Extinct for 50 years, India’s rare blackbucks make a stunning comeback in Chhattisgarh — here’s how it happened

From Extinction to Revival: How India Brought Back Its Lost Blackbucks After 50 Years

In a remarkable success for wildlife conservation, the rare blackbuck — once believed to be extinct in Chhattisgarh — has made a stunning return to the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary after a gap of nearly 50 years.

According to officials from the Chhattisgarh Forest Department, the blackbuck population in Barnawapara has now grown to nearly 190 individuals, marking one of the most successful species reintroduction programmes in the state’s history.

From Extinction to Revival

The blackbuck, also known as Antilope cervicapra, was once a common sight in Chhattisgarh’s grasslands but gradually disappeared by the 1970s due to rampant poaching, habitat loss, and human encroachment.

In 2021, the Forest Department launched an ambitious project to reintroduce the species into its natural habitat at Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Balodabazar district. The initiative began with 77 blackbucks — 50 brought from the National Zoological Park in Delhi and 27 from the Kanan Pendari Zoo in Bilaspur.

The Road to Recovery

Initially, the blackbucks were kept in enclosures to help them adapt to local conditions. The early phase was challenging, with several animals lost to pneumonia. Forest officials, however, responded swiftly by improving living conditions, adding sand flooring, and deploying dedicated veterinary teams on site.

“The project team showed exceptional commitment. Despite early setbacks, the blackbucks adapted well to the grassland environment, and their population began increasing steadily,” said a senior forest official associated with the project.

Thriving Once Again

Today, after years of sustained conservation efforts, the open plains of Barnawapara once again echo with the sight of galloping blackbucks — their spiral horns and striking coats a symbol of the region’s ecological revival.

Wildlife experts say the return of the blackbuck has also benefited the broader ecosystem. Their grazing habits prevent overgrowth of invasive vegetation, allowing other native species and grasses to flourish naturally.

Future Plans

Encouraged by the success in Barnawapara, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department now plans to extend the reintroduction programme to Gomardha Wildlife Sanctuary, another key grassland ecosystem in the state.

Officials say the next phase will focus on long-term monitoring, habitat enrichment, and community participation to ensure the blackbucks’ continued survival.

A Symbol of Conservation Success

The blackbuck’s return to Chhattisgarh is not just an ecological milestone — it is a powerful story of hope, resilience, and human effort to restore what was once lost. From extinction to revival, the species’ comeback underscores the importance of scientific planning and local stewardship in wildlife conservation.