<h1 class="ql-align-center"><strong style="color: rgb(230, 0, 0);">Blackbuck</strong></h1><p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><h3><strong>Context&nbsp;</strong></h3><ul><li class="ql-indent-1">A study conducted by the <strong>Indian Institute of Science (IISc) </strong>has shed light on how blackbuck in India have fared challenges to their survival.</li></ul><p><br></p><h3><strong>About</strong>&nbsp;</h3><ul><li class="ql-indent-1"><strong>Indian Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is an antelope </strong>and is the only living species of the genus Antilope.</li><li class="ql-indent-1">It is considered to be the <strong>fastest animal in the world next to Cheetah.</strong></li><li class="ql-indent-1">The horns of the blackbuck are ringed with one to four spiral turns and the female is usually hornless.</li></ul><p><br></p><h3><strong>Habitat</strong>:&nbsp;</h3><ul><li class="ql-indent-1">Blackbuck inhabits grassy plains and slightly forested areas.</li><li class="ql-indent-1">Due to its regular need of water, it prefers areas where water is perennially available.</li><li class="ql-indent-1">It is found in Central- Western India (MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra and Odisha) and Southern India (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu).</li><li class="ql-indent-1"><strong>Threats</strong> – Habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, increased anthropogenic activities.</li></ul><p><br></p><h3><strong>Conservation Status</strong></h3><ul><li class="ql-indent-1"><strong>Wildlife Protection Act-1972</strong> - Schedule-1</li><li class="ql-indent-1"><strong>IUCN</strong> - Near Threatened</li><li class="ql-indent-1"><strong>CITES</strong> - Appendix III</li><li class="ql-indent-1">It is the <strong>State Animal of Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab.</strong></li><li class="ql-indent-1"><strong>Tal Chhapar Sanctuary</strong> is known as the home of blackbuck.</li><li class="ql-indent-1">The <strong>Bishnois sect of people in Rajasthan</strong> are called ‘The Protectors of Black Buck’.</li></ul><p><br></p><h1 class="ql-align-center"><strong>PRELIMS NOTES:</strong><a href="https://sunyaias.in/notes/prelims-2023" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);"><strong>CLICK HERE</strong></a></h1><p class="ql-align-center"><br></p>