Status of the Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii Sykes, 1831) in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India

Abstract

The Indian gazelle or chinkara, Gazella bennettii, is among the six species of antelopes found in India and has a wide distribution in Rajasthan. The Thar Desert of Rajasthan has the maximum numbers of chinkara. A study was conducted to assess the Indian gazelle population in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, from November 1999 to December 2002 when 12 districts were surveyed. The overall estimated population was 1.089 ± 3.04/km2; the highest density was in the Jodhpur District (1.87 ± 2.02/km2). The gazelle was found to be living in complete harmony with religious communities such as the Bishnois, Jats and Sidhs. By contrast, it is threatened by, e.g. predation by feral dogs, habitat destruction, and poaching for meat consumption. The study confirms that there is a decreasing trend in the population of this gazelle in the Thar Desert. The population is sustainable in some areas of certain districts due to protection by local communities, such as Guda Bishnoian-Khejarli in the Jodhpur District, Alai-Satheran and Rotu in Nagaur, Chohtan and Gudamalani in Barmer, Bhadariyaji in Jaisalmer, Sanchor in Jalore, and Mukam-Samrathal in Bikaner.