Jamshedpur, July 5: Happy with the progress of the Dalma Bachao Abhiyan (Save Dalma Campaign), the Centre has sanctioned Rs 5 lakh for special sensitisation of villagers, who have now become partners in conservation.

Rampant killing of animals in the picturesque Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary seems to have become a thing of the past and the central aid would only boost their campaign, said forest officials.Sensitising villagers residing in and around the sanctuary under the campaign has slowly but steadily begun to pay dividends. Records of the Ranchi wildlife division suggest that barring a deer, not a single animal has fallen prey to hunters this year. “Our effort has finally paid off. We have to ensure the animals continue to live this safely,” said an officer.

Sidharth Tripathy, the divisional forest officer of Ranchi Wildlife Division, told The Telegraph that they have gained success in ensuring safety of animals in the 193sqkm sanctuary. “Not a single animal has been killed during summer this year. Hunters are more active in summers as the conditions are easy. But support from villagers, Van Suraksha Samiti members and the eco-development committee has made our campaign a success,” he claimed.

Though the senior forester could not readily come out with the number of animals killed last year but admitted that some had fallen prey to hunters. “But, now the situation has changed for the better. A large number of villagers have been sensitised through our campaign,” he said.

According to Tripathy, inhabitants of 82 villages (29 inside the sanctuary and 53 in the periphery) have gradually begun to understand the futility of hunting. They are now totally against allowing professional hunters from coming to the sanctuary.

“We were surprised that not a single bear or wild boar fell prey to hunters in the monsoon. It is easy to hunt these animals during the season of blackberries. This fruit is found in abundance in the sanctuary and hunters just sit atop machans to target bears,” he said, claiming that the hunters also drew a blank during this year’s Bishu Shikar, the annual hunting festival of the tribals.

Last year, the tribals managed to kill a squirrel and kotra (a type of deer) during Bishu Shikar.

However, they were arrested when alert villagers informed the foresters who wasted no time in apprehending the hunters.

“The ongoing campaign has also resulted in strengthening of the information network. I got information that a deer was killed by villagers late last month — when it had strayed from the sanctuary — in just five minutes. This suggests that our campaign is on the right track,” Tripathy said.

A forester added that the villagers were being sensitised with the help of wildlife enthusiasts and samiti members. Pamphlets, street corner plays and archery tournaments were also used to educate villagers.