Threats, Conservation problems of Chinkara (Gazella bennettii, Sykes, 1831) in Barmer district, Rajasthan
Nadim Chishty1, Narayan Lal Choudhary2, Pritesh Patel3, Pushkar Kumawat4
1Associate professor, 2-4Research Scholars, Wildlife, Limnology and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Government Meera Girls College (Mohanlal Sukhadia University) Udaipur-313001 (India) Email-narayanlalchoudhary1995@gmail.com, nadimchishty@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Chinkara populations facing many threats like- expansion of agricultural land and urbanization, predation by feral dogs, illegal hunting and poaching for its flesh, skins and horns, habitat destruction due to large scale industrialization and petrochemical activities, overgrazing causing depletions of Chinkara survival and populations in Barmer district. Electrical shock and iron wire fencing around croplands also responsible for deaths and injuries of Chinkara in many areas. Invasion of Prosopis juliflora and excessive cattle grazing responsible for declining of food availability and food scarcity in study areas. Strong need of chinkara conservation, awareness program in local peoples and community needed for better survival chances of this species. Creation of local and region corridor in roads, highways, another cause of chinkara mortality is water canals in Barmer region, they use to for drinking water and slip into canal and drown and can’t escape due to steep angle of canal. Excavation of artificial water bodies and holes for availability of drinking water throughout year especially in summer season. Genetic and molecular studies may be beneficial for assessing genetic variation among population at different places.