Why in news?
Conservationists reported in October 2025 that around 190 blackbucks now roam Chhattisgarh’s Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary – a remarkable comeback after the graceful antelope had vanished from the region for 50 years. The state’s forest department began a reintroduction plan in 2018, and recent surveys show that the population has stabilised and continues to grow.
Background
The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is a slender antelope with spiral horns, once common on the open grasslands of central and western India. It declined sharply in Chhattisgarh during the 1970s due to habitat loss, agricultural expansion and poaching. Although classified as “Least Concern” by the IUCN globally, it is listed under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act. Recognising the ecological and cultural value of the species – it is the state animal of Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab – the Chhattisgarh Forest Department launched a five‑year revival plan (2021–26) to reintroduce blackbucks into Barnawapara’s grasslands.
Project highlights
- Translocation and acclimatisation: In 2018 the department moved 77 blackbucks (50 from Delhi’s National Zoological Park and 27 from Bilaspur’s Kanan Pendari Zoological Garden) to Barnawapara. The animals spent up to two years in soft‑release enclosures to adapt to local conditions before gradual release into the wild.
- Habitat restoration: Rangers cleared invasive weeds and planted native grasses such as Rampur grass to rebuild the open meadows. Anti‑poaching patrols, camera traps and on‑call veterinary teams improved security and animal health.
- Managing setbacks: An early pneumonia outbreak killed eight animals, prompting the construction of sand‑floored enclosures with better drainage and round‑the‑clock veterinary care.
- Population growth: Surveys in 2025 recorded roughly 190 blackbucks in and around the sanctuary. Officials are considering extending the programme to the nearby Gomardha Wildlife Sanctuary.
Significance
- The blackbucks’ return restores ecological balance in the grasslands. Their grazing controls invasive plants, allowing diverse grasses and herbs to flourish and benefiting other herbivores.
- The project serves as a model for reintroducing locally extinct species through careful planning, habitat management and long‑term monitoring.
- Success has generated local pride and eco‑tourism opportunities, providing incentives for villagers to support conservation efforts.
- The story highlights the importance of protecting open grassland ecosystems, which often receive less attention than forests but are vital for biodiversity.
Conclusion
Barnawapara’s blackbuck revival shows that determined efforts can reverse local extinctions. With habitat restoration, community engagement and science‑based management, Chhattisgarh has brought back a species once thought lost – offering hope for other conservation projects.
Source: The Better India