Chhattisgarh Blackbuck Reintroduction

Blackbucks, once extinct in Chhattisgarh since 1927, are regaining their habitat through a reintroduction programme launched in 2018. The initiative shows population recovery and ongoing conservation efforts.

Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra)

Dimension	Key Details
Scientific Classification	Is known as Antilope cervicapra and belongs to genus Antilope, family Bovidae, and kingdom Animalia.
Common Name	Is a medium-sized antelope native to India and Nepal.
Habitat	Applies to open grasslands, scrublands, and lightly forested areas.
Distribution	Is found across the Indian subcontinent.
Morphology	Provides for males with spiralled horns and dark brown to black coat and females with fawn colour and generally no horns.
Diet	Comprises coarse grasses, pods, and leaves.
Reintroduction Programme	Provides for reintroduction in Chhattisgarh under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 with first release of 77 individuals in 2018.
Population Status	Provides for population of about 190 individuals in 2026 including wild and enclosure populations.
Monitoring Mechanism	Provides for use of pan-tilt-zoom infra-red cameras and daily patrolling by forest guards.
Future Expansion	Provides for planned introduction in Gomardha Wildlife Sanctuary in Sarangarh-Bilaigarh district.
IUCN Status	Is classified as Least Concern.
CITES Status	Is listed under Appendix III with India as listing country.
Legal Protection	Is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Threats	Comprises habitat loss, poaching for meat and horns, and human-wildlife conflict in agricultural areas.