Context:
The blackbuck, declared locally extinct in Chhattisgarh in 2017, has made a remarkable recovery under ax five-year revival plan (2021–2026) in Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary.
About Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary
A protected forest and wildlife sanctuary in Chhattisgarh, known for rich biodiversity, thriving herbivore and carnivore populations, and grassland–forest ecosystems that support both conservation and eco-tourism.
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Near Threatened (NT).
- Threats:
- Habitat loss and fragmentation due to agriculture and urbanisation.
- Poaching for meat and horns.
- Competition with livestock for grazing.
Key Features
- Topography: Gently undulating plains, elevations up to 640 m, crisscrossed by rivers Balmedhi, Jonk, and Mahanadi
- Climate: Annual rainfall ~1,200 mm; pleasant winters Nov–Feb
- Flora: Teak, Sal, and mixed deciduous forests
- Fauna: Leopards, barking deer, bison, wild boar, chital, and now blackbuck; rich avian and aquatic species around Balar reservoir
- Tourism Infrastructure: Watchtowers, eco-camps, and patrol stations promoting eco-tourism and conservation awareness
