Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated a remarkable environmental comeback during his latest ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, spotlighting the return of blackbucks to Chhattisgarh’s vast grasslands. Broadcast on Sunday in its 133rd edition, the program underscored how persistent conservation has revived a species long absent from the region.
Once locally extinct, these graceful creatures are now sprinting across open fields, thanks to a meticulously planned reintroduction effort by the Chhattisgarh Forest Department. Initiated post-2017, the project sourced blackbucks from premier zoos in Delhi and Bilaspur, integrating them into the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary over five intensive years.
Modi praised this as a model for mid-India’s wildlife protection, linking it to broader successes like the Great Indian Bustard’s breeding triumphs in Gujarat. There, eggs from Rajasthan fueled a hatching program that promises to rejuvenate dwindling numbers.
Shifting focus to harmonious living, the PM highlighted Chhattisgarh’s community-driven strategies against elephant conflicts. In Uttar Pradesh, innovative ‘Hathi Mitra Dal’ teams deploy technology—drones for surveillance and instant WhatsApp notifications—to preempt dangers, protecting both human settlements and elephant herds.
These efforts have slashed confrontations significantly, enhancing community confidence. Involving grassroots participation transforms locals into custodians of nature, striking a vital balance between progress and preservation. As blackbucks reclaim their terrain, they inspire a nationwide push for ecological harmony.
