BLACKBUCK - ENVIRONMENT
News: IISc
study sheds light on how blackbuck survive challenges
What's in the news?
● A
new study conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has shed light on
how blackbuck in India have fared in the face
of natural and human-induced challenges to their survival.
Key takeaways:
● The
blackbuck is found only in the Indian
subcontinent.
● While
males have corkscrew-shaped horns and black-to-dark brown coats, the females
are fawn-coloured.
● The
animals are mainly seen in three broad clusters across India that pertain to
the northern, the southern, and the eastern regions.
● This
geographic separation as well as dense human habitation between the clusters
would be expected to make it difficult for them to move from one location to
another, said IISc.
Blackbuck:
● The
blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), also known as the Indian antelope, is an antelope native to India and Nepal.
● They
are known for their majestic spiral horns and coat colour contrasts.
● They
are considered to be the fastest animal
in the world next to Cheetah.
Habitat:
● They
are found in open habitats such as grassy
plains and thinly forested areas, which allow them to spot predators from
long distances as well as providing grazing forage.
● The
species is widespread in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and
other areas throughout peninsular India.
● It
is the State Animal of Andhra Pradesh,
Haryana and Punjab.
● There
are a few national parks and sanctuaries inhabited by blackbuck in the country
such as
○ Velavadar
Wildlife Sanctuary - Gujarat
○ Ranebennur
Blackbuck Sanctuary - Karnataka
○ Point
Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary - Tamil Nadu
○ Kaimur
Wildlife Sanctuary - Bihar
○ Great
Indian Bustard Sanctuary - Maharashtra
○ Kanha
National Park - Madhya Pradesh
Religious Significance:
● The
blackbuck is routinely depicted in miniature
paintings of the Mughal era (16th to 19th centuries) depicting royal hunts
often using cheetahs.
● Blackbuck
is mentioned in Sanskrit texts such as
Krishna Mrig. According to Hindu mythology, the blackbuck draws the chariot of Lord Krishna.
● Villagers
in India and Nepal generally do not harm the blackbuck. Tribes such as the Bishnois revere and care for most
animals including the blackbuck.
Protection Status:
● IUCN - Least
Concern
● Wildlife Protection Act,
1972 - Schedule I
● CITES - Appendix
III