Bhubaneswar: The success of blackbuck (antelope cervicapra) conservation programme has thrown a problem of plenty, which has become a cause of worry for the forest authorities.

Authorities are keen to develop a sustainable model for managing the growing population of this ruminant with cases of accidental deaths on the rise.

"At least one blackbuck gets killed in road accidents every month. There are even cases of stray dog attacks," said divisional forest officer, Ghumsar South, Bijay Ketan Acharya who watches over the Bhetnai-Balipadar belt of Ganjam district where blackbucks found a safe haven.

During the last census in March 2015, the number of blackbucks in Ganjam stood at 3,806, an increase of 1,625 compared to the 2011 census. "The growth rate has been around 20 per cent," said Acharya. With their numbers growing the animals have been causing depredation in nearby villages raiding fields and eating and destroying standing crops. "We need to develop a sustainable model for blackbuck conservation," said Acharya. Sources said that forest department is likely to discuss the issue with local communities involved in protection of these animals.