Oh Deer! The Killer Problem

Chital population on the banks of Kousika river has grown in leaps and bounds, compared to those in the wild. Forest officers said population of deer and other herbivores in the wild is under check as there are predators such as tigers and leopards to prey on them. But here at Samandhankottai, they are safe from wild predators, but are often killed by stray dogs and vehicle hits and rarely by poachers. 

From April 1 this year, 12 of them were killed in various accidents. Two were knocked down by a train at Vanjipalayam, seven died in three road accidents (five of them on the same day) as they were chased by stray dogs, while three others were hunted by dogs. Due to the drought, straying of deer into agricultural lands in search of food has gone up. During summer, they rest from till late in the evening and go out in search of fodder and water in the dark. This has resulted in dogs chasing them, and the hapless deer get killed by speeding vehicles on the highway when they run there. Last month four deer fell into a well and two of them were killed.

Gurusamy, a farmer said that poachers who know about the plentiful deer population try to kill the docile creatures. “They tie wire traps (easily visible to us) on the regular path of the animals. In 2007, people were ready to pay Rs. 500 a kg  for deer meat. Now they are ready to pay Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 per kg. There is a demand for their horns too, as people believe it is good if tied to their baby’s bed,” he said. Forest officers said that occasionally they receive  calls on suspected movement of poachers. “We recovered wire traps often, but have not been able to nab the poachers. No poaching case has been registered in the last six months. Every week we conduct surprise raids at night. Villagers are also vigilant,” said an officer and added that these measures have helped them check poaching commendably. 

Seemai Karuvelam cover in those villages are the safe hideouts for the deer. Now that the government has launched a Seemai Karuvelam clearing drive, it would leave the gentle beasts exposed to poachers and other human disturbances. 

Trouble began in the mid 2000s when the requirements of the chital herd increased with their population crossing 200. 

Farmers did not mind the animals grazing a little on their fields in the early years. “They started eating our banana, turmeric, maize, ragi, tomato, brinjal, bitter gourd, chilly, ladies finger, greens and anything we planted,” lamented P Natarajan (62),  farmer, who owns eight acres . Now, due to the drought they are feasting on coconut  and neem trees as well. “Coconut was the only produce that was safe from chitals. But now they have started breaking the coconuts and eating them. We have been pleading for a respite from the deer menace from 2007, but in vain,” he added. 

In 2008, the farmers petitioned the district collector and forest officers to relocate the deer. But, officials explained that they cannot be captured as these animals are very sensitive and delicate and could die of shock. The problem escalated in 2012 and following repeated pleas, the state government agreed to compensate the loss caused by chitals, after Tirupur South MLA K. Thangavel took up the issue in the Assembly.  

“In 2013, we got relief close to Rs. 5.6 lakh. But we did not get compensation for the damages since then. During the prevailing drought, we have been struggling to cultivate in a tenth of the land. But it is becoming feasting fields for chitals, which look starved, due to lack of food and water,” farmer Palanisamy said.  Farmers said that the chital population would drastically reduce over the next few weeks if the problem is not addressed immediately.

While capturing and relocating hundreds of chitals to the forest in the Amaravathi or Udumalpet areas in Tirupur are the primary demands of Avinashi farmers, a few deer lovers feel that they could be conserved at the present locality by establishing the first deer park. 

They said that the Pudupalayam Lake spread over nearly 100 acres has remained dry for more than 25 years and is now a hideout for the deer during the day. With the lake nearly dry for decades, they felt borewells could be dug to provide water for the deer and grass and trees planted as their fodder. “The park can be fenced, barring an entrance for the animals,” said R Gurusamy, a deer lover. 

Many want deer relocated here. Villagers said that sponsors are ready to extend support to establish a deer park. But the Public Works Department (PWD) as well as the Forest Department point to a host of practical difficulties.  A forest officer said that relocating is not possible as they cannot be tranquilised like elephants or tigers. “Because they (deer) are sensitive they run away. If they are sedated they should be revived in less than 20 minutes, else they will die. But it will take over 90 minutes to take them to the nearest forest,” the officer added.  “We are trying to preserve them in the prevailing environment. We have sent a detailed project proposal to our higher ups for approval,” the officer added.