20 blackbucks rewilded in Banni Grassland on India’s 80th Independence Day, advancing native wildlife restoration

Gujarat Forest Department and Vantara take forward the restoration of Banni’s native herbivore community, strengthening the ecological foundations of a vital grassland landscape

On India’s 80th Independence Day, the Gujarat Forest Department, with technical support from Greens Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (GZRRC), Vantara, undertook the release of 20 blackbucks (Antilope cervicapra) into the Banni Grassland of Kutch. The conservation initiative represents a significant step towards restoring native wildlife in Banni and reinforcing the ecological character of one of India’s most important grassland landscapes.

The blackbucks released into Banni comprised five males and 15 females, transferred from Vantara, Jamnagar, after receiving the requisite approvals from the Chief Wildlife Warden, Gujarat, and the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). The entire transfer was carried out following prescribed protocols for wildlife movement and release, including veterinary examination, health screening, quarantine, disease surveillance, safe and humane transportation, and release. Vantara fulfilled all the necessary requirements as part of the process.

While the release involves 20 individual blackbucks, its conservation significance is much broader. The restoration of native herbivores is an important component of rebuilding the ecological fabric of Banni. Re-establishing and strengthening the native herbivore community can support natural predator-prey relationships while contributing to the recovery of a healthier and more resilient grassland ecosystem.

Banni represents a vast grassland landscape that sustains pastoral communities and a diverse range of native wildlife. Its historic herbivore assemblage has included blackbuck, chinkara, nilgai and wild boar. The recovery of these native herbivores, when supported by habitat conservation and scientific grassland management, can contribute significantly to restoring the biodiversity and ecological character of the landscape.

The initiative is also part of the larger national conservation direction focused on the revival of India’s native species and restoration of grassland ecosystems, a vision strongly championed under the leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. Project Cheetah, launched under this national vision, has brought ecological restoration, grassland recovery, strengthening of prey bases, scientific wildlife management and community participation to the forefront of India’s species recovery efforts.

The rewilding of the 20 blackbucks in Banni on the country’s 80th Independence Day thus marks a meaningful conservation milestone—one that goes beyond the release of individual animals to support the restoration of native herbivore communities, natural ecological relationships and the long-term resilience of Banni’s grassland ecosystem.

Dr Jaipal Singh, IFS, Chief Wildlife Warden, Gujarat, said “Restoring native wildlife is fundamental to restoring healthy landscapes. The release of these 20 blackbucks into Banni on India’s Independence Day is an important milestone in our continuing effort to recover the ecological character and biodiversity of this unique grassland. Such restoration requires science, sustained management and collaboration, and we appreciate Vantara’s technical support in carrying out the programme in accordance with prescribed protocols” 

Ajit Kulkarni, Special Director, Compliance & Due Diligence, Vantara, said ”There can be no greater privilege on Independence Day than contributing to a future in which India’s native species continue to live and flourish in the natural landscapes to which they belong. Species restoration is not simply about releasing animals; it requires a thorough understanding of the habitat, the species and the individual animals being released, as well as habitat dynamics, population planning, and the active support of all stakeholders, particularly local communities, to ensure the long term success and sustainability of these efforts. We are honoured to support the Gujarat Forest Department and the Government’s conservation vision for Banni, and to contribute our technical capabilities wherever they can strengthen India’s wildlife conservation efforts”

Part of a Wider Gujarat Native Herbivore Conservation Programme

The Banni release forms part of a wider programme to strengthen native herbivore populations across Gujarat. The Central Government, through the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has approved the translocation of 500 blackbucks and 100 chinkara, with the Chief Wildlife Warden, Gujarat, providing the necessary directions for the exercise.

While components of this wider programme support prey base augmentation in connection with the planned cheetah reintroduction programme, the Banni blackbuck release also has an important and independent species restoration objective: rebuilding populations of wildlife native to the grassland.

The Banni Grassland Forest Division has sought Vantara’s technical support for the wider translocation programme, including specialised herbivore transport vehicles, portable boma systems, veterinary expertise and technical support for safe handling and transportation.

The initiative builds on the Gujarat Forest Department’s sustained conservation work. With the approval of the Chief Wildlife Warden, Gujarat, Vantara has previously supported the Forest Department in the rewilding of nearly 80 spotted deer in Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, contributing to biodiversity strengthening within the Asiatic lion conservation landscape.

The Banni initiative further strengthens this model of conservation collaboration, with the State Government and Gujarat Forest Department providing leadership and stewardship, supported by Vantara’s specialised capabilities in veterinary medicine, wildlife management, translocation and post release monitoring.

As India celebrates its 80th Independence Day, the return of these blackbucks to Banni carries a significant conservation message: protecting India’s natural heritage means not only safeguarding species, but restoring the landscapes in which they can once again live wild and thrive.

About Vantara- Vantara, founded by Shri Anant Ambani, Executive Director of Reliance Industries Limited, is an animal welfare and conservation organisation.

Its ex situ programmes (care provided outside the natural habitat) include rescue, rehabilitation, treatment and long-term animal care (where required), supported by advanced veterinary medicine, species-specific nutrition, specialised infrastructure and multidisciplinary teams. Conservation breeding programmes are also undertaken to support the future restoration of viable populations in suitable natural habitats through rewilding.

Its in situ conservation work (conservation in animals’ natural habitats) supports native species restoration, habitat restoration and human-wildlife conflict mitigation efforts led by government authorities, conservation institutions and other partners in India and internationally.