Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve better known as Jayamangali Blackbuck reserve is the notified protected area in Tumkur district in Karnataka. This black reserve was formerly known as Maidenahalli Blackbuck Conservation Reserve.
Jayamangali Blackbuck reserve or Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve neighbours Maidenahalli, a small village in Madhugiri Taluk. This is situated in north-eastern tip of Tumkur district of Karnataka state. This area is a part of the plains of Deccan plateau and borders Anantpur District of Andhra Pradesh. Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve is now enacted as the protected area under the governance of the Forest Department of Government of Karnataka. This blackbuck reserve is the first protected area in this district. It allures the tourists from all parts of the country for blackbuck.
Jayamangali Blackbuck reserve is a 798-acre or 3.23 square kilometres patch of grassland with Eucalyptus and Acacia auriculiformis. It has the largest contiguous population of Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) in Karnataka, apart from Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary.
The open grasslands of peninsular India were once widespread across the Deccan Plateau. The post- independence time, however, they have shrunk to isolated patches thanks to immense pressure for cultivation, human habitation and other reasons that also include industrialisation.
In 1987, the Forest Department of Tumakuru Division of Tumkur District, Karnataka began an initiative in protecting the area when the blackbuck`s presence was brought to their notice. In 1992, after sustained efforts by the forest department of Tumakuru (Tumkur District) the jurisdiction of the area was handed over from the Revenue Department to the Forest department. The Forest Department then fenced a portion of the area and raised a nursery. A concrete watchtower was erected along with two wood houses and watchmen sheds. But, the ownership of the land still rested with the Revenue Department of Karnataka.
The zoologists worked hard to have to make this place as a tourist hotspot in Karnataka. Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve the first protected area of Tamkur district of Karnataka. The first status survey report on the area of the wild animals and the trees was published by Wildlife Aware Nature Club (WANC) in the year 1997. This helped the wildlife wing of Karnataka Forest Department to source data on this area and recommend it be declared a `Conservation Reserve`. The Government of Karnataka accepted this proposal. And from that time, Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve was named as the protected area by the Government of Karnataka.
