- Indian Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is an antelope and is the only living species of the genus Antilope.
- It is considered to be the fastest animal in the world next to Cheetah.
- The horns of the blackbuck are ringed with one to four spiral turns and the female is usually hornless.
- Habitat:
- Blackbuck inhabits grassy plains and slightly forested areas.
- Due to its regular need of water, it prefers areas where water is perennially available.
- It is found in Central- Western India (MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra and Odisha) and Southern India (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu).
- Protection Status:
- Hunting of blackbuck is prohibited under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
- It has been categorised least concerned in IUCN Red Data Book.
- The Bishnoi community of Rajasthan is known worldwide for their conservation efforts to blackbuck and Chinkara.
Why in news?
- Blackbuck’s population is on rise.
- The Uttar Pradesh State Cabinet has approved Blackbuck Conservation Reserve in trans-Yamuna belt near Allahabad. It will be first of its kind conservation reserves in India exclusively dedicated to blackbuck.