GURUGRAM: The state forest department is planning to reintroduce blackbucks to the Aravalis and create a sanctuary over 374 acres in Sarbasirpur reserve forest area for the animals.
The project has got the final approval and the department will float tenders next week, officials said.
“There are plans to develop a blackbuck habitat over a span of four years.
We will be floating a tender by next week to get a detailed project report,” said Vasavi Tagyi, the chief conservator, south Haryana.
Sarbasirpur reserve forest is near Farrukhnagar.
Blackbuck (antilope cervicapra), also known as Indian antelope, is the state animal of Haryana.
The animals thrived in the Haryana Aravali region till about four decades ago.
But their numbers have decreased over the years.
Now, they are listed as nearly threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and hunting is prohibited under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Act, 1972.
Blackbucks prefer to graze on short to mid-length grasses and survive well in open woodlands.
“The animals often share their habitat with spotted deer and in Haryana, blackbucks can be found in the grasslands of Mahendragarh.
That forest area is protected,” said Rajesh Chahal, wildlife inspector, Gurugram.
He added that if the plan works out, then Sarbasirpur will be the first reserve for blackbucks in the region.
In a preliminary report submitted to the forest department, it has been pointed out that the area will be a good habitat for the animals and it will be able to sustain a sizable number of blackbucks along with other wildlife, officials said.
At present, there are blackbuck conservation reserves at Ranebennur in Haveri and Jayamangali in Tumkur, both in Karnataka.