Black buck

Why in news?

• Odishas black buck population has increased.

About Black bucks:

• The blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), also known as the Indian antelope, is an antelope native to India and Nepal.
• It inhabits grassy plains and lightly forested areas with perennial water sources
• The blackbuck is active mainly during the day. It forms three type of small groups, female, male, and bachelor herds.
• The blackbuck is a herbivore and grazes on low grasses.
• The antelope is native to and found mainly in India, while it is extinct in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
• In India, hunting of blackbuck is prohibited under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
• It is considered as of Least Concern as per IUCN red data book.

Prelims Question:

Consider the following statements regarding Black Buck:
1.It is endemic to India.
2.It is seen mainly in thick evergreen forests.
Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to Prelims question