NEPALGUNJ: Number of blackbuck found in Khairapur of Bardiya district is depleting in an alarming manner. Blackbuck is a rare species.

Blackbuck population was 600 some 32 years ago which has now declined to 184. Blackbuck, also popularly known as Krishnasar, is among other 16 wild species banned for hunting in Nepal.

Growing population density and increasing incidents of poaching are posing challenges to the efforts in conserving the wildlife, shared Tilak Sharma Himal, a parliamentarian from State-5.

Only five blackbucks, two male and three female, were found at Gulariya municipality-2, Patahakhairapur in 1976. The then Royal Karnali Hunting Reserve was protecting the wildlife.
Now the area of 708 bighas has been arranged for blackbucks. Around 18 million was spent for the arrangement of habitat for the rare species.

The Global Environmental Facility (GEF) has been providing support in the conservation effort of blackbucks in Bardiya.