigarh is home to 669 bison, with 30% being juveniles. While the sanctuary can support more, managing the population’s sex ratio and ecosystem health is key. The increase in bison calves this summer is a positive sign, but the protection of juveniles remains challenging, as their predictability makes them vulnerable to predators like leopards.
The festival featured discussions on bison ecology and a field visit, allowing participants to observe these creatures in their natural habitat. DFO Das emphasized that Debrigarh is the only place in Odisha where people can directly learn about the ecology of these magnificent animals, showcasing the success of ongoing conservation efforts.