Poachers killed 139 blackbucks between 2008-18, 108 arrested: RTI data

As many as 139 blackbucks have been killed by poachers in 10 years since 2008, with a maximum 31 in Madhya Pradesh, official figures obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act show.

Madhya Pradesh is followed by Karnataka, where 25 blackbucks were killed during the period, while Uttar Pradesh follows closely with 24, according to the data shared by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, which comes under the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

As many as 108 poachers have been arrested across the country for killing blackbucks between 2008 and 2018, with the maximum 38 in MP, the data stated.

Noida-based animals rights activist Ranjan Tomar had sought state wise data on the number of blackbucks killed by poachers since 2008 from the bureau, a statutory body formed to combat organised wildlife crime in the country.

Hunting of blackbuck is prohibited in the country under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Blackbuck population in the country had declined sharply in .