Blackbuck Conservation Area

Facts

Declared date: March 6, 2009 (2065/11/23)
Area: 15.95 sq. km.
District: Bardia
Municipality: Gulariya


Overview

Government of Nepal has declared Blackbuck Conservation Area in Bardia district covering an area of 15.95 sq. km. This is the first organized effort to conserve the already endangered Blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra cervicapra). Blackbuck is one of the protected species under National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 and enlisted as endangered and listed under Appendix II of CITES. This population is the last northern most population in the world. Blackbuck is primarily a grazer and prefers flat to slightly undulating terrain. The population in Khairapur was gone down to 9 in 1975 and due to persistent conservation efforts the population reached upto 177 in 1990. Then again the population has declined gradually due to habitat loss and degradation and biotic interferences. Now the population of Black buck in Khairapur Conservation Area is 213. To protect the species, a guard post was established on site in 1975. Blackbuck conservation action plan was prepared in 2007 and awaited approval.