Blackbuck
Also called: Indian antelope · Topic: Biodiversity and its Conservation · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 2 "Forest and Wildlife Resources"
Meaning
The blackbuck is an Indian antelope that lives on open plains and grasslands. Adult males are dark with long spiral horns. The Bishnoi community of Rajasthan treat the blackbuck as sacred. They follow the 29 rules of Guru Jambheshwar (15th century), which forbid harming trees and animals. Their protection shows how community belief can save wildlife.
Example
Blackbuck roam the open fields around Bishnoi villages in western Rajasthan, where the villagers guard them.
Don't confuse with
- Chinkara: NCERT writes "black buck (chinkara)", but this is wrong. The chinkara is the Indian gazelle, a different animal. The blackbuck is an antelope with spiral horns, while the chinkara is a small gazelle with short horns.
Related concepts
- Project Elephant
- One-horned rhinoceros
- Asiatic lion
- Project Cheetah
- Gharial
- Hangul
- Project Hangul
- Red panda
- Snow leopard
- Great Indian Bustard