Which is Asia’s largest open wildlife sanctuary?

a. Abohar sanctuary

b. Periyar sanctuary

c. Gir sanctuary

d. Kaziranga National Park

ANSWER: Abohar sanctuary

Explanation:

To provide a safe natural habitat for blackbucks and also check poaching, MoEF has declared the 100 metre radius around Asia’s largest open wildlife sanctuary in eco sensitive zone of Fazilka in the Abohar subdivision under the Climate Control Act 1986 and Climate Control Rules also passed in the same year. Fazilika deputy commissioner Isha Kalia indicated this would help administration to develop an open wildlife sanctuary as a habitat for neelgai, wild animals and blackbucks. Protected species in what is Asia’s largest open wildlife sanctuary spread over 188 square kilometres has faced the threat of poaching and attacks by stray dogs, apart from poor upkeep of water tanks in the summer. Sanctuary was established in the 1970s to protect wildlife in Punjab’s border belt. Blackbucks are protected by the Bishnoi community which resides in Fazilika. Cluster is home to over 3500 black bucks, blue bulls and other wildlife species.