Blackbuck population faces survival challenges in Indian grasslands

The blackbuck, the sole living member of its genus, relies on its endurance and high-speed sprinting to survive in open grassland habitats. Once widespread across the Indian subcontinent, the species is now largely confined to protected pockets in India, with an estimated 35,000 individuals as of 2016.

Populations were historically decimated by trophy hunting during British rule, and the species is now extinct in the wild in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Today, blackbucks are recognized as key indicators of grassland health, though they face threats to their habitat. While the IUCN classifies them as least concern, they remain protected under Schedule I in India.

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