Great Backyard Bird Count 2023
• West Bengal highest number of bird species followed by UP and Andhra Pradesh
• India has the third highest species of any country
• GBBC was launched in 1998. Bird Count India organizes the GBBC in India
Sea Cucumbers:
• Sea cucumbers are echinoderms. They are marine animals with leathery skin and an elongated body containing a single, branched gonad. Sea cucumbers are found on the seafloor worldwide.
• In India, the commercial harvesting and transportation of sea cucumbers are banned.
• The Dr KK Mohammed Koya Sea Cucumber Conservation Reserve is the first sea cucumber conservation area in the world. It is located in the Cheriyapani Reef in the Indian Union Territory of Lakshadweep. It was formed in 2020.
• IUCN – endangered
• Sea cucumbers are in high demand in China and Southeast Asia.
• Geographic hotspots for conservation action include east Africa, the Coral Triangle in the southwest Pacific and Central-Western Pacific.
Sea weeds:
Sea grass:
Which among the following greatly depend on wind conditions during migration?
• Globe skimmer dragonflies
• Jacobin Cuckoo
• Amur Falcon
Bdelloid rotifers, a microscopic creature was unearthed from the permafrost.
Manda Buffalo:
• Manda buffalo is one of the unique breeds of buffaloes found in India. It is found in the Eastern Ghats and plateau of the Koraput region of Odisha. The Manda are resistant to parasitic infections and are less prone to diseases.
Hilsa fish:
• It travels up the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy from the Bay of Bengal during the rainy season to spawn.
• The fish is also found in the Arabian Sea from where it goes upstream through rivers in Gujarat and Pakistan's Sindhu river, as well as in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Vietnam and China seas.
• The peak upstream migration of the fish coincides with the advent of Monsoon -- July and August -- and continues up to October and November.
• Hilsa, the pricey but notoriously bony fish beloved by Bengalis, has been caught in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand for the first time in three decades after the gates and fish locks of Farakka barrage were changed to allow the upstream migration of the fish that lives in the seas but spawns in the rivers.
Butterflies:
• Largest Bufferfly in India – Southern Birdwing (State Butterfly of Karnataka)
• Smallest Butterfly in India – Grass Jewel
• No national butterfly
• Blue Mormon is the state butterfly of Maharashtra.
o By declaring Blue Mormon as its state butterfly, in 2015, Maharashtra became the first state in India to have a ‘State butterfly’.
• In the order of announcement.
o Blue Mormon - Maharashtra (First)
o Common Peacock - Uttarakhand
o Southern Birdwing - Karnataka - It is seen up to a height of 3,000 ft in the Western Ghats limits.
o Malabar Banded Peacock or Buddha Butterfly - Kerala
o Tamil Yeoman - TN
o Kaiser i Hind - Arunachal Pradesh (Latest as of 2021 November)
Bamboo dwelling bat:
• Meghalaya has yielded India’s first bamboo dwelling bat with sticky discs, taking the species count of the flying mammal in the country to 130.
• The disc-footed bat has raised the variety of bat species in Meghalaya to 66 making the state the one with the highest number of species of bats in the country.
• The disk-footed bat is found in Laos, Southern China, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar.
• Recently, the disc-footed bat was recorded in the in Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya.
Spot Billed Pelicans or Grey Pelican:
• Pelicans are large water birds characterized by a long beak and a large throat pouch.
• It breeds in southern Asia from southern Iran across India east to Indonesia.
• The bird lives in coastal waters and large inland, especially large lakes.
• Breeding population of these species is limited to India, Cambodia and Sri Lanka. In non-breeding season they are recorded in Myanmar, Nepal, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
• IUCN Red List category: Near Threatened; Schedule IV in WPA+
• They are not a great swimmer and catch fishes near the surface
• The common name comes from blue spots on sides of the large bills
• The pouch which is called the gular is for catching fish
• Nests are built on trees; droppings are used as fertilizer
• Atapaka bird sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh is identified as the world’s largest home for spot-billed pelicans.
• Nelapattu bird sanctuary in AP is considered one of the biggest habitats for some hundreds of pelicans.
Houbara bustard:
• Vulnerable
• Two distinct species found in North Africa and Asia
• The population of the Asian houbara bustards extends from northeast Asia, across central Asia, the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula to reach the Sinai desert.
• After breeding in the spring, the Asian bustards migrate south to spend the winter in Pakistan, the Arabian Peninsula and nearby Southwest Asia.
• The Arab royals hunt the bird as a sport and also because its meat is believed to be an aphrodisiac. Pakistan invites UAE Royals to hunt these birds.
o An aphrodisiac is a food or drug that arouses sexual instinct, brings on desire, or increases sexual pleasure or performance.
Amur Falcon:
• World’s largest travelling Raptor
• CMS Appendix II - Migrates from East Asia to Southern Africa – arrives in Arunachal Pradesh and Naga Hills
o Breed in South East Siberia and Northern China and migrate to India in winters
• IUCN – Least Concern
• Name derived from Amur River – forming border between Russia and China
• Capital of Amur Falcon or Falcon Capital of the World – Nagaland
• Pangti, a small village close to the Doyang reservoir in Nagaland, which took the lead in conserving the Amur falcons.
• Doyang reservoir in Nagaland probably hosts the single largest congregation of Amur falcons recorded anywhere in the world
• Tokhii Emong festival in Nagaland for Amur Falcon
• Manipur conducts first census of Amur Falcon
Red Sanders/ Red Sandalwood/ Sanders wood:
• It is a tree endemic to Southern Eastern Ghats - a distinct tract of forests in Andhra Pradesh
• Height of 10 to 15 metres. Very slow growing tree species that attains maturity after 25 to 40 years
• They are found in the Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest of the Palakonda and Seshachalam hill ranges of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and also found in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
• It is used for various purposes such as immunity medicine; it is used in Ayurveda and Siddha medicine.
• Most exports – China> Hong Kong> Singapore and USA
• Demanded more in Japan and China for their cosmetic and medicinal uses. It is also used to make furniture, woodcraft and musical instruments
• Red sandalwood has been used for making the bridge and also the neck of the Japanese musical instrument Shamisen and in furniture in China for its porch appearance.
• Used to make red dye – used as colouring agent in textiles in medicines
• This tree is valued for the rich red color of its wood. It is non aromatic.
o The tree is not to be confused with the aromatic Santalum sandalwood trees (auromatic) that grow natively in South India.
• The IUCN has classified red sanders as endangered (Assessment year: 2020).
• Red Sanders is listed in the Appendix II of CITES which regulates the export. Thus it requires a licence certificate to carry international trade.
• Schedule IV of the wildlife protection act
• Under foreign trade policy of India, import of red sanders is prohibited while export is restricted
• Non Detriment Finding - CITES
• Export of Red Sanders
o The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) revised its export policy in 2019 to permit the export of red sanders if it is obtained from cultivated land.
o The harvest of the tree is also restricted across states
Pangolin:
• Pangolin comes from the Malay word for ‘something that rolls up’. They are the only known mammals who have protective keratin scales that cover their skin.
• Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world. They are high in demand in China and Vietnam for their meat and medicinal values of their scales. White Bellied Pangolin are the most trafficked species
• It is an insectivorous mammal. It feeds on ants and termites. Also called scaly ant eaters.
• Eight species of pangolins are found on two continents.
o 4 in Africa and 4 in Asia;
o 4 species in Asia - Indian pangolin, Philippine pangolin, Sunda pangolin, Chinese pangolin
o Only two of the 8 species are Critically Endangered.
• 2 species of pangolin found in India are - Indian Pangolin (Endangered) and Chinese pangolin (Critically Endangered)
• Indian Pangolin:
o Indian Pangolin is found in the foothills of Himalayas, Northern Plains and Southern India. Widely distributed in India, except the arid region, high Himalayas and the North-East.
o Various types of tropical forests; Open land, grasslands and degraded habitats, including in close proximity to villages.
o Protection: Schedule I - Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Appendix II – CITES
• Chinese Pangolin
o Found only in North Eastern India, Himalayan foothills in Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Northern India, NE Bangladesh and Southern China.
o Protection: CITES Appendix II and Schedule I – WPA
Duck Billed Platypus – egg laying mammal:
• This is a rare venomous mammal which hunts by tracking electrical signals like a shark.
• Because it has no teeth it uses gravel to break down food like a bird.
• Its DNA shares genes with reptiles, birds and mammals, and recently it was discovered that it glows under UV light.
• Endemic to Eastern Australia including Tasmania
Noctiluca scintillans
• It is a free-living, marine-dwelling species of dinoflagellate that exhibits bioluminescence.
• The species does not produce a toxin but it was found to accumulate toxic levels of ammonia.
Himalayan Serow:
• The Himalayan serow is a subspecies of the mainland serow and is native to the Himalayas. (Vulnerable)
• ‘Locally called “Thar” - herbivore.
• They prefer damp and thickly wooded gorges and are typically found at altitudes between 2,000 metres and 4,000 metres.
• There are several species of serows- all of them are found in Asia. The mainland serow is native to Himalayas of India, China and parts of SE Asia.
• Medium-sized mammal with a large head, thick neck, short limbs, and a coat of dark hair.
• Himalayan serow is restricted to the Himalayan region- found in eastern, central, and western Himalayas. It resembles goat, antelope, pig or a cow.
Microalga Uronema africanum Borge:
• Researchers from University of Madras and Presidency College, Chennai, have isolated an alga that breaks down low density polyethylene. This is a species of microalgae that is commonly found in Africa, Asia and Europe.
• The alga used for the study has been harvested from a lake in Chennai.
• The microalga was found to produce enzymes, hormones, toxins such as cyanotoxins and some polysaccharides which were able to slowly degrade polyethylene into monomers which will not have harmful effect in the atmosphere.
• Low-density polyethylene is highly resistant to degradation.
Rhinos:
• In Asia, there are three rhino species - Sumatran rhino, Javan rhino and Indian rhino.
• The great one-horned rhinoceros or Indian Rhino is the largest of all rhino species.
• Vulnerable
• Distribution of one horned Rhino – Earlier in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and India; Now in India and Nepal
• Tall grasslands and forests - foothills of Himalayas. It is the state animal of Assam.
• Rhino is herbivore and solitary animal – single black horn for Indian rhino
• Chitwan National Park (CNP), established in 1973, was Nepal’s first National Park which has good number of Rhinos.
• Rhino population more than 3,700 in India
• Characteristics: Brownish-Gray in colour; Hairless with a knobby skin; Single horn on top of snout; Excellent swimmer. Excellent senses of hearing and smell; Poor eyesight; Thrives in the grasslands
• Distribution in protected areas
o Kaziranga, Pobitora, Orang, Manas in Assam; Jaldapara, Garumara in West Bengal; Dudhwa in UP
• Project Rhino – 2005 (100 years of establishing Kaziranga national park in 1905)
o Kaziranga has an estimated 2,613, more than 65% of its total population of 4,014 in India and Nepal.
• Encroachment and poaching wiped the animal out of Manas and Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary. But now it has regained its Rhino population due to Indian Rhino Vision 2020.
Indian Rhino Vision 2020: (2005)
• Indian Rhino Vision 2020 aimed at attaining a population of 3,000 wild great one-horned rhinos from 2000 in seven of Assam’s protected areas by the year 2020.
• Aimed at increasing the number and range of rhinos in Assam through wild-to-wild translocations from Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary to potential Protected Areas. (Manas, Laokhowa-Buracharporikochmora, Dibru Saikhowa and also possibly Orang)
• Joint program of Assam Forest Department, World Wildlife Fund India, Bodoland Territorial Council and the International Rhino Foundation etc.
• Helped re-introduce rhinos to Manas NP - first Protected Area where rhinos were reintroduced.
Crocodiles: (3)
• Gharial - Critically Endangered
• Mugger crocodile - Vulnerable.
• Saltwater or estuarine crocodile - Least Concern.
• Odisha is the only State in India having all three species of gharial, mugger and saltwater crocodile
o There is a captive breeding centre at Nandankanan for all the three crocodiles
o Kendrapara district of Odisha - Only place to have all 3 Crocodile Species
o Bhitarnika river – saltwater crocodile; Mahanadi and Brahmani – mugger and gharial
• Gharials or Gavials
o Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus), sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts.
o Gharials are found only in freshwater habitats. Most aquatic of all crocodiles for it never moves far from water
o Gharials exhibit sexual dimorphism — or differences in characteristics between males and females of the same species — in both size and appearance which are absent in other crocodile species.
o Adult males develop a bulbous growth at the tip of their snout, called a "ghara" after the Indian pot it resembles. The ghara has several functions. It partially covers the crocodile's nostrils and acts as a vocal resonator, creating a loud, buzzing sound when the gharial vocalizes. It is also a visual signal for females, helping males attract a mate.
o Like tigers are the topmost predators in a forest, gharials are the topmost predators in a river as they balance the riverine food chain.
o Historically, gharial were found in the river system of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and southern part of Bhutan and Nepal.
o Today, their major population occurs in three tributaries of the Ganga River: the Chambal and the Girwa Rivers and Mahanadi in India and the Rapti-Narayani River in Nepal.
o They are found in the Chambal River. National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary at the tri junction of MP, Rajasthan and UP. In this sanctuary we can even find Red Crowned roofed Turtle (Critically Endangered) and Ganges Dolphin (Endangered)
• Mugger or marsh crocodile
o Native to Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Burma, Pakistan and some parts of Iran
o Most commonly found in freshwater environments like rivers and lakes
o Rate of mortality of hatchlings is extremely high
Big cats:
• The term "big cat" is typically used to refer to any of the five living members of the genus Panthera, namely the lion, tiger, jaguar, leopard, and snow leopard, as well as the non-pantherine cheetah and cougar. Except for the latter three, these species are able to roar.
• Despite enormous differences in size, various cat species are quite similar in both structure and behaviour, with the exception of the cheetah, which significantly stands out from the other big and small cats.
• Their native ranges include the Americas, Africa, and Asia; the leopard's range also extends into European Russia.
• A black panther is the melanistic colour variant of the leopard and the jaguar.
International Big Cat Alliance
• HQ – New Delhi
• Both range and non range countries can join
• Aims to reach out to 96 range countries of 7 big cats
• Tiger (EN), Lion (EN), Leopard (VU), Puma (LC), Cheetah (African – VU, Asia – CR), Snow Leopard (VU), Jaguar (NT)
Difference between Jaguar, Cheetah and Leopard
• Jaguar – 3rd largest cat after Tiger and Lion – found in Northern and Southern America
• Jaguar – Near Threatened; Leopard – Vulnerable; African Cheetah – Vulnerable and Asiatic Cheetah – CR
• Cheetah – solid black spots
• Leopard – Small densely packed rosettes
• Jaguar – Large rosettes with central spot
Cheetah:
• Cheetahs are found in Africa and Iran.
o Majority are found in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.
• 4 subspecies – Southeast, Northeast, Northwest African and Asiatic
o African Cheetahs are Vulnerable; Asian Cheetah – critically endangered
• It is also observed that among large carnivores, conflict with human interests is lowest for Cheetahs. They are not a threat to humans and do not attack large livestock either.
• The Asiatic cheetah is slightly smaller and slender than the African cheetah.
o While Cheetahs are the smallest of the African cats.
o Many believe that they could be faster than the African species with longer legs, but no tests have confirmed this theory.
• The Asiatic cheetah’s habitat is not as diverse as the African continent, which limits food sources for Asiatic cheetah. Hence the introduction of African cheetah might lead to territorial conflicts with other apex predators like leopards.
• The African cheetahs prefer grassland habitats where it has enough wider space to go after their prey without any obstacles
Asiatic Cheetah:
• Critically Endangered - Only in Iran – 12 in number
• During the British rule in India, it was called hunting leopard, a name derived from the ones that were kept in captivity in large numbers by Indian royalty to use for hunting wild antelopes.
• Extirpated in India. They were last spotted in India in 1952. Independent India’s only extinct large mammal and only large carnivore – the cheetah
Cheetah reintroduction in India:
• 50 cheetahs will be introduced in various National Parks over five years
• Eight cheetahs, five males and three females from Namibia
o Cheetahs from Southern Africa have the maximum observed genetic diversity among extant cheetah lineages, an important attribute for a founding population stock. Moreover, the Southern African cheetahs are found to be ancestral to all the other cheetah lineages including those found in Iran.
• This will also be special as it will be the first time such a large carnivore will be relocated from one continent to another.
• They will be rehabilitated in the Kuno Palpur national park in Madhya Pradesh.
• The other sites recommended for holding and conservation breeding of cheetah in India are:
o Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary - Madhya Pradesh
o Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary – Bhainsrorgarh Wildlife Sanctuary complex - Madhya Pradesh
o Shahgarh bulge in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
o Mukundara Tiger Reserve - Rajasthan
Snow Leopard:
• Vulnerable; CMS Appendix 1
• Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) – 2019 – estimated after 4 years
o First ever survey – released in 2024
o By World Wide Fund for Nature India, Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysuru and WII
o Method – Camera Trap and interview
o India has 718 snow leopards – 10% to 15% of global population
o Ladakh (477), Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Jammu and Kashmir
o Thus, Snow Leopard is present in 6 states and UTs
• State animal of Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh and National Heritage Animal of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• India has identified three large landscapes, namely, Hemis-Spiti across Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh; Nanda Devi–Gangotri in Uttarakhand; and Khangchendzonga – Tawang across Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Major sites in India
o Hemis National Park, Ladak – Snow Leopard Capital of the World
o Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh
o Gangotri National Park, Uttarakhand
o Khanchendzonga National Park, Sikkim
• Government of India has identified the snow leopard as a flagship species for the high-altitude Himalayas.
• Ghost of mountains – due to elusive nature in mountains with camouflage
• 12 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. (not Turkmenistan)
o Thus, they are only found in Central, southern and Eastern Asia - harsh, snowy, rugged alpine regions
• It is genetically linked to tiger, but named after leopard.
• Unlike other big cats, this cat cannot roar and only hisses and mews.
• Himal Sanrakshak - community volunteer programme by GoI to protect snow leopard
• International Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Forum (2013 – Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) - Adoption of Bishkek Declaration
• India is party to the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Programme –
o Intergovernmental alliance for snow leopard conservation and its ecosystem – 12 countries
o Secretariat – Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
• Project Snow Leopard – 2009
• Secure Himalaya Programme – funded by GEF and UNDP
o To conserve of high altitude biodiversity and reduce local livelihood dependency on natural ecosystems
Clouded Leopard:
• Vulnerable
• It is the State animal of Meghalaya.
• It is the smallest of the large wild cats.
• Cannot roar but can speak by meowing, grunting, prusten, and moaning.
• Clouded leopards have the longest canine teeth relative to their body size of any cat species.
• They are native to Southeast Asia - from the rain forests of Indonesia to the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas of Nepal.
o The clouded leopards are seen in dense tropical evergreen rainforests but can also be found in dry tropical forests and mangrove swamps. It has been found at relatively high altitudes in the Himalayas.
• Habitat in India – Himalayan foothills – Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura
o Clouded Leopard Sanctuary in Tripura
• They are amongst the best climbers in the family of cats.
• solitary, except during breeding or when with their cubs.
Leopards:
• Vulnerable
• Sub Saharan and North Africa, the Middle East and Asia Minor, South and Southeast Asia, and Amur Valley in the Russian Far East (Amur Leopard, Manchurian Leopard or Korean Leopard).
• Island ranges - Sri Lanka, Java, Zanzibar (Tanzania) and Kangean (Indonesia).
• Occurs in almost every kind of habitat - rainforests of the tropics to desert and temperate regions.
• Characteristics: adaptable to habitat and food requirements.
• Prolific breeders. Solitary animal and nocturnal
• Climber – storing the hunted remains in branches of a trees
• Unlike tigers, which are largely confined to forest reserves, leopards are far more adaptable and are found in villages
• Normal habitats – Grasslands and semi urban areas
o About a third of leopards are within protected areas
• A melanistic leopard is called black panther.
• Indian leopards form the largest population size and range outside Africa.
• Leopards are in maximum number in the Western Ghats region.
• Found in all forested habitats in India. Absent only in the arid deserts and above the timber line in the Himalayas.
• Status of Leopards in India 2022 – released in 2024 – 13,874 - MP>Maharashtra>Karnataka>TN
o By Wildlife Institute of India and NTCA – conducted as a part of quadrennial tiger survey
o The rosettes of each leopard are unique in shape and size, making the species identifiable individually.
Black Panther
• Melanistic variation of Indian leopard
Frequency of estimates
• Tiger – 4 years
• Elephant – 5 years
• Lion – 5 years
• Rhino – 3 years
• Gangetic Dolphine – 1 year
Tigers:
• Endangered
• Tigers form the largest member of cat family (Felidae)
• 9 sub species of tiger – 3 extinct and 5 extant
o Extinct - Bali Tiger, Javan Tiger and Caspian Tiger
o 5 surviving - Indian Tiger or Royal Bengal Tiger, Indo Chinese Tiger, Siberian/Amur Tiger, Sumatran Tiger, South China Tiger or Amoy Tiger, Malayan Tiger
Reports say that South China Tiger or Amoy Tiger is extinct in wild
o Most of the scientific names of tiger subspecies are named after their geographies. But Indochinese tiger’s scientific name is named after Jim Corbett (Panthera tigris corbetti)
• Tigers rely primarily on sight and sound rather than smell for hunting.
• Tigers are mostly solitary, apart from associations between mother and offspring.
• Average life span – 14 to 16 years
• The tiger landscapes in India are Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains, Central Indian Landscape and Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats, North-East Hills and Brahmaputra Plains and The Sundarbans
• 5th Tiger survey 2022 - Total population of Tigers in India – 3682 (2967 in 2018)
o Madhya Pradesh (785), Karnataka (563), Uttarakhand (560), Maharashtra (444)
o India is home to more than 75 percent of tigers in the world
o Russia has the second largest population of tigers in the world
• All-India Tiger Survey is conducted by NTCA every four years. Leopards are also counted
o Guinness World Records recognizing the country’s efforts as the world largest camera trap survey of wildlife
• National Parks with most tigers
o Corbett National Park> Bandipur National Park> Nagarhole National Park
o Presence of nearly 25 percent of India’s tigers outside tiger reserves
• CaTRAT - Camera Trap data Repository and Analysis Tool aid from artificial intelligence.
• threatened from Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) transmitted from CDV-infected dogs living around wildlife sanctuaries.
o In 2018, over 20 lions from Gir Wildlife Sanctuary had died due to canine distemper virus infection.
St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger: (2010)
• From an estimated population of around 100,000 a century ago, wild tiger numbers hit an all-time low of 3,200 in 2010.
• Resolution was adopted in 2010, by the leaders of 13 tiger range countries (TRCs) assembled at an International Tiger Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia.
• The resolution’s implementation mechanism is called the Global Tiger Recovery Program whose overarching goal was to double the number of wild tigers from about 3,200 to more than 7,000 by 2022.
• Adopted by 13 tiger range countries set targets to try to double the number of tigers living in the wild by 2022 (year of tiger in Chinese calendar) – TX2 programme
o 13 countries - India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, China, Russia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
• Decided to celebrate July 29 as Global Tiger Day across the world
• India achieved the target of doubling the tiger population 4 years ahead of schedule.
o But Nepal became the first country to double the Tiger population well ahead of India
Global Tiger Forum (GTF)
• Founded in 1994 - only intergovernmental international body established with members from willing countries to embark on a global campaign to protect the Tiger.
• Secretariat headquarters is located in New Delhi, India.
• It was formed on recommendations of international symposium on Tiger Conservation at New Delhi, India in 1993
• Out of the 13 tiger range countries, seven are currently members of GTF: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Vietnam besides non-tiger range country U.K
Global Tiger Initiative (GTI)
• Launched in 2008 - by the World Bank, Global Environment Facility, Smithsonian Institution, Save the Tiger Fund, and International Tiger Coalition (representing more than 40 non-government organizations).
• The GTI is led by the 13 tiger range countries - toward a common agenda to save wild tigers from extinction
• GTRP – Global Tiger Recovery Programme was launched by the World Bank in 2010 under the Global Tiger Initiative (GTI) to double wild tiger populations by 2022, with commitments from Tiger Range Countries (TRCs).
o The Global Tiger Forum (GTF) became the implementing arm for the tiger agenda
• GTI Secretariat, based at the World Bank
Asiatic Lion:
• Asian lions are slightly smaller than African lions
• Males do not tend to live with the females of their pride unlike African Lions.
• Female lions are the pride's primary hunters
• Striking morphological character - longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly; lack of prominent manes in males
• Their average life span - 16-18 years
• Asiatic lions once prowled from the Middle East to India. The Asiatic Lions are currently in the protected areas of agro-pastoral landscape of Saurashtra, Gujarat.
o Gir National Park & Sanctuary
o Girnar Sancturary
o Pania Sanctuary
o Mitiyala Sanctuary
• Endangered - IUCN
• 674 in 2020.
• The first Lion Census was conducted by the Nawab of Junagadh in 1936; since 1965, the Forest Department has been regularly conducting the Lion Census every five years.
• Maldhari community is involved in the conservation of Asiatic lion in Gujarat.
Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project:
• The project aims to establish a second independent population of Asiatic lions at the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh
Canine Distemper Virus:
• It is highly contagious viral disease that attacks gastrointestinal, respiratory, central nervous systems, immune system and other vital organs of wide variety of animal species, including dogs, coyotes, foxes, pandas and wolves.
• In most of the cases, this infection is fatal. It is also known as hardpad disease.
• Wiped out 30% population of African lions in East African forests.
• It is caused by single-stranded RNA virus of family of viruses that causes mumps, measles, and bronchiolitis in humans.
• This virus is similar to measles virus in humans and rinderpest virus which affects cattle.
Asiatic Lion vs African lion:
• Today, fewer than 30,000 African lions and only about 400 Asiatic lions are left in the wild.
• Lions live in matriarchal groups called prides that, on average, consist of four to six related lionesses and their cubs.
• Asiatic lions tend to be slightly smaller than their African cousins -- and have a thicker coat, a longer tail tassel and an abdominal skin fold absent in African lions.
• Male African lions have a more prominent, fuller mane than Asiatic lions.
• Asiatic lion prides tend to be smaller.
• Lions are the second largest cats on the planet, and tigers hold the title of the biggest cats existing right now. Male lions have the loudest roar of all the cat species that can be heard 5 miles away.
Great Indian Bustard:
• Critically Endangered and Appendix 1 in Convention on Migratory Species and CITES
• Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats covers this species
• Heaviest flying bird in India - largest land bird in its native range
o largest among the four bustard species found in India - MacQueen’s bustard, lesser florican and Bengal florican.
• Native to Indian subcontinent. Found now in India and Pakistan
o Once it was found in the entire dry plains of Indian Subcontinent.
o Now total population in India – 150 – 90% of total population
o Two districts Barmer and Jaisalemer of Rajasthan have a breeding GIB population in the wild.
o found in small numbers in Gujarat, MP, Karnataka, AP and Maharashtra.
• Habitat - dry grasslands, steppe regions, open country with thorn scrub, tall grass interspersed with cultivation, rain fed agricultural land
o same habitat as the blackbuck.
o Desert adapted species. Drinks water only if its available.
o flagship bird species of grasslands - important indicator of how healthy the ecosystem is
o It avoids irrigated areas.
• Omnivorous and diurnal species
• Sexes are distinguished by the colour of their feathers as both males and females are similar in size
• Very slow reproductive rate – only one or two eggs for one or two years – breed during monsoon season
o Success rate of eggs – 60% to 70%
• Breeding areas - central and western India and eastern Pakistan.
o It nests in open barren lands in summer. Lays one or rarely two eggs in secluded open ground.
• State bird of Rajasthan – has the largest population of 128 in Rajasthan – 85% of its total world population
o The GIB’s population of 128 in Rajasthan accounts for 85% of its total world population.
• In the last three decades, the species has disappeared from 90% of its former range.
o Collisions with high tension electric wires and fast-moving vehicles is a major threat to this species.
slow to manoeuvre while flying. They have poor frontal vision and a habit of scanning earth while flying over flat grasslands. As a result, they often collide with power lines.
o In some places, such as Rajasthan, increased irrigation by the Indira Gandhi canal has led to increased agriculture and the altered habitat has led to the disappearance of the species from these regions.
o The migrating population into Pakistan faces pressure due to hunting.
o This species has been heavily hunted for their meat and for sport.
o Consumption of their eggs in AP and Karnataka.
o Dogs also pose threat to their nests.
• Firefly bird diverters on power lines – shine light from the power lines and grab the attention of GIB
Lesser Floricans:
• Lesser Floricans is a small and thin bustard-like bird that lives in tall grasses.
• During the monsoon season, the endangered bird may be seen in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and other areas.
• Critically endangered.
Indian Skimmer:
• Endangered
• In India, Chambal and Mahanadi river basins are the prime breeding grounds of the bird.
Black Necked Crane:
• Nesting site – Tawang – Near Threatened
• Black-necked Crane is central to Buddhist mythology and culture. Locals in Assam call this bird “Deu Korchon”, signifying its key role in Buddhist culture
• State bird of Ladakh
• CMS Appendix 1
Black Browed Babbler:
• The species is endemic to Borneo. Only a single specimen, collected in the nineteenth century was known, until the bird was rediscovered in Borneo (Indonesia) during 2020.
• Often called the biggest enigma in Indonesian Ornithology
• Data Deficient category
Siberian Crane or Siberian White Crane or Snow Crane:
• CMS Appendix I
• Migrates to Bharatpur in Rajasthan – habitat is wetlands (Last documented sighting was in 2002)
o Threat – pesticide pollution, development of agricultural fields, hunting, wetland drainage.
• Among the cranes, they make the longest distance migrations.
• two breeding populations in the Arctic tundra of western and eastern Russia. The eastern populations migrate during winter to China (Poyang Lake – largest freshwater lake in China), while the western population winters in Iran and (formerly) in Bharatpur, India.
Indian peafowl or peacock:
• Native to Indian subcontinent
• Least Concern
State Birds:
• Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala: Great Hornbill
• Chandigarh: Indian Grey Hornbill
• Gujarat: Greater Flamingo
• Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha: Indian Roller
• Rajasthan: Great Indian Bustard
• Goa: Flame throated bulbul
• Tamil Nadu: Emerald Dove
• Bihar: House Sparrow
• Jharkhand: Asian Koel
• West Bengal: White Breasted Kingfisher
Greater Flamingo
• State Bird of Gujarat
• The Greater Flamingo is the largest species of flamingo and is the most common and widespread member of the flamingo family.
• It is distributed from Africa and southern Europe through West Asia to South Asia.
• The famous pink birds can be found in warm, watery regions on many continents.
• Greater Flamingos are found in a variety of saltwater habitats including salt or alkaline lakes, estuaries, shallow coastal lagoons and mudflats. They are found in shallow eutrophic water bodies.
• During the colder times of the year, many of the Great Flamingos in Asia migrate to warmer climates.
• In India, the greater flamingos migrate to freshwater and estuarine habitats across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Rann of Kutch of Gujarat and some other states.
• ‘Least Concern’; CMS Appendix II; CITES Appendix II; WPA - IV Schedule
• The annual Flamingo Festival is to be held in January at Pulicat lake and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh.
Great Indian Hornbill:
• State bird of Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala
• Vulnerable
• Hornbills are primarily frugivores - Fruit Eating.
• Hornbills are the topmost seed dispersers as they swallow the entire fruit without damaging the seeds. Thus healthy hornbills account for a healthy ecosystem and called as Farmers of the Forests.
• Nagaland - Hornbill Festival is celebrated in December every year. It is called as Festival of festivals
• Pakke Paga hornbill festival of Arunachal Pradesh - State festival of Arunachal Pradesh and its only conservation festival.
• India is home to 9 species of hornbills - Found across India - South, East and North east
• Great Indian Hornbills and Indian Grey Hornbills are most commonly found.
o Indian Grey Hornbill – Least Concern – State bird of Chandigarh
Narcondam Hornbill:
• The Narcondam hornbill is endemic to the Narcondam Island in Andamans.
• The Narcondam hornbill has the smallest home range out of all the species of Asian hornbills. Being endemic to an isolated, uninhabited island, the Narcondam hornbill faces the threat of extinction in the event of a natural calamity or a disease causing a species wipe-out.
• Endangered
• It is one of the two endemic hornbill species of India. The other one is Malabar Grey Hornbill found in Western Ghats. (Least Concern).
Fishing Cat:
• Vulnerable
• The fishing cat is a medium-sized wild cat. It is predominantly nocturnal.
• The fishing cat hunts in water. It has specialized features like partially webbed feet and water-resistant fur that helps it to thrive in wetlands.
• The fishing cat is threatened by the destruction of wetlands, which are increasingly being polluted and converted for agricultural use and human settlements. The conversion of mangrove forests to commercial aquaculture ponds is a major threat. Another threat to the fishing cat is the depletion of its main prey – fish due to unsustainable fishing practices and over-exploitation of local fish stocks.
• The fishing cat is the state animal of West Bengal.
• The fishing cats are found in very few places in the south and south-east Asia.
• It is broadly but discontinuously distributed in Asia and is primarily found in the Terai region of the Himalayan foothills in India and Nepal, in eastern India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
• They are also found in mangroves. Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary of Andhra.
Himalayan Yaks:
• Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Uttarakhand.
Himalayan Ibex:
• In India, the Himalayan Ibex is distributed mainly in the trans-Himalayan ranges of the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
• They are found in the western Himalayan region, usually at elevations of 3800m and higher.
• They are best seen in Pin Valley National Park, Himachal Pradesh, Kanji Wildlife Sanctuary, Ladakh.
Tibetan Antelope or Chiru or Shahtoosh:
• Native to the Tibetan plateau.
• They are hunted for their extremely soft, light and warm underfur which is usually obtained after death known as Shahtoosh is used to weave luxury shawls. It is light in weight and extremely warm.
• Near threatened
Otters:
• Carnivorous mammals - The 13 extant otter species are all semiaquatic, aquatic or marine, with diets based on fish and invertebrates.
• India is home to 3 of the 13 species of otters found worldwide – Eurasian otters, smooth-coated otter and small clawed otter
• Otters are an important part of the forest ecosystem. A growing or healthy population of otters means the water bodies of the reserve are pollution free.
• In India, the species is distributed in the Himalayan foothills, southern Western Ghats and the central Indian landscape.
Lion Tailed Macaque:
• Endemic to the rainforests of the Western Ghats and spreads over three States — Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.
• Endangered
Riverine Dolphins:
• Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mekong River, Cambodia: Endangered
• Irrawaddy dolphins in the Ayeyarwady River, Myanmar: Endangered
• Irrawaddy dolphins in the Mahakam River, Indonesia: Endangered
• Yangtze finless porpoise in the Yangtze River, China: Vulnerable
• Amazon River dolphin in the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers in South America: Endangered
• Tucuxi in the Amazon basin in South America: Endangered
• Indus River dolphin, Indus River system, Pakistan and India: Endangered
• Ganges River dolphin, Ganges-Brahmaputra River system, India, Bangladesh and Nepal: Endangered
South Asian River Dolphin:
• It is an endangered freshwater or river dolphin found in the region of Indian subcontinent, which is split into two subspecies Gangetic River dolphin and Indus River dolphin
• But recent researches show that they are two different species.
Gangetic River Dolphin:
• Endangered; CMS Appendix I
o Also called Susu, Shushak, Side Swimming Dolphin & Blind Dolphin
o Because of the sound, they make in the forms of whistles, they are called Susu
• National Aquatic Animal in 2009; Official animal of Guwahati
• Found in the river systems of Ganga, Brahmaputra, Meghna, and Karnaphuli-Sangu in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
o Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.
o Considered as vehicle of Goddess Ganga
• A stretch of the Ganga River in Bihar has been declared a dolphin sanctuary and named Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, the first such protected area.
o Locals of Bihar call them as Soons
• Seen as a reflector of the health of the Ganga River; thus, indicator species; Apex of the aquatic food chain
• The National Mission for Clean Ganga celebrates 5th October as National Ganga River Dolphin Day
• Population – 4000 – 80% of population is in Indian subcontinent
• The PM announced the launch of Project Dolphin in his 2020 Independence Day Speech and is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change.
• Can live only in freshwater.
• Not gregarious (sociable) - Frequently found alone or in small groups - generally a mother and calf travel together.
• Females larger than males. Gives birth once every two to three years to only one calf.
• Ganges river dolphins prefer deep waters, in and around the confluence of rivers.
• Uses Echolocation for preying as they are blind; It cannot breathe in the water, it being a mammal. It surfaces above the water every 30-40 seconds to breathe
• Gangetic Dolphin Research Centre – Patna, Bihar
• Method of survey – Tandem Boat survey method
• Threats: Death due to by-catch; hunted for meat and oil (both used medicinally; oil used to attract catfish in net fishery)
Conservation efforts for Gangetic Dolphins
• 2010 – Ganges River Dolphin Conservation Action Plan
• 2019 – Project Dolphin – engages fishermen and river dependent population in conservation measures
• Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary – Vikramshila Bihar
Indus River dolphin:
• Believed to have originated in the ancient Tethys Sea. Forced to adapt to rivers when the sea dried up approximately 50 million years ago.
• Only be found in the lower parts of the main channel Indus River in Pakistan and in River Beas, Punjab, India.
• Their numbers declined dramatically in Pakistan after the construction of an irrigation system - most dolphins are confined to a 750 mile stretch of the river and divided into isolated populations by six barrages.
• Total population: around 2000.
• Adapted to life in the muddy river.
• Functionally blind - Rely on echolocation to navigate, communicate and hunt prey.
• It weighs less than ganges river dolphins.
• Threats: Death due to by-catch, poaching, destruction of habitats due to pollution.
• Endangered
• It is the state aquatic animal of Punjab
Irrawaddy river dolphin:
• The Irrawaddy River dolphin is not a true river dolphin, but an oceanic dolphin that lives in brackish water near coasts, river mouths and in estuaries.
• It is an aquatic mammal found in discontinuous subpopulations near sea coasts and in estuaries and rivers in parts of the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia.
• ‘Endangered’; both Appendix I and Appendix II of the CMS.
• Mainly found in three rivers- the Ayeyarwady in Myanmar, the Mahakam in Indonesian Borneo and the Mekong (Cambodia).
• In India- mainly found along the Odisha coast, in Chilika and Gahirmatha.
Locusts:
• 10 important species of locusts in the world.
• Only four species viz. Desert Locust, Migratory Locust, Bombay Locust and Tree locust are found in India.
• The desert locust is the most important pest species in India as well as in intercontinental context.
Vultures:
• Totally 9 species of Vulture in India including migratory species.
• Out of which 4 are critically endangered
o Indian vulture/Long Billed Vulture
o White-rumped vulture/Oriental White-backed vulture
o Red Headed/Asian king Vulture/Pondicherry Vulture/Indian Black Vulture
o Slender-billed vultures
• Egyptian Vulture - Endangered
• Vultures live predominantly in the tropics and subtropics.
• All New World vultures and some of the Old World vultures have bald heads.
• Widely distributed, but absent from Australia and most oceanic islands.
• Old World Vultures have hard feet. While those of the New World have weak feet.
• They have an average lifespan of 10-30 years in the wild.
• Unlike other raptors, vultures have weak legs and claws.
• Vultures are slow breeders and so the survival of every individual is very crucial.
• Vultures have a highly acidic stomach that helps them digest rotting carcasses and kill disease-causing bacteria.
• The main reason for the decline in the vulture population is the use of the drug, diclofenac. Diclofenac, which relieves cattle of pain, is toxic to vultures even in small doses and causes kidney failure and death.
• India banned diclofenac for veterinary use in 2006.
• Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre is situated at the Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary of Haryana.
Polar Bear:
• A hypercarnivore is an animal whose nutritional requirements are found only in animal meat. Moreover, these organisms might be able to ingest plant matter but they do not have the physiological mechanisms that are required to effectively digest it.
• The polar bear is a hypercarnivore animal.
• “Vulnerable”
• Polar bears do not eat penguins as penguins do not make up the ecosystem of the Arctic.
• Yet another reason as to why polar bears would not have preferred to prey on penguins is that birds such as this cannot provide sufficient protein for the bears to survive the frigid Arctic weather.
Penguin
• Penguins are a group of aquatic flightless birds.
• They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere - only one species, the Galápagos penguin, is found north of the Equator
• They are highly adapted for life in the water: counter shaded dark and white colours, flippers for swimming, spiny tongue and powerful jaws to grip slippery prey.
• largest living species: The Emperor Penguin
• smallest living species: The Little Blue Penguin (or fairy penguin)
• penguins are carnivorous.
• Emperor Penguin - Near threatened
o largest and heaviest of all living penguin species
o Endemic to Antarctica
• King Penguin – Least Concern
o second-largest penguin species – inhabit Antarctica and sub Antarctican islands
Humboldt Penguin: Vulnerable
• The Humboldt penguin is a South American penguin living mainly in the Humboldt National Reserve in the North of Chile, although its habitat comprises most of coastal Peru and Chile.
• The Humboldt penguin’s breeding distribution ranges from southern Chile along the dry and arid coastal regions of the Atacama Desert to subtropical Isla Foca in north Peru. Its range is restricted to the coast and offshore islands affected by the Humboldt current, which provides a continuous supply of nutrients and food, thus supporting huge populations of seabirds.
• In South America, the Humboldt penguin is found only along the Pacific coast.
• Humboldt penguins are medium-sized penguins. They nest on islands and rocky coasts.
• The Humboldt penguin is a top predator endemic to the west coast of South America.
Arabian Sea Humpback whales:
• Only sedentary whales in the world, feeding and breeding in the same area. They are the only non-migratory population of humpback whales in the world.
o But Humpback whales are in CMS Appendix 1
• Endangered
Dugong: (Sea cow)
• The mammal is restricted to coastal habitat because of seagrass, which is a major part of its diet. They have a distinct dolphin-like tail, different skull form and teeth pattern.
• Its closest relative is Steller’s Sea cow, which got extinction in eighteenth century.
• Only existing species of herbivorous mammal that lives exclusively in the sea.
• It is found in the Palk Bay, Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch and A&N islands.
• Vulnerable; CMS Appendix II
• It is the state animal of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Mantees also look like dugong
Elephant:
• Elephant was declared as the National Heritage Animal of India in 2010.
• Elephants play a key role as a Keystone species in the forest ecosystem.
• India is home to largest population of Asian elephants - 60% of Asian elephants – total population in India is around 30,000
• Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are home to nearly 44% of India’s elephant population.
• 2017 elephant census data: Karnataka has the highest number of elephants at 6,049, Assam - 5,719, Kerala - 3,054
• Assam accounted for the highest number of elephant casualties on railway tracks (62), followed by West Bengal (57), and Odisha (27).
• African Forest Elephant - Critically Endangered
• Asiatic Elephant – Endangered; CMS Appendix 1
• African Savannah or Bush Elephant – Endangered (largest living terrestrial animal)
• Project Elephant – 1992
• 150 elephant corridors in India – most elephant corridors in West Bengal
Antelopes:
• Difference between Antelopes and deers - Deers’ antlers or horns are branched. Whereas those of Antelopes aren’t.
• There are many antelopes in India – Nilgai, Four Horned Antelope, Blackbuck Antelope and Chinkara - Indian Gazelle
Nilgai:
• Largest Asian Antelope
• Found across India and small amount in Nepal terai. Thought to be extinct in Bangladesh
• Least Concern
• prefers areas with short bushes and scattered trees in scrub forests and grassy plains
• Nilgai have been considered a pest in several north Indian states, as they ravage crop fields and cause considerable damage. In Bihar, authorities have classified the nilgai as vermin.
• Only males have horns
Nilgiri Tahr
• Endemic to Western Ghats – Open montane grassland – elevation of 1200 to 1600 m
• Feature – distinctive curved horns
• Largest population in Eravikulam National Park in Anaimalai hills of Kerala
• Endangered
Four Horned Antelope:
• Found only in India and Nepal
• Largely in Central India. Fragmented in Southern India, Himalayan Foothills and Gangetic plains and also in Gir National Park; Open Dry deciduous forests.
• For Horns are found only in adults
• Vulnerable; Appendix III of CITES for Nepal only
Blackbuck Antelope: (Indian antelope_
• Only found in Indian subcontinent
• State Animal of Punjab, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh
• Corkscrew horns and V shaped. Females are hornless
• Native to India and Pakistan; Regionally extinct in Pakistan and B’desh. Small population in Nepal
• Fastest Antelope in the world
• Similar habitat as the Great Indian Bustard.
• Males have corkscrew shaped horns and black to dark brown coats; females are fawn coloured
• Considered sacred by Bishnoi community
• Least Concern; Appendix III - CITES for Nepal and Pakistan
Indian Gazelle or Chinkara:
• State Animal of Rajasthan along with camel
• Native to South Asia (grasslands and desert areas in India, parts of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan)
• From south of the Krishna River, as far east as central India, and into the north-central region of Iran.
• Primarily found in the northwestern region of India in the state of Rajasthan. They are considered sacred in the Bishnoi Community of Rajasthan.
• Herbivorous. Smallest Antelope in Asia. Life span is also relatively small compared to other antelopes.
• They are also found in Karnataka which have dedicated wildlife sanctuaries for Chinkaras.
• Least Concern; Appendix III of CITES for Pakistan and not for India.
Spotted deer (Chital)
Sambar Deer
• State Animal of Odisha
• native to the Indian subcontinent, South China, and Southeast Asia
• Vulnerable
• Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular (active in dawn and dusk – twilight) herbivores
Himalayan Musk Deer: (Kasturi Mirg)
• The white-bellied musk deer or Himalayan musk deer is a musk deer species occurring in the Himalayas of Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.
• Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Endangered
• Inhabits the forested areas between 2,500 m and the treeline. Adapted for living in alpine, subalpine and upper temperate habitats (2500 m) even during winter.
• Found in: Nanda Devi NP & BR, Valley of Flowers NP, Gangotri NP, Kedarnath WS, Govind WS, Askot WS etc.
• It was previously considered a subspecies of the Alpine musk deer, but was separated on the basis of different skull proportions.
Alpine Musk Deer:
• The Alpine musk deer is a musk deer species native to the eastern Himalayas in Nepal, Bhutan and India to the highlands of Tibet.
• State animal of Uttarakhand
Hangul or Kashmir Stag – state animal of J&K
• Critically endangered
• only surviving Asiatic sub-species of the Red deer family
• Native to Kashmir and is found in dense riverine forests in the high valleys and mountains of the Kashmir Valley and northern Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh.
• found primarily in the Dachigam National Park and in Tral Wildlife Sanctuary in Kashmir
Indian Swamp Deer or Barasingha or Hard Ground Swamp Deer or dolhorina (Assam):
• State Animal of UP and MP
• Graminivorous: animal that thrives on grass.
• Vulnerable
• They prefer tall grasslands and open habitats. They are found in swampland and a variety of forest types ranging from dry to moist deciduous to evergreen.
• Range: central and northern India and southern Nepal
• India: Assam, Yamuna River, Ganges River, Brahmaputra River, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Arunachal Pradesh
o Kaziranga (Assam), Dudhwa National Parks (Uttar Pradesh), Manas (Assam), Kanha National Park (MP)
Indian Gaur: (also known as Indian Bison)
• State animal of Goa and Bihar
• One of the largest extant bovines.
• It is native to South and Southeast Asia. It is also found in Nepal and Bhutan. It is extinct in Sri Lanka and probably also in Bangladesh.
• In Malaysia, it is called seladang, and pyaung in Myanmar.
• Vulnerable
• The domesticated form of the gaur is called gayal or Mithun. Mithun is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
Red Panda:
• The red panda is a small arboreal mammal found in the forests of India, Nepal, Bhutan and the northern mountains of Myanmar and south western China.
• It thrives best at 2,200-4,800m, in mixed deciduous and conifer forests with dense understories of bamboo.
• Primarily Red Pandas are an herbivore, the name panda is said to come from the Nepali word ‘ponya’, which means bamboo or plant eating animal.
o The reddish-brown arboreal mammal feeds mainly on bamboo but also eats eggs, birds, and insects.
• In India, it is found in Sikkim, western Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling district of West Bengal and parts of Meghalaya.
• State Animal of Sikkim.
• Endangered.
• Red panda can be found in Namdapha National Park, Nokrek National Park, Balphakram National Park in Meghalaya, Khangchendzonga National Park, Neora Valley National Park in Darjeeeling, Singalila National Park in West Bengal.
Giant Panda:
• This animal was not known to the world till 1869. Every single one of the 2000 animals on the planet is in China only.
• The collective noun for a group of these animals is ‘an embarrassment of pandas.’
• World Wildlife Fund has panda as its logo
Yerrapalli formation of Pranhita-Godavari basin in Telangana:
• Has fossils
• One of the species identified includes a carnivorous reptile that lived 240 million years ago. It has been named Bharitalasuchus tapani.
• The Bharitalasuchus tapani were robust animals with big heads and large teeth, and these probably predated other smaller reptiles. They were approximately the size of an adult male lion and might have been the largest predators in their ecosystems.
Beema or Bheema Bamboo:
• Beema or Bheema Bamboo is a superior clone, selected from a higher biomass yielding bamboo species. This bamboo clone has been developed by the conventional breeding method.
• This species is considered to be one of the fastest-growing plants.
• It is said to be the best ‘carbon sink’ to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions.
• A fully-grown bamboo tree may generate oxygen annually sufficient for one person for one year.
• This clone is thorn-less and sterile. As it is sterile, this bamboo does not produce any seed and does not die also for several hundred years and keeps growing without death. As a result, this particular bamboo species can be able to establish permanent green cover.
• The plants developed through tissue culture are free from pest and disease, vigorous and superior and they can grow in the field for more than hundred years without any replanting
• Since the plants are produced through tissue culture, the culms grow almost solid and adapt to different soil and climatic conditions.
o Silviculture is the practice of controlling the growth, composition/structure, and quality of forests to meet values and needs, specifically timber production.
• Beema Bamboo is not a product of genetically modified organisms. In this case, new culms only grow around the mother shoot and hence it is non-invasive.
• After every harvest cycle, it re-grows and does not require replanting for decades.
• As its rhizome and root formation provide a strong foundation, the plant becomes robust against natural forces and plays a major role in mitigating global warming and climate change.
Pigmy Hog:
• Pygmy hogs are one of the world’s rarest and smallest wild pigs.
• The pygmy hog is native to dense alluvial grasslands in the southern foothills of the Himalayas. Endemic to India, they are restricted to very few locations around Manas National Park in north-western Assam.
• The Pygmy Hogs are intrinsic to the health of grasslands. It is an indicator species. Its presence reflects the health of its primary habitat, the tall, wet grasslands of the Terai.
• Once found along a narrow strip of tall and wet grassland plains on the Himalayan foothills – from Uttar Pradesh to Assam, through Nepal’s terai areas and Bengal’s duars – it was thought to have become extinct in the 1960s. But in 1971 it was “re-discovered” with a small population in the Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam.
• With just around 250 animals in the wild - ‘Critically Endangered’
• The Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme aims to increase the population of pygmy hogs in the wild (Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, Orang National Park and Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam)
• The number of pygmy hogs reintroduced into the wild under the PHCP has been more than their current original global wild population.
• Haematopinus oliveri, known commonly as the pygmy hog-sucking louse, is a critically endangered species. It is an ectoparasite found only on the pygmy hog
Gee’s golden langur or Golden Langur:
• endemic to western Assam, India, and southern Bhutan
• highly dependent on trees, living in the upper canopy of forests. They are also known as leaf monkeys.
• Golden langurs can be most easily recognized by the color of their fur
• our geographical landmarks: the foothills of Bhutan (Black mountains) (North), Manas river (East), Sankosh river (West), and Brahmaputra river (South).
• Endangered
• It is endemic to the semi-evergreen and mixed-deciduous forests straddling India and Bhutan.
• Chakrashila in Assam is India’s first wildlife sanctuary with golden langur as the primary species.
• Kakoijana Reserve Forest is one of the better-known homes of the golden langur.
Red eared slider or US slider turtle:
• The red-eared slider derives its name from red stripes around the part where its ears would be and from its ability to slide quickly off any surface into the water.
• Native to the U.S. and northern Mexico, this turtle is an extremely popular pet. But on the flip side they grow fast and virtually leave nothing for the native species to eat. The red-eared slider has already affected States such as Karnataka, Northeast and Gujarat.
• Originated from the area around the Mississippi river and the Gulf of Mexico, they live in still and warm water bodies such as ponds, lakes, streams, and slow- running rivers.
• They can out-compete native turtles for food, nestling, and basking sites. As they eat plants and animals, they can finish off a wide range of aquatic species, including fish and rare frogs.
• Studies show that they can also transfer diseases and parasites to native reptile species. In many places such as Australia and the European Union, it is illegal to import and keep these turtles.
• The trading of the red-eared slider is legal in India.
Marine Turtles in India:
• Five species of sea turtles are known to inhabit Indian coastal waters and islands.
• The Olive Ridley, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Green Sea and the Leatherback turtles.
o Olive Ridley and Leatherback – Vulnerable
o Loggerhead and Green Sea - Endangered
o Hawksbill – Critically Endangered
• Except the Loggerhead, the remaining four species nest along the Indian coast.
Loggerhead Turtle:
• Circum-global- throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans
• Except the Loggerhead, the remaining four species nest along the Indian coast.
Green Sea Turtle: Endangered
• Largest of all the hard-shelled sea turtles
• Only herbivore among other species - feeding on seagrasses and algae – thus by cropping the grass provide a nursery for numerous species of fish, shellfish and crustaceans.
• Reason for the name – Greenish colour cartilage and fat due to its feed on sea grass and algae – thus not for their shells
o In eastern Pacific region, green turtles have darker shells thus called Black turtles
• Green sea turtles are found around the world in warm subtropical and tropical ocean waters.
o Due to rising global temperatures, increase in nesting range in Mediterranean sea
• Warmer temperatures have led to feminization of green turtles, leading to significant scarcity or absence of adult males.
Hawksbill turtle: Critically endangered
• Circum-tropical, typically occurs from 30°N to 30°S latitude.
• Associated with coral reefs commonly
Giant Leatherback turtles:
• Vulnerable
• Largest of all living turtles.
• Only sea turtle that lacks a hard shell.
• Most migratory and most long-ranging - found in all oceans except the Arctic and the Antarctic.
• In India they are found in A&N islands in large numbers (Great Nicobar Islands).
• Nest on both tropical and subtropical beaches.
Olive Ridley Turtles: (Pacific Ridley Turtles)
• Vulnerable
• CMS Appendix I and II and Appendix 1 of CITES
• Olive Ridley turtles are among the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world.
• Inhabit warm waters of Pacific, Indian and Atlantic ocean
• Greenish colour of its skin and shell/carapace – hence the name
• Mostly carnivorous- jellyfish, snails, crabs, and shrimp. Occasionally eat algae and seaweed.
• Solitary in nature.
• The annual “Operation Olivia” by the Indian Coastal Guards helps protect Olive Ridley turtles since 1980s.
• National Marine Turtle Action Plan – launched in 2021
• Warmer temperature leads to more female hatchlings – effect of climate change
Nesting of Olive Ridley
• Olive Ridley turtles and the related Kemp's Ridley turtles are best known for their behavior of synchronized nesting in mass numbers, termed arribadas. It is a mass-nesting event when thousands of turtles come ashore at the same time to lay eggs on the same beach.
• Females reach the same beach from where they got hatched
• Mating occurs in the offshore waters of the breeding grounds and females then come ashore to nest. They lay their eggs over a period of 5 to 7 days in conical nests about one and half feet deep which they dig with their hand flippers.
• Breeding and Nesting season – come at the end of winter monsoon - November and December
o Each turtle lays 50 to 150 eggs – takes two months to hatch – by beginning of summer turtle hatchlings go out
• Low survival rate – only one hatchling survives out of 1000 hatchlings
• Major breeding grounds in India - Rushikulya (Odisha), Dhamra (Odisha), Devi estuary (distributary of Mahanadi) (Odisha), Astaranga Coast (Odisha), Gahirmatha beach (Odisha) and Hope Island of Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (Andhra Pradesh).
• Gahirmatha beach is acclaimed as the world’s largest-known nesting ground or world’s largest rookery of this species.
• Other global sites – Mexico and Costa Rica
Threats to olive ridley
• Climate change – skewing gender ratio – warmer temperature leads to more females
• Trapping in ghost nets – fishermen use old nets for long periods due to its high cost
• Debris and noise pollution
• Habitat degradation and fragmentation
• Resorts on beaches
• Plastic pollution – ingestion of polythene and microplastics – fragments of fishing nets
• Light pollution on beach and footprints –
• Artificial lights can misdirect – as they use reflection of moon and stars on water
• Solution
o state subsidization for timely replacement of nets
o Awareness on right methods to remove sea turtles, whales and sharks
o Using Turtle Excluder Device (TED) to help turles escape in trawlers
o More standard Coastal Regulation Zone
Northern river terrapin or Batagur baska:
• Riverine turtle native to Southeast Asia. It is considered extinct in much of its former range.
• The species is currently found in Bangladesh and India (in the Sunderbans), Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia.
• One of Asia’s largest freshwater and brackish water turtles. It is omnivorous.
• It is strongly aquatic but uses terrestrial nesting sites, frequenting the tidal areas of estuaries, large rivers, and mangrove forests.
• Found in Sunderbans
• Critically Endangered
Red Crowned roofed turtle: (Batagur kachuga) or Bengal roof turtle
• Freshwater turtle endemic to South Asia.
• The large Batagur turtles are probably the most threatened freshwater turtles in India.
• They are also found in Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary
• Critically Endangered.
Indian Star tortoise:
• Found in dry areas and scrub forests of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
• “Vulnerable”
• Quite popular in the exotic pet trade
Caracal:
• Medium-sized wildcat in Gujarat and Rajasthan
• Least Concerned
• The wildcat has long legs, a short face, long canine teeth, and distinctive ears —long and pointy, with tufts of black hair at their tips.
• The iconic ears are what give the animal its name —caracal comes from the Turkish karakulak, meaning ‘black ears’.
• In India, it is called siya gosh, a Persian name that translates as ‘black Ear’.
• It is carnivore, nocturnal, highly secretive and difficult to observe
• While it flourishes in parts of Africa, its numbers in Asia are declining.
• In India, the caracal occurs in Sariska Tiger Reserve and Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve.
Hoolock Gibbons
• Only ape species present in India. Hoolock gibbons are the second largest of the gibbons after Siamang. They are lesser apes.
• Found in all North Eastern States
• There are three Hoolock Gibbon species. They are Western Hoolock Gibbon, Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon and Eastern Hoolock Gibbon. Only western gibbon species is present in India.
o Earlier it was said that India (North East India) is home to two species namely Eastern Hoolock Gibbon and Western Hoolock Gibbon.
• Western Hoolock Gibbon: Endangered
White cheeked macaque:
• The scientists recently found white cheeked macaque in Arunachal Pradesh. The White Cheeked macaque was first discovered in southeastern Tibet.
• Apart from the white cheeked macaque, India has Arunachal macaque, Assamese macaque, Rhesus macaque.
• It lives in tropical forest, evergreen broad leaved forest, mixed broad leaved conifer forests.
• It is usually found at an altitude of 1395 meters to 2420 meters. They live in multi – male and multi – female group.
Neelakurinji
• Strobilanthes kunthiana – under Schedule III of WPA 1972- list of protected plants
• Cultivation and its possession is not allowed
• Endemic to Wester Ghats from the mangaladevi hills to Nilgiris hills
• 70 varieties of Neelakurinji
• Most popular is Strobilanthes kunthiana – blooms once in 12 years
• Kallipara hills in Idukki, Eravikulam National park – widespread blooing
• Expected in 2030
Sarus crane
• state bird of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in 2014.
• Tallest flying bird in the world
• Vulnerable
• under schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
• live in association with humans and well watered plains, marshland, ponds, and wetlands
• Estimated to be 15,000-20,000 individuals in India
• Nests are constructed on water in natural wetlands or in flooded paddy fields.
• predominantly grey plumage with a naked red head and upper neck and pale red legs.
Critically endangered and endemic to India – only 3 birds
• Himalayan Quail, Jerdon’s Courser and Bugun Liocihla
Wild Ass
• It is a sub-species of Asian Wild Ass
• Habitat: Desert and grassland ecosystems.
• Distribution: World’s last population of Indian Wild Ass is restricted to Rann of Kachchh, Gujarat.
• It is characterized by distinctive white markings on the anterior part of the rump and on the posterior part of the shoulder and a stripe down the back that is bordered by white.
• Wild Ass Sanctuary in Little Rann of Kutch of Gujarat
o only place where the Indian wild ass, locally called Khacchar, is found.
o sanctuary is home to a sizeable population of Rabari and Bharwad tribes
o Besides Indian Wild Ass, the other mammals found here include Blackbuck, Nilgai, Bluebull, Hare, Wolf, Foxes, Desert Cat, Indian fox, Jackal, Hyena, Wild boar, etc.
Invasive species
• Chital in Andaman and Nicobar Islands – due to lack of predators, they have led to decline in native flora and fauna
o WPA Amendment Act 2022 defines invasive species in narrower sense – it excludes species within India which might be invasive to a particular region
• African catfish in Keoladeo National park – preys on water fowl and migratory birds
• Nile tilapia
• Red bellied pirana
• Alligator gar
• Red eared slider – native to North America but edges out local freshwater species
• Cotton mealy bug – from North America affected cotton crops of Deccan causing losses