A drop in rainfall and poor vegetation in Shir-Ahmad Protected Wildlife Reserve in Sabzevar County, Khorasan Razavi Province, has driven thirsty and hungry deer toward nearby farmlands in search of food and water, causing substantial damage.
With an area of 23,000 hectares, Shir-Ahmad is home to around 1,000 deer and is considered Iran's second major habitat of the ruminant after Muteh National Park in Isfahan Province.
However, the shortage of food and water caused by prolonged drought has compelled Shir-Ahmad's deer to cross over to 10 adjacent villages, destroying farmers' crops.
Khosro Keramati, a farmer in the region, told IRNA that the animals have ruined all his cumin farms for which he had spent around 10 million rials ($238) per hectare.
"I have no crop to harvest this year," he said, adding that roughly 60% of the 30 hectares of farmland near the wildlife reserve have suffered damage.
Baratali Aliabadi, a local orchardist, voiced discontent over conservation rules that restrict farmers' methods of keeping wildlife away.
"Hunting or even live hunting deer carry a 100-million-rial ($2,400) fine," he lamented.
He held the Department of Environment responsible to manage the situation.
"Most of the protected reserve has been enclosed either by fences or canals. This has reduced animals' overrun but has not been sufficient because they eventually exit the area through open borders or across canals that are too narrow to prevent a successful leap," he explained.
Solutions
The head of the local DOE office, Hamidreza Sadeqi, acknowledged farmers' rightful grievances.
"We are fully aware that nearby residents are affected by the natural and environmental challenges of the protected area," he told the news agency.
As a stopgap solution, some 10 kilometers of the borders between the area and villages have been confined by fences and canals to bar wildlife's passage, according to him.
"We will continue fencing as soon as funds are supplied," he said.
Another temporary measure is to supply food and water for animals in the wild.
"Since late April, 15 tons of fodder has been prepared and distributed in the region by the DOE and donors, and the supply will continue until late August to both prevent attacks to farmlands and risks of being hunted by poachers."
Besides, the volume of water in the reserve's qanat (a system of wells) has decreased leaving wildlife thirsty.
"The permit for digging a well to provide water for wildlife has been obtained and it will soon open to quench the thirst of deer as well as enable the growth of fodder in the area," Sadeqi said.
Esmaeil Nasrabadi, a deputy at Sabzevar Governorate, also said his office is corresponding with the DOE to allow hunting to control the population of the animal.
"The number of deer should be in keeping with the capacity of the region," he said.
Reportedly, the number of the ruminants has increased from 860 to 1,000 over the past two years. No hunting permit has been issued in five years.
