Jaisalmer: The Border Security Force will help conserve the highly endangered Schedule I caracal in Jaisalmer’s border areas, joining a Rajasthan forest department initiative to protect the elusive desert cat and its habitat in the Thar Desert.The joint effort will focus on improving habitat protection, strengthening monitoring, involving local communities and safeguarding biodiversity along the India-Pakistan International Border.A high-level team led by Wildlife Institute of India Director Govind Sagar Bhardwaj visited border villages and Border Out Posts at Dhanana, Murar, Navtala, Ghotaru and Moomal along with divisional Chief Conservator of Forests, Jodhpur, Anup K.R. and deputy Conservator of Forests, IGNP Stage-II, Jaisalmer, Devendra Singh Bhati.Officials assessed historical and potential caracal habitats, inspected ecologically important sites and discussed conservation plans with BSF officers and personnel.Bhati said forest department and BSF are working together to create conditions for caracal conservation in the border region and to involve local communities in protecting the species and the fragile desert ecosystem.The caracal, locally known as Syahgosh, is among the rarest predators of the Thar Desert. Officials said it plays a key role in the desert ecosystem and serves as an indicator of healthy biodiversity. They said habitat protection, human-wildlife coexistence and continuous monitoring were critical to its survival.
