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