Blackbuck Revival in Chhattisgarh

• 23 Oct 2025

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

After being declared locally extinct in 2017, the blackbuck has made a remarkable comeback in Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary, Chhattisgarh. Through a five-year revival plan (2021–2026), the state forest department has successfully reintroduced and bred over 190 blackbucks.  

What is the Blackbuck Revival Program? 

• About Programme: The Chhattisgarh State Wildlife Board approved a five-year plan (2021–2026) aimed at re-establishing a self-sustaining blackbuck population in the region. 
  • A total of 77 blackbucks have been translocated under the project. Fifty were brought from the National Zoological Park in New Delhi, and twenty-seven were sourced from the Kanan Pendari Zoological Garden in Bilaspur. 
  • The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), once native to several regions of Chhattisgarh, disappeared due to extensive habitat degradation, poaching, and land-use changes. 
• Objective: The primary objective is to rebuild a stable and breeding blackbuck population and strengthen grassland management practices within the sanctuary. 
• Habitat and Veterinary Management: Sand-layering, improved drainage, and medical surveillance reduced mortality (e.g., post-2018 pneumonia outbreak). 
  • Dedicated team established for habitat improvement, including weed removal and native grass cultivation. 

What are the Key Facts Related to Blackbuck? 

• About: The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), also known as the Indian Antelope, is a graceful and diurnal species native to India and Nepal. 
• Habitat: It primarily inhabits open grasslands and scrublands across states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. 
  • The species is a flagship indicator of grassland ecosystem health and symbolizes the importance of conserving these often-overlooked habitats. 
  • Major blackbuck habitats in India include the Velavadar Blackbuck Sanctuary (Gujarat), Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), and Tal Chhapar Sanctuary (Rajasthan). 
• Protection and Conservation Status:  
  • The IUCN Red List : Least Concern. 
  • Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I, providing the highest level of legal protection in India. 
  • The species is also included in Appendix III of CITES, which regulates international trade. 
• Symbolic Significance; 
  • The blackbuck has been declared the State Animal of Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh, reflecting its ecological and cultural importance. 

Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary 

• The sanctuary is located in the northeastern part of Raipur district, Chhattisgarh, and is named after the Bar and Nawapara forest villages at its centre. 
• It features undulating terrain with numerous low and high hillocks, forming an ideal natural landscape for diverse wildlife. 
• Several tributaries of the Mahanadi River flow through the sanctuary. The Balamdehi River forms its western boundary, while the Jonk River marks its northeastern edge. 
• The sanctuary has well-stocked teak, sal, and mixed forests, providing a rich habitat for various species. 
• Commonly sighted animals include Indian bison (Gaur), Cheetal, Sambhar, Neelgai, and Wild boar. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Why did the Chhattisgarh government launch the Blackbuck Revival Program?
The initiative aims to reintroduce blackbucks in Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary, restoring a species locally extinct for five decades and improving grassland ecosystem health. 

2. How is the Blackbuck Revival Program being implemented?
Under a five-year plan (2021–2026), 77 blackbucks were translocated using a soft-release method to ensure adaptation and long-term population sustainability. 

3. What is the conservation status of the blackbuck in India?
The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is listed as Least Concern (IUCN), but protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, ensuring maximum legal protection.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Q1. Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous? (2020)

(a) Kanha National Park 

(b) Manas National Park 

(c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary 

(d) Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary

Ans: (a)