Berhampur, Feb. 26: Bollywood star Salman Khan has been invited to shoot blackbucks in Ganjam, but this time with a camera.

Khan, who is awaiting judgment in a case related to the 1998 blackbuck poaching incident, has been invited by villagers of Bhetnai in Ganjam to experience the joy of seeing blackbucks in their natural habitat and also come armed with a camera to capture the beautiful animals on reel.

The forest department will conduct the census of blackbucks in Ganjam on March 1.

Amulya Upadhyaya, a resident of Bhetnai and president of the Blackbuck Conservation Society, said the villagers loved the animals and they were their silent guardians and protectors for generations.

"We have invited film star Salman Khan to show him how humans and blackbucks co-exist in perfect harmony by mutually respecting each other. This symbiosis between man and animal is unique and we invite him to experience it for himself. You would understand what these innocent creatures of God mean to us and why we would rather give our own lives than see them harmed," said Amulya.

Khan was allegedly involved in poaching of two blackbucks on the outskirts of Kankani village near Jodhpur in the intervening night of October 1-2, 1998. The case under the Arms Act was registered with Luni Police station in Jodhpur for illegally using weapons.The film-star was in Jodhpur for the shooting of Hindi movie "Hum Saath Saath Hain" when the incident occurred.

"Blackbucks are symbols of our prosperity and bring good luck to our farmland. They have delighted us with their playful antics, which is a joy to behold. Our beautiful blackbucks forgive and will readily give you all the love you need. Love, not guns, is all the world needs. If Salman (Khan) comes here, he definitely will gain a few hundred new fans," Amulya wrote in the letter.

District forest officer, Ghumshar south division, Ranjit Kumar Mallick said the blackbuck census would start at 6am and end at 10am on March 1. "We will hold a training programme for the employees and the volunteers at Bhetnai Charimile Square camp on February 28," the DFO said.

In all, 66 teams consisting of four members each would conduct the entire census. Twenty-five teams have already been formed in Aska forest range, 26 in Buguda range, eight in Polsara range while seven in Ghumshar division.

Sources in the forest department said that in 2010 census, the number of the animal was 2,181 that included 544 male, 1,414 female and 283 young. The census is conducted every two to three years. However, it has not been conducted since 2010 owing to various reasons. In 1973 the blackbuck count was 523, 485 in 1980, 551 in 1998, 786 in 2004, 1,101 in 2006 and 1,672 in 2008.

Rabindranath Sahu, secretary of the Rushikulya Sea Turtle Protection Committee which has initiated efforts for protecting the endangered species, said about 200 blackbucks had entered into Santoshpur, Khandideuli and UDSpur panchayats of Ganjam block after the Phailin.

"The villagers have always protected the blackbucks," he said.