Why in the news
Bombay Natural History Society and National Mission for Clean Ganga have launched a new conservation project in Dehradun to protect the endangered Indian Skimmer in the Ganga Basin. The project was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Jal Shakti C R Patil.
About Indian Skimmer
- Scientific name: Rynchops albicollis
- IUCN status: Endangered
- Habitat: Large rivers, estuaries, sandbars and islands
- India hosts around 90 percent of the global population, making conservation nationally critical.
Core objective
- Protection of river sandbars, which are crucial nesting and breeding habitats for Indian Skimmer and other riverine birds.
Major threats addressed
- Sand mining on riverbeds
- Altered river flows and sudden water releases from dams
- Human and livestock disturbance
- Predation and habitat fragmentation
Geographical coverage
- National Chambal Sanctuary
- Upper Ganga near Bijnor and Narora
- Ganga Yamuna confluence at Prayagraj
- Lower Ganga near the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar
UPSC Prelims pointers
- Indian Skimmer nests on exposed river sandbars.
- India holds the largest global population share of the species.
- Project combines science, community participation, and river planning.
- Linked with Namami Gange ecosystem restoration goals.
| [2014] With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements: 1. It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests
2. It strives to conserve nature through action-based research, education and public awareness 3. It organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 only |
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