To safely remove herds of black antelopes that had become a problem for farmers in the Shujalpur area of Shajapur district, the 'Boma' technique from South Africa was successfully employed. Over two days, 176 black antelopes were moved to Kuno National Park, located in the city of Sheopur, without the use of nets, weapons, or sedatives.
Kiran Bisen, an officer from the CF in Ujjain, reported that a team of experts from South Africa, the organization 'Conservation Solutions,' is providing practical training to Indian officials and forest workers on the 'Boma' method. Twenty forest workers, including 7 DFOs, participated in this operation.
The Three-Level Science of the Boma Technique
The first stage involved directing the antelope herd towards the enclosure (Boma) using helicopters flying at only 2–5 feet above the fields, with precise coordination with ground personnel. The second step involved creating a funnel about 1 km long in the shape of the letter 'V' in the fields, which was equipped with green and black curtains, local grass, and shrubs instead of iron or stone walls so that the animals would not be frightened. The third stage consisted of a narrow corridor that led directly into transport trucks. As soon as the antelopes entered, the curtains were lowered, and the transport set off.
'Odorless Zone' and Science at 30°C
According to wildlife specialists, special scientific protocols were used during this rescue operation. For example, work was suspended if the temperature exceeded 30 degrees Celsius, as excessive heat and running could cause serious damage to the antelopes' muscles, creating a risk of heart attack. An 'odorless zone' was also established: residents were prohibited from visiting the fields or draining water a day before the operation, with special attention paid to the absence of any perfumes or strong odors along the route. Furthermore, to prevent injuries to females from the sharp horns of males in the trucks, forest workers used thin sticks to carefully separate males and females into different compartments.
Relief for Farmers
In the villages of Badi Polai, Hajuheri, Amsiyaheri, and Banjari in Shujalpur, herds of 50–100 antelopes destroyed crops in minutes. Farmers had to sow up to 25 kg of seeds per acre instead of the usual 18 kg, and crop yields dropped by more than half. More than 100 complaints were received monthly on the Chief Minister's Helpline. In the second phase of the work, the Forest Department plans to move 2000 black antelopes to Kuno, after which a rescue evacuation of other antelopes causing significant damage to farmers in the region will be carried out using the same method.