Why in news? The famous Tal Chhapar blackbuck sanctuary in Rajasthan’s Churu district has received a protective cover against a proposed move of the State government to reduce the size of its eco-sensitive zone.

 Highlights

• Rajasthan High Court has ordered a “complete prohibition” on any action to reduce the wildlife sanctuary’s area.

About Tal Chhapar Sanctuary

• Location: Churu District, Rajasthan, India
• Nearest city: Chhapar
• It is known for blackbucks and is also home to a variety of birds.
• From Jaipur on the fringe of the Great Indian Desert and situated on road from Ratangarh to Sujangarh.
• Geography: It is a flat saline depression locally known as a “tal” that has a unique ecosystem in the heart of the Thar Desert.
• Vegetation : has open grassland with scattered Acacia and Prosopis trees give it an appearance of a typical savanna.
• It was included in the itinerary of the “Heritage on Wheel” train of Rajasthan
• Chhapar – Sujangarh state highway divides the sanctuary area into two parts
• Sanctuary has a special type of grass called Mothiya locally(Seeds of grass Pearl shape)