Chhattisgarh to reintroduce blackbucks to Gomarda Wildlife Sanctuary

The state government of Chhattisgarh will move 50 blackbucks from the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary to the Gomarda Wildlife Sanctuary.

This initiative aims to restore the species to a region where it had been absent for more than 50 years. The blackbuck, a member of the Bovidae family, disappeared from the area during the 1970s because of hunting, poaching, land encroachment, and various development activities.

Authorities are using the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary as a source for this move because a previous conservation program there successfully grew the blackbuck population to over 150 animals. The translocation process requires specific conditions to succeed, including favorable topography, consistent water availability, and managed habitats with palatable grasses. Conservation teams must also manage invasive weeds and provide adequate fodder to help the sensitive animals adapt to their new environment.

The blackbuck holds a high level of legal protection in India under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. While the species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, it still faces threats from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and stray dog attacks. The government uses the Centrally Sponsored Umbrella Scheme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats to provide financial assistance for these conservation efforts.