Explanation:

Rajasthan’s state animal, the Chinkara antelope, has been dying in large numbers in Jaisalmer’s Orans or traditional desert pastures, according to local residents.

According to the local residents, more than 100 Chinkara have died prematurely in the last three-four months.

Several reasons have been given for these deaths. These include the spread of solar parks in the desert and their boundary walls, feral dogs, poaching and the blockage of wildlife pathways.

The solar parks and their boundary walls have blocked the natural pathways of wildlife including the antelope.

Fourteen antelope died near the wall of the solar park near Lakhasar village in the district in June, 2022. The post mortem revealed that two of the animals that were female, were also pregnant.

The antelope, when feeling threatened by feral dog or humans, ran along these pathways, only to crash into the walls of the parks. They also got trapped in the fencing at times and died.

Another issue that has raised serious concerns is that poaching of the antelope too has increased. Environment lovers of Jaisalmer recently marched about 20 kilometres to the District collector’s office carrying soil stained with the blood of poached antelope to register their protest.

In addition to the above factors, environmentalists have tried to explain the causes of accidents with wildlife from a historical perspective.

The rocky plateau in and around Lakhasar, Moolsagar was a protected pasture filled with medicinal plants during the princely period. It was especially famous for the grazing of horses. It is also an important watershed of the district from where many streams originate.

These factors were reasons for wildlife to have inhabited the place for hundreds of years. They were and are habituated to using the same pathways to traverse the area.

But now, these are blocked due to illegal mining, solar parks, encroachments and fencing. The Chinkara have no choice but to cross the fencing. But as soon as they get discovered by humans or dogs, they panic and are unable to decide the way out. That is why they become victims of accidents