RichyCapy at 19:03, 20 April 2026

2026-04-20T19:03:56Z

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{{Short description|Wildlife sanctuary in Punjab, India}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary
| alt_name = Black Buck Sanctuary
| iucn_category = IV
| image =
| image_caption =
| map = India Punjab#India
| map_caption = Location in Punjab, India
| relief = 1
| mapframe = Yes
| location = Fazilka district, Punjab, India
| nearest_city = Abohar
| area_km2 = 186.5
| established = 1975
| governing_body = [[Department of Forest and Wildlife (Punjab)]]
| website = {{URL|https://fazilka.nic.in/tourist-place/black-buck-sanctuary-abohar/}}
}}
'''Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary''' earned the status of a sanctuary in 1975 and again in 2000 under the [[Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972|Wildlife Protection Act 1972]]. It is located in the [[Fazilka district]] of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and is a private [[nature reserve]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garg |first=Balwant |date=2010-09-02 |title=Asia's Biggest Blackbuck Deer open Wildlife Sanctuary at Abohar in Punjab which is spread in the area of 46513 acre is on the verge of distinction |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/asias-biggest-blackbuck-deer-open-wildlife-sanctuary-at-abohar-in-punjab-which-is-spread-in-the-area-of-46513-acre-is-on-the-verge-of-distinction-alleged-navdeep-asija-a-known-environmentalist-natural-farmer-and-iit-graduate-quoting-last-census-navdeep-told-3500-blackbuck-deer-salman-khan-fame-3500-nelgai-blue-bull-10000-kala-teetar-black-francolin-and-many-more-spices-were-reported-in-wildlife-sanctuary-at-abohar-but-now-no-wildlife-survey-being-conducted-by-forest-wildlife-conservation-department-for-the-long-time-he-told-as-a-new-survey-will-open-up-some-of-departmental-hidden-secrets-so-the-department-is-avoiding-the-survey-told-navdeep-its-the-bishnoi-community-over-there-which-is-saving-them-nothing-much-has-been-done-by-the-state-government-to-save-this-asset-he-told-calling-upon-the-people-of-abohar-navdeep-said-at-least-drinking-water-be-arran/articleshow/6480679.cms |access-date=2023-03-13 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> It is known for being a preservation hotspot for [[blackbuck]], which is regarded as a [[Animal worship|sacred animal]] by the people of [[Bishnoi]] community who are native to the place.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary, Ferozepur|url=https://www.nativeplanet.com/ferozepur/attractions/abohar-wildlife-sanctuary/|access-date=2021-11-28|website=www.nativeplanet.com|language=en}}</ref>

== Conservation ==
The blackbuck deer are at risk of extirpation from the sanctuary due to predation by feral dogs, [[habitat destruction]], and the installation of "cobra wiring" (bladed-edged iron wire mesh) by local farmers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vasudeva |first=Vikas |date=2020-01-13 |title=Blackbucks are fighting for survival in Punjab |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/blackbucks-are-fighting-for-survival-in-punjab/article30558658.ece |access-date=2023-03-13 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Vivek |date=2021-08-10 |title=The 'buck' stops with Punjab govt as stray dogs hunt endangered antelopes – The Leaflet |url=https://theleaflet.in/the-buck-stops-with-punjab-govt-as-stray-dogs-hunt-endangered-antelopes/ |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=theleaflet.in |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sadosh |first=Raj |date=9 January 2022 |title=Need efforts to protect blackbuck |work=The Tribune India |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/need-efforts-to-protect-blackbuck-359497}}</ref> It has been proposed to resettle some of the deer to another site named Sohian Bir.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Harmandeep |date=2022-09-12 |title=Struggling to survive in Abohar sanctuary, blackbucks may soon gallop in a new home |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/struggling-to-survive-in-abohar-sanctuary-blackbucks-may-soon-gallop-in-a-new-home-101662924495364.html |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> The population of blackbucks in the sanctuary decreased from 3,500 in 2011 to 3,273 in 2017.<ref name=":0" />

== Location ==
The Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the [[Fazilka district]] of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India. It consists of 13 revenue villages which are inhabited by the people of [[Bishnoi|Bishnoi community]]. It covers over 18,650 hectares of land. It also consists of 13 farmlands of the Bishnoi people who work towards protecting the [[blackbuck]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Black Buck Sanctuary Abohar {{!}} District Fazilka, Government of Punjab {{!}} India|url=https://fazilka.nic.in/tourist-place/black-buck-sanctuary-abohar/|access-date=2021-11-28|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Major attractions ==
Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary is a major tourist spot. It is home to different varieties of flora and fauna. It is most famous for blackbuck deer and [[Nilgai|Blue bull]]. Other species of animals and plants like [[hare]], [[jackal]], [[wild boar]], [[albizia lebbeck]], [[Vachellia nilotica|acacia nilotica]], [[azadirachta indica]], a. Tortilis, etc., are found here.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state - GKToday|url=https://www.gktoday.in/question/the-abohar-wildlife-sanctuary-is-located-in-which|access-date=2021-11-28|website=www.gktoday.in}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Bir Aishvan Wildlife Sanctuary]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{coord|30|01|30|N|74|20|40|E|type:landmark_region:IN_dim:20000|display=title}}

[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Fazilka district]]
[[Category:1975 establishments in Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1975]]
[[Category:Geography of Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Environment of Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Nature conservation in India]]
[[Category:Protected areas of India]]

Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary - Revision history

RichyCapy at 19:03, 20 April 2026