Africa’s Boma Technique | 23 Mar 2022

Why in News?

Recently, Africa’s Boma technique was undertaken at Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district.

• It was undertaken for capturing chitals or spotted deer and translocating them to Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve, so as to improve the prey base.
• The IUCN Red List Status of Chital is Least Concern.

What is Boma capturing Technique?

• The Boma capturing technique is popular in Africa.
• It involves luring animals into an enclosure by chasing them through a funnel-like fencing.
• The funnel tapers into an animal selection-cum-loading chute, supported with grass mats and green net to make it opaque for animals, which are herded into a large vehicle for their transport to another location.

• This old technique was earlier utilised to capture wild elephants for training and service.
• This shifting exercise has been approved by National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA).
• The translocation of herbivores would reduce preying upon rural cattle, sheep and goats around the tiger reserves.

What are Key Points Related to Keoladeo National Park?

• Keoladeo National Park is formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.
• It is located in the State of Rajasthan.
• It is an UNESCO World Heritage and a Ramsar site.
• Breeding Ground: Different species from far-flung areas of northern hemisphere visit the Sanctuary for breeding. The Siberian crane is one of the rare species that can be spotted here.
• Fauna: Animals such as Jackals, Sambar, Nilgai, wild cats, hyenas, wild boar, porcupine and mongoose can be found in the region.
• Flora: The principal vegetation types are tropical dry deciduous forest dominated by Acacia nilotica intermixed with dry grassland.
• River: Gambhir and Banganga are two rivers that flow through this National Park.

What are Protected Areas in Rajasthan?

• Tiger Reserves:
  • Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) in Sawai Madhopur
  • Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) in Alwar
  • Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR) in Kota
• National Park:
  • Desert National Park, Jaisalmer
  • Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur
• Wildlife Sanctuary:
  • Sajjangarh wildlife sanctuary, Udaipur
  • National Chambal Sanctuary (on tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh).

Source: TH