https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Rajasthan To Undertake Challenging Relocation Of Exploding Blackbuck Population

Blackbucks to be relocated from Rajasthan's Tal Chhapar to Jaswantgarh There are 4,220 blackbucks in the Tal Chhapar area Grassland is being developed before the relocation
Indian Masterminds Stories

In a first-of-its-kind, the Rajasthan Forest Department will be relocating the famous blackbucks from Tal Chhapar Sanctuary to Jaswantgarh forest block in Nagaur district around 10 km away as the native Indian antelope population has reached full capacity in the reserve leading to shortage in grazing grounds.

Located in Churu district, Tal Chhapar Sanctuary, spans about 7.2 sq km with 4,220 blackbucks and over 250 species of birds have been recorded so far with many species of migratory raptors coming from Central Asia every year.

Speaking to Indian Masterminds, Churu DFO Savita Dahiya, IFS, said, “Approximately one hectare area is required for a blackbuck for its fodder and roaming ground.”

Jaswantgarh topped the choice chart because of its close proximity to Chhapar and its low-lying landscape with similar soil condition. “The natural lowland area will have rainwater availability solving the drinking water source for the blackbucks,” the officer explained.

RECHARGING GRASSLAND 

One of the key measures that needed attention ahead of relocation was creation of grassland habitats. The blackbucks have fared well even in the face of natural and human-induced challenges, a new study by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) this year showed. 

The males with their corkscrew-shaped horns and black-to-dark brown coats are a sight to behold. They move a lot, while the fawn-coloured females tend to spread out less. The habitat development includes fencing of areas infested by Prosopis juliflora weed that prevents local grasses from growing. 

Besides, also removing of juliflora, transporting fresh fertile soil with seeds of grasses from Chhapar and ploughing and planting grass seed pellets. Ms. Dahiya shared that the habitat development is being funded by the Chief Minister’s Fund after a rap by the high court ordering declaration of Tal Chhapar sanctuary as eco-sensitive zone.

Picture Credit: Surat Singh Pooniya, Retd. Forester

The grassland recharge process of the block that has loamy soil rich in calcium but lacking nutrients has to be completed by monsoon. “The soil charged with seeds is being transported. We are making good use of the westerly winds in dispersing the seeds which are expected to start germinating once monsoon hits,” the DFO said. 

She further informed that the results will be visible once the weed is removed and productive grassland is saved from grazing stray cattle.

CHALLENGES 

Ms. Dahiya said shifting of blackbucks is highly challenging as the animal is extremely sensitive and there are no known cases in India of capturing wild blackbucks and translocating them without mortality. In the 1920s, Maharaja of Bikaner had shifted some blackbucks from Bikaner to Chhapar in his game sanctuary by means of creating a corridor in which these antelopes were fed and given water every day. “Now there exists a road and a railway line that goes through this corridor,” she said.

“Once the grasslands are ready, we will try and test the African technique Boma to relocate the animals. The department has also planned to make a temporary 10-kmcorridor from Tal Chhapar to Jaswantgarh,” Ms. Dahiya mentioned.

The officer concluded by saying that they intended to transform this place from an existing wasteland which is slowly turning into a dumpyard for the nearby cities and village to a beautifully rich biodiverse zone that will attract tourists.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Odisha Government
Odisha Elevates Two Promising IFS Officers to Senior Time Scale, Strengthening Forest Leadership - Know More About Them
Yogi Adityanath UP
Uttar Pradesh Floods: CM Yogi Adityanath Forms ‘Team-11’ for Swift and Transparent Flood Relief Across 12 Districts
DGR Job Fair
DGR Job Fair 2025 Held in Delhi to Empower Ex-Servicemen with Career Opportunities in Emerging Tech - Details Inside
omc
Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) Begins Dispatch from Dubna Mines, Strengthening Supply Chain and Industrial Growth
NFDC
NFDC Launches Free Residential 3D Animation & VFX Training for North East Youth - Here's All You Need To Know
CM Yogi
CM Yogi Adityanath Reviews Rs. 42,891 Crore Development Proposals for Lucknow Division, Emphasizes Timely, Inclusive Execution
Mahanadi River
Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai Assures Odisha of Consideration on an Amicable Solution to Mahanadi Water Dispute
MP News
Madhya Pradesh CM Dr. Mohan Yadav Pays Tribute to Pt. Ravishankar Shukla on His Birth Anniversary
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
How IAS Karn Satyarthi Transformed Gumla Through Empathy and Innovation
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s Take on Corruption, Reform, and Duty
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
What Most Indians Don't Know About Jim Corbett
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
BPSC Bihar police
From Lantern Light to Police Uniform: How Praveen Kumar from a Small Bihar Village Cracked BPSC to Become SDPO
From a lantern-lit village in Bihar to becoming an SDPO, Praveen Kumar's journey is a testament to resilience,...
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
Social Media
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: From India’s First Sanctuary to a Tiger Conservation Success Story | International Tiger Day Special
IAS Supriya Sahu Hails Mudumalai's Role in Tiger Conservation on Tiger Day. Declared in 1940, Now Among...
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Odisha Government
Odisha Elevates Two Promising IFS Officers to Senior Time Scale, Strengthening Forest Leadership - Know More About Them
Yogi Adityanath UP
Uttar Pradesh Floods: CM Yogi Adityanath Forms ‘Team-11’ for Swift and Transparent Flood Relief Across 12 Districts
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Karn Satyarthi
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-26 at 13.16
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT