Chhattisgarh Successfully Revives Blackbuck Population After Near 50-Year Local Extinction

1. Summary of Achievement

The state of Chhattisgarh has achieved a significant conservation milestone with the successful reintroduction and revival of the blackbuck ( Antilope cervicapra ) population. Once declared locally extinct for nearly five decades, the species is now thriving in the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary, marking a triumph for focused wildlife management and habitat restoration efforts.

2. Background: The Path to Local Extinction

• Historical Presence:  Blackbucks were once abundant across the grasslands of India, including the regions of present-day Chhattisgarh.

• Causes of Extinction:  By the 1970s, the species had vanished from the state due to a combination of severe threats:

• • Widespread habitat loss and fragmentation.

  • Poaching and human encroachment.

  • Destruction of open grassland ecosystems essential for the antelope's survival.

3. The Reintroduction Programme: A Strategic Approach

Initiated in 2018 by the Chhattisgarh Forest Department, the programme was carefully structured:

• Translocation:  The project began with the translocation of  77 blackbucks  from zoos in New Delhi and Bilaspur.

• Acclimatization:  The animals were initially kept in specially designed enclosures within the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary to allow them to adapt to the local environment before a full wild release.

4. Conservation Measures and Overcoming Challenges

The programme faced and overcame significant early challenges:

• Health Crisis:  An outbreak of pneumonia in the initial stock led to some fatalities.

• Corrective Actions:  The Forest Department responded swiftly by:

  • Improving enclosure conditions with better drainage and sand layers.

  • Appointing dedicated veterinary support.

  • Forming a specialized conservation team for round-the-clock monitoring of habitat, nutrition, and animal health.

• Habitat Management:  Critical grassland habitats were restored by removing invasive weeds and promoting the growth of native grass species.

• Protection:  Enhanced anti-poaching measures were implemented, including the erection of watchtowers, deployment of camera traps, and increased patrols.

5. Current Status and Future Roadmap

The sustained efforts have yielded remarkable results:

• Current Population:  The Barnawapara Sanctuary now hosts approximately  190 blackbucks .

• Wild Population:  Of these, about 100 individuals have been successfully released into the wild and are faring well.

• Expansion Plans:  Encouraged by this success, the state government