Blackbuck count at Abohar sanctuary in Punjab going down, reveals wildlife census

• A recent blackbuck census by the Wildlife Institute of India stated that the blackbucks ‘are on the verge of extinction in Punjab.

Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is located in the state of Punjab.
• The entire area of Sanctuary is private or community owned land of 13 Bishnoi villages.
• Flora: Albizia lebbeck, Acacia nilotica, Azadirachta indica, A. tortilis etc.
• Fauna: Wild Boar, Blue Fauna Bull, Porcupines, Hare, Jackal, etc.

Blackbuck

• It lives mainly in open grasslands or dry deciduous forests.
• The antelope is native to and found mainly in India
• It is widespread in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and other areas throughout peninsular India.
• It has been declared as the state animal by the governments of Punjab, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh.

Conservation status

• IUCN Red List: Least concerned.
• Wildlife Protection Act of 1972: Schedule I
• CITES: Appendix III

Wildlife Institute of India

• It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• It was established in 1982.
• It offers training programs, academic courses, and advisory in wildlife research and management.

Prelims Takeaway

• Black Buck
• Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Wildlife Institute of India