(Top and above) Accumulated water inside the deer park. Pictures by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, June 21: Waterlogging is creating obstructing animals from moving freely at the overpopulated Madhusadan Nagar deer park here.

The continuous rain due to the low pressure has compounded problems for the animals with a large part of the park remaining under water for the past couple of days.

The local residents have expressed concern for the animals that are now taking shelter under a structure inside the park where they can find some dry land.

“The space for animals to move freely has decreased because of the waterlogging,” said Mohamad Fakira, 26, a visitor.

However, officials at the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) said there was nothing to worry about because this happened every monsoon.

“We are aware of the situation and it is an accumulation of water due to the incessant rains that lashed most parts of the state recently,” said CMC secretary Asutosh Samal.

Samal said there was a common perception that accumulation of water and mud creates problems for the wild animals.

But the present accumulation of rain water in some portion is the perfect natural environment for the deer. However, we will certainly initiate steps to drain out the water if there was acute waterlogging inside the deer park subsequently, Samal said.

Madhusudan Nagar deer park was established over 2.5 acres of land in 1981.

The deer park has the space for just 10 deer since the regulations permit between three to five deer in an acre. But the deer park is now overpopulated as it is now home to 88 deer including 34 male, 35 female and 19 fawns.

In a bid to tide over the problem of overpopulation, CMC is thinking of coming up with a second deer park in the city.

“Today, we have written to the district collector and sub-collector to hand over five acres of land at Bidyadharpur to create a favourable environment to relocate some animals from the Madhusudan Nagar deer park in near future,” Samal said.

“As soon as we get the possession of the land, we will certainly initiate steps for the establishment of the second deer park in the city,” he added.