Blackbuck count at Abohar wildlife sanctuary declines sharply

Once teeming with herds of black bucks and blue bulls, the Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary, spread across 46,513 acres of private farmland in 13 villages, mostly inhabited by the Bishnoi community, is now struggling to retain its charm.

Wildlife officials admit that the population of black bucks has declined sharply over the years. Most animals have moved to other areas, including nearby villages in Rajasthan, deserting their old grazing grounds.

“It is now become rare to spot a black buck in the villages now. Even forest staff direct visitors to a cow shelter at Sukhchain village, where about 20 black bucks and a few blue bulls have been kept inside a fenced enclosure,” say locals.

Residents believe multiple factors are behind the decline. “The once open, semi-arid landscape — ideal for these animals — is now filled with kinnow orchards and paddy fields. Cotton farming, which allowed easy movement to the wildlife, is no longer being done. Moreover, many farmers have erected electrified, barbed and cobra-wire fencing around their fields, blocking the free movement of animals like black bucks, which travel in herds,” they said, adding that stray dogs and a growing population of wild boars are also making life difficult for these herbivores.

Inderpal Bishnoi, national president of the All-India Jeev Raksha Bishnoi Sabha and a resident of Duttaranwali village, said, “Cobra-wire fencing is illegal here, but farmers feel helpless. Wild boars destroy kinnow orchards and fencing is the only way they can protect their fields. At the same time, poaching in nearby areas has contributed to the decline in black buck numbers. Our community is so protective about these animals that we don’t even allow any non-vegetarian food. Additionally, the state government does not permit the setting up of new industrial units in the sanctuary area. Still, the situation has deteriorated and needs to be addressed seriously.”

Another resident of the sanctuary area, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said, “A few years ago, we used to see herds of black bucks regularly. Last week, I saw one after more than four years, standing in a field, seemingly puzzled on how to cross the cobra fencing. That is how bad things have gotten. The recent highway widening has made it worse. A safety grill along the Abohar-Dabwali road, 10 feet above the ground, has become a wall for animals. Only three underpasses are now left for the wildlife to cross.”

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Ferozepur, Lakhwinder Singh Gill confirmed the concerns by saying that, “The number of black bucks has certainly gone down because their habitat is shrinking. Fencing is a major issue despite a ban by the District Magistrate. Our teams continue to remove illegal fences and take legal action, but farmers are not cooperating. In the recent wildlife count, around 100 black bucks were found inside the sanctuary area.”