Search the Internet           Tips

Bengal floods claim 200 deer

About 200 deer died in the devastating floods in the nine districts of West Bengal, affecting nearly 60 percent of the state's population.

North 24 Parganas district magistrate H T Dwivedi told rediff.com that the district administration had rescued 80 of them.

Dwivedi, however, denied unofficial figures that put the death toll at 200.

"We don't deny that deer have died due to nature's fury, but the 200 figure is too much of an exaggeration. None of us, including forest officers, in-charge of forests where the deer are feared killed, can tell you the exact death toll now. A forest team, comprising four senior officials, has left to assess the situation. We will only be able to give you the toll after the team returns," Dwivedi added.

Dwivedi said that there were over 350 deer in the natural sanctuary. As the flood water began to enter North 24 Parganas, inundating Barasat, the the deer reserve was under neck-deep water.

According to senior state wildlife officials, some deer ran way.

"Such was the flow of water, that it washed away hundreds of houses at the sanctuary. Thirty-seven sanctuary staffers have lost their lives. Water began to recede from October 9. It was only after water receded that we saw hundreds of decomposed bodies of deer. We could rescue 80," Dwivedi stated.

The district administration claimed the few peacocks in the forest were rescued.

RELATED REPORTS
Bengal flood toll crosses 1,300 mark
PM briefed about Bengal flood situation

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report