India deploys Boma technique for first time to relocate blackbucks in Madhya Pradesh

In Madhya Pradeshrsquos Shajapur district forest officials with support from South African experts successfully captured 45 blackbucks using the Boma technique a modern lowstress wildlife capture method that involves the use of a helicopter The animals were later relocated to the Gandhi Sagar SanctuaryAccording to officials this pilot initiative is designed to reduce crop damage caused by blackbucks and nilgais while promoting a balanced wildlife population If successful the project is expected to be implemented in other regions across the countryThis marks the first time the Boma technique has been used in IndiaAdditional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests APCCF ndash Wildlife Madhya Pradesh Forest Department Krishna Moorthy said On Deepavali day the MP Forest Department with technical support from Conservation Solutions South Africa captured 45 blackbucks using the Boma technique in Shajapur district This is the first time in India that blackbucks have been captured with the help of a helicopterThe use of a helicopter provides the advantage of locating the herds and slowly guiding them into the Boma Manoeuvring the herds amidst electric lines and agricultural fields was challenging but it was skillfully handled by the South African pilot in coordination with the Indian pilot he saidThe objective of this initiative is to reduce crop depredation and humanwildlife conflict The captured animals were safely released into forest areas The MPFD has previously conducted successful mass captures of gaur barasingha blue bull and spotted deer and now blackbuck he addedAI misuse creates tiger scare near Sanjay Gandhi National Park in MumbaiArtificial Intelligence AI is posing an unlikely challenge for the forest department and wildlife conservationists Since the past week an AIgenerated image of a Royal Bengal tiger in Mulund near Sanjay Gandhi National Park SGNP has been going viral on social media sparking unnecessary panic among locals After the image was forwarded to groups and NGOs working for wildlife conservation they made it clear to residents that the picture is fake as there are no Royal Bengal tigers in SGNPForest department officials are working to raise awareness among locals urging them not to fall for AIgenerated images They advise the public to report any attempts to spread misinformation directly to the department Advocate Pawan Sharma founder and president Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare RAWW said that AI is a powerful manmade invention and tool but it should not be misused to create content that spreads panic and distressldquoIt takes years for the forest department and conservation groups to spread awareness to promote coexistence and show wildlife in a positive light Such attempts reverse our efforts People should be aware of such misleading and fraudulent information One must not share or spread news or information without verification from the authorities concernedCreators of such content should be aware that they can be in legal trouble if the authorities track them down as such action amount to a violation of laws such as the Information Technology IT Act 2000 Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 Disaster Management Act 2005 Wildlife Protection Act 1972 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023rdquo said SharmaLeopard scareA video claiming to show four leopards roaming on a road in Chiplun Ratnagiri district recently went viral However it was later confirmed that the video was fake In Nashik too panic was created due to AIgenerated images of a leopard roaming the streets of the city