3 fawns take deer count at Mahrori park to 18

BD Kasniyal

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Pithoragarh, August 19

The number of deer has increased at the Mahrori musk deer farm in Berinag subdivision of Pithoragarh district. Three new members were born at the protected farm this month.

Farm in charge Dr LMS Nayal said with new members coming into the family, the total number of musk deer had gone up to 18. “The three fawns, which were born to Ananya, Nandini and Bhagyashri at a one-month interval, are hale and hearty, and will be named after some dignitary visits the farm,” he said.

The centre, which was opened in 1976 after the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi expressed concern at the decreasing number of musk deer, now has eight male and 10 female musk deer, he said.

“The number has dwindled from 12 to 24 over the years as the weather pattern has been affecting the health of the musk deer in the farm,” said Dr Nayal.

The Ayurvedic and Siddha Medicines Department of the Central Government at Mehruri in Berinag, Kanchula Khark in Chamoli district and at Kufri in Himachal Pradesh started protecting musk deer as they had started disappearing due to extensive poaching.

“The centres at Kufri and Mehrori are still working to breed the fast disappearing species, as the female deer is being killed for the scented fluid, known as kasturi, while the male is being hunted for a filament to prepare ayurvedic drugs for several diseases described in the old Indian medical system,” Dr Nayal added.