DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

GS-III : Biodiversity & Environment Conservation

24 December, 2022
5 Min Read

Tal Chhapar Sanctuary: Rajasthan

Tal Chhapar Sanctuary: Rajasthan

A defence has been provided for the Tal Chhapar blackbuck sanctuary in Rajasthan against a state proposal to shrink the area of its eco-sensitive zone.
The sanctuary, which spans a 7.19 sq. km. area, has a major initiative underway by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) to save raptors.
The wildlife sanctuary's area cannot be decreased, according to a recent court judgment.

About Tal Chhapar blackbuck sanctuary:

It is situated in the Churu district of Rajasthan
The Jaswantgarh forest block in the Nagaur district is located not far from Tal Chhapar and is traversed by the Nokha-Sikar highway.
On the edge of the Great Indian Thar Desert is where you'll find the Tal Chhapar Sanctuary.
The Rajasthani term "Tal" means "plane land."
This sanctuary has a large level landscape with a thin, low-lying area combined.
It has broad, vast grasslands with dispersed Acacia and Prosopis plants that give it the appearance of a typical Savanna.

Species diversity:

4,000 blackbucks, more than 40 different raptor species, and over 300 different permanent and migratory bird species.
The top of the food chain and population controllers of tiny mammals, birds, and reptiles as well as insects are the raptors, which include predators and scavengers.
Earlier, there were many desert foxes and other burrowing species in the refuge, and now raptors use the enormous populations of spiny-tailed lizards, the only herbivorous lizard, as a base of operations for hunting.
For their stay over the winter, migratory birds come here.

Probable Threat to the Sanctuary:

Increase in the number of people living in the area around the sanctuary as well as sporadic and widespread construction work.

Hyperaridity, grazing pressure,
Prosopis juliflora, an invasive weed, and nearby salt mines.
For the enormous number of blackbucks in the sanctuary, the available space is insufficient.

About Blackbucks:

Blackbucks, commonly referred to as Indian antelopes, are antelopes that can be found in Pakistan, Nepal, and India.
The only living member of the genus Antilope is the blackbuck.
The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972's Schedule I forbids hunting of blackbuck in India.
The IUCN Red List categorises the blackbuck as having least concern.
After cheetah, blackbuck is thought to be the second-fastest animal.
Blackbuck, the state animal of Punjab
Hindu mythology accords blackbucks a sacred value, and the Rajasthani Bishnoi tribe is well known for its blackbuck conservation efforts.

Protection Status:

Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule I
IUCN Status: Least Concern
CITES: Appendix III

Threat:

Habitat Fragmentation, Deforestation, Natural Calamities and Illegal Hunting.

Source: The Hindu

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Tal Chhapar Sanctuary: Rajasthan

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