Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The forest department’s search for Robinson Helicopter for translocation of Black Buck and Blue Bull from Shajapur district to Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary could end soon. The reason is that one company has participated in the tender floated by the aviation department.
A senior officer of the aviation department confirmed that one company has participated in the tender floated to hire Robinson Helicopter to the forest department. This was the second tender floated to hire Robinson helicopter.
Earlier, the forest department had floated tender at its own to hire the Robinson helicopter but it failed to get any. Helpless, it requested the aviation department to get the helicopter so that it can execute its long pending plan to translocate Black Bucks and Blue Bull.
A senior officer of the forest department said that Robinson helicopter are less in use and their availability is also limited. It is a single engine helicopter and flies at low altitude. This may be the reason that problems are being encountered in hiring the Robinson Helicopter.
Meanwhile, even if one company had participated in tender to provide Robinson Helicopter on rent, then also the government can take the final decision.
As Robinson is a lightweight chopper and flies at low level, it is useful in chasing wild animals and taking them till enclosures from where they could be captured and translocated to other places.
Notably, it was recently that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had chaired the State Wildlife Board Meeting in which the forest department had acquainted him that it is making efforts to get the Robinson helicopter.
The translocation of blue bull and black buck from Shajapur district is necessary as their population has grown to such a level that they are damaging crops. Even they cause road accidents in other parts of the state like Mandsaur.
