After being declared locally extinct for about 50 years, the blackbuck has made a remarkable comeback at Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh thanks to a focused five-year revival plan.
About Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary
The Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1976, is a protected area covering 244.66 square kilometers in Chhattisgarh. It is known for its biodiversity, featuring Indian bison (Gaur) and a wide array of other animals and birds. 

• Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the northern part of Mahasamund district in Chhattisgarh, India, covering an area of about 245 sq. km. It is named after two forest villages, Bar and Nawapara, situated in the heart of the sanctuary.
• The sanctuary was established in 1976 under the Wildlife Protection Act and features tropical dry deciduous forests with prominent tree species such as teak, sal, bamboo, and terminalia, along with plants like semal, mahua, ber, and tendu.
• The sanctuary is rich in biodiversity, home to a wide variety of fauna including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild boars, Indian bison (gaur), nilgai, four-horned antelope, chinkara, barking deer, porcupines, blackbucks (which have been successfully reintroduced), striped hyenas, wild dogs, jackals, chital, sambhar deer, pythons, cobras, and many monkey species.
• It also hosts over 150 species of birds including peacocks, parrots, blackbucks, herons, egrets, bulbuls, white-rumped vultures, green avadavat, and lesser kestrels.
• The sanctuary lies near the tributaries of the Mahanadi River, with the Balamdehi River forming its western boundary and the Jonk River the northeastern boundary.
• Its topography ranges from flat to undulating and hilly terrain from about 265 to 440 meters in elevation.
• Tourism activities include jeep safaris and guided walking tours mainly focused on wildlife and bird watching. The sanctuary also features several scenic waterfalls such as Dhaskund, Siddhakhol, and Nakuti Darha, and religious places like Turturiya Dham.
• The sanctuary is situated about 100 kilometers from Raipur, Chhattisgarh’s capital, and about 45 kilometers from Mahasamund city. The nearest airport is Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur.
• Barnawapara is notable for its combination of rich forest cover, diverse wildlife, and cultural heritage, making it an important site for conservation, tourism, and nature enthusiasts in Central India.

Download Pdf