Bishnois setting up memorial for poached blackbuck

Jodhpur: The Bishnoi community in the Kankani village of Jodhpur district is constructing a huge memorial to honour the blackbuck ‘killed’ by Bollywood actor Salman Khan 24 years ago.

The people of this village consider deer as their identity and say it is necessary for deer to survive.

A grand monument and an animal rescue centre are being constructed at the same place where the deer was found dead. The memorial will be built in Kankani village at around 7 bigha land (a small portion of land).

A huge 3-feet statue of black deer weighing 800 kg will be erected at the site made of cement and iron bars, and a rescue centre will also be built for the treatment of animals and birds.

The statue of the deer is ready to be placed at the temple in Kakani village. The local people built the entire temple by collecting money from the residents of the Kankani village.

A local sculptor Shankar Chauhan has prepared it in 15 days at Siwanchi Gate of Jodhpur. He said it took a lot of hard work.