Blackbuck Decline in Abohar Sanctuary, Punjab

📰 Context

Wildlife officials have reported a sharp decline in the blackbuck population at the Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary, raising concerns over conservation efforts in Punjab.

🔬 About Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra)

• Native to: India and Nepal

• Preferred Habitat: Open grasslands, dry scrublands, and thin forests

• State Animal of: Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh

🧬 Key Features

• 🖤 Males: Dark brown/black with white underparts and distinct eye rings

• ♀️ Females: Smaller, light brown, with short horns

• 🦌 Horns (males only): Spiraled, can reach up to 28 inches

• 👁️ Exceptional eyesight & high running speed (up to 80 km/h) → helps evade predators

🛡️ Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Least Concern

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I (highest protection)

• CITES: Appendix III

🌿 Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary (Punjab)

• Location: Fazilka district, Punjab

• Unique Feature:

  • Entirely community-owned → Managed across 13 Bishnoi villages

  • No government-owned forest land

• Flora:

  • Albizia lebbeck

  • Acacia nilotica

  • Azadirachta indica

  • Acacia tortilis

• Other Fauna:

  • Blue Bull (Nilgai)

  • Wild Boar

  • Porcupine

  • Hare, Jackal

⚠️ Possible Causes of Decline

1. Shrinking Habitat due to agricultural expansion and encroachment

2. Poaching & Illegal Hunting, despite Bishnoi community protection traditions

3. Road Accidents in human-dominated landscapes

4. Depletion of Grasslands from overgrazing by livestock

5. Human-Wildlife Conflict → crop damage by Nilgai & Blackbucks leading to retaliation

📌 Conclusion

The decline of blackbucks in Abohar Sanctuary highlights the urgent need for habitat restoration, stronger anti-poaching measures, and community-inclusive conservation strategies.
This sanctuary, a model of community-led wildlife protection, must be reinforced to safeguard Punjab’s state animal.