Hemsingh Gehlot
J N Vyas University, India
Title: Conservational threats to blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra) population in arid region of western Rajasthan, India
Biography
Biography: Hemsingh Gehlot
Abstract
The Indian blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), is one of the four species of wild ungulate inhabits the arid areas of western Rajasthan; other 3 species are: Nilgai or Bluebull, Chinkara or Indian gazelle and Chausingha or four horned antelope. All these four species are even-towed (Artiodactyla), Bovids. There is a fast decline in the population of blackbuck throughout the country mainly due to habitat loss and poaching. Similar threats have been noticed to the blackbuck population of arid districts of Rajasthan. Just three decades ago, the blackbuck population was very high in these areas in comparison to present population. It is very interesting to note that in the arid areas, the blackbuck population in permanent protected areas (sanctuaries and closed areas) is very low in comparison to its density in and around Bishnoi dominated villages. The present study has been carried out on its distribution and status of the blackbuck in their habitats to find out the major causes of dwindling of blackbuck population in hot arid areas of western Rajasthan, during August-2003 to July-2006 and subsequently from February-2013 to March-2015. During present study, the highest population density of 3.07 heads km-1 has been recorded in Jodhpur district followed by Nagaur district i.e., 2.33 heads km-1. It is predominantly due preservation of their habitat and protection of the blackbuck population by the local people. Alarming increase in feral dog population in the wild ungulate habitats caused heavy death tolls of blackbucks, especially during fawning period. The highest mortality (45%) has been caused by the predation of blackbucks by feral dogs followed by the road accident (15%). Another cause of the decrease in wild fauna population is due to habitat destruction, mining and human interaction associated with increase in human and livestock population in their inhabited areas. It is in the record that the blackbucks were plentiful and their sighting was very common throughout plains around water holes in whole arid tracts of Rajasthan. Subsequently, within a short span of time, its population has been suffered drastically and resulted into drastic reduction in its number. The blackbuck thus has been rightly included in the Schedule-I of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.