GS Paper: GS3-18.Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

In the news

• The latest survey conducted by the Primate Research Centre NE India (PRCNE), Assam Forest Department has estimated a population of approximately 7,396 Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei) in India.

About Golden Langur

	Details
Identification	Recognizable by the color of their fur, which gives them their name. Fur color changes with the seasons. Young langurs are almost pure white.
Geographic Range	Found in Assam, India, and neighboring Bhutan year-round. Inhabits an area bordered by the foothills of Bhutan (north), Manas river (east), Sankosh river (west), and Brahmaputra river (south).
Habitat	Occupies moist evergreen and tropical deciduous forests, along with some riverine areas and savannahs in Assam and Bhutan. Prefers living in the upper canopy of sub-tropical forests in the south and temperate forests in the north.
Conservation Status	IUCN: Endangered CITES: Appendix I Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
Key Habitats	Ripu Reserve Forest and Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary serve as vital habitats. Fragmented habitats face instability and threats.

 

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Try this PYQ from CSE Prelims 2012:

Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?

(a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass

(b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard

(c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)

(d) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal

 

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In the news

• A recent state government notification has struck fear in Rajasthan community dwellers about losing access to forest produce and livelihoods.
• Communities, particularly those in western Rajasthan, are concerned about the state’s proposal to classify Oran, Dev-vans and Rundhs (sacred groves) as deemed forests.

What are Sacred Groves?

• Sacred groves of India are forest fragments of varying sizes, which are communally protected, and which usually have a significant religious connotation for the protecting community.
• It usually consists of a dense cover of vegetation including climbers, herbs, shrubs and trees, with the presence of a village deity and is mostly situated near a perennial water source.
• Sacred groves are considered to be symbols of the primitive practice of nature worship and support nature conservation to a great extent.
• The introduction of the protected area category community reserves under the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002 has introduced legislation for providing government protection to community-held lands, which could include sacred groves.

Historical references

• Indian sacred groves are often associated with temples, monasteries, shrines, pilgrimage sites, or with burial grounds.
• Historically, sacred groves find their mentions in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist texts, from sacred tree groves in Hinduism to sacred deer parks in Buddhism for example.
• Sacred groves may be loosely used to refer to natural habitat protected on religious grounds.
• Other historical references to sacred groves can be obtained in Vrukshayurveda an ancient treatise, ancient classics such as Kalidasa’s Vikramuurvashiiya.
• There has been a growing interest in creating green patches such as Nakshatravana

Regulation of activities in Sacred Grooves

• Hunting and logging are usually strictly prohibited within these patches.
• Other forms of forest usage like honey collection and deadwood collection are sometimes allowed on a sustainable basis.
• NGOs work with local villagers to protect such groves.
• Traditionally, and in some cases even today, members of the community take turns to protect the grove.

Threats to such grooves

• Threats to the groves include urbanization and over-exploitation of resources.
• While many of the groves are looked upon as abode of Hindu deities, in the recent past a number of them have been partially cleared for construction of shrines and temples.

Total grooves in India

• Around 14,000 sacred groves have been reported from all over India, which act as reservoirs of rare fauna, and more often rare flora, amid rural and even urban settings.
• Experts believe that the total number of sacred groves could be as high as 100,000.
• They are called by different names in different states:

1. Sarna in Bihar
2. Dev Van in Himachal Pradesh
3. Devarakadu in Karnataka
4. Kavu in Kerala
5. Dev in Madhya Pradesh
6. Devarahati or Devarai in Maharashtra
7. Law Kyntang or Asong Khosi in Meghalaya
8. Kovil Kadu or Sarpa Kavu in Tamil Nadu

In the news

• The recent Supreme Court ruling on tiger safaris in Uttarakhand’s Jim Corbett National Park has ignited discussions on wildlife conservation and tourism development.
• The Court has condemned the unlawful felling of over 6,000 trees for constructing buildings under the guise of eco-tourism.

About Jim Corbett National Park

	Details
Establishment	Established on August 8th, 1936 (originally as Hailey National Park)
Location	Uttarakhand State, Nainital region
Renaming	Renamed as Ramganga National Park (1954–1955), Later reverted to Corbett National Park
Total Area	1,318.54 square kilometers (509.09 square miles)
Ecological Zones	Dhikala, Bijrani, Jhirna, Sonanadi, Durgadevi, Dhela
Conservation Programs	Included in Project Tiger (1973); Part of World Wide Fund for Nature’s Terai Arc Landscape Program
Flagship Species	Focus on Bengal tiger, Asiatic elephant, Great One-horned rhino
Geographical Features	Ridges, streams, plateaus, ravines, grasslands, deciduous woods, pine forests
Importance	Designated as Important Bird Area by Birdlife International; Key role in wildlife conservation efforts

 

Court’s Decision on Jim Corbett NP

• Petition against Captive Animal Holding: The Supreme Court addressed a petition opposing captive animal holding in the national park.
• Permitted Tiger Safaris: The Court allowed the establishment of tiger safaris in peripheral and buffer zones with specified conditions.
• Balancing Tourism and Ecosystem Preservation: The Court aimed to maintain a delicate balance between promoting tourism and preserving sensitive ecosystems within Jim Corbett National Park.

Impact of Tourism on Locals & Wildlife

• Tourism as a Livelihood: Locals rely on tourism for income, with transportation, tourist safaris, food centers, and accommodation facilities contributing significantly.
• Infrastructure and Conservation: Tourism infrastructure obstructs wildlife corridors, impacting conservation efforts. The phasing out of Dhikala tourism complex is deemed necessary to comply with legal requirements.
• Animal-Centric Approach: The Supreme Court emphasizes an animal-centric approach over tourist-centric policies to ensure conservation in national parks.

In the news

• The inauguration of the National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) in Patna marks a significant step towards the conservation of the Gangetic Dolphin.
• The NDRC aims to facilitate in-depth studies on various aspects of Gangetic dolphins, including behavior, survival skills, food habits, and mortality factors.
• Led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, this pioneering institute promises to advance scientific understanding and foster conservation efforts for this iconic species.

Key Facts about Gangetic Dolphin

	Details
Discovery	Platanista gangetica also known as the “Tiger of the Ganges,” was officially discovered in 1801.
Habitat	Historically distributed in major river systems of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, including the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu.
Features	Essentially blind, hunts by emitting ultrasonic sounds. Frequently found alone or in small groups, usually with a calf. Females larger, give birth once every 2-3 years.
Importance	Indicator of river ecosystem health. Designated National Aquatic Animal (2009) and State Aquatic Animal of Assam.
Major Threats	Unintentional killing in fishing gear. Poaching for dolphin oil. Habitat destruction due to development and pollution.
Protection Status	IUCN: Endangered CITES: Appendix I CMS: Appendix I Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I
Government Initiatives	Project Dolphin (2020) Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar National Ganga River Dolphin Day (5th October)

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Try this PYQ from CSE Prelims 2015:

Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?

(a) Saltwater crocodile
(b) Olive ridley turtle
(c) Gangetic dolphin
(d) Gharial

 

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In the news

• A recent study aims to delve into the peri-mortem and post-mortem strategies of Asian elephants, offering insights into their behavior in shared human spaces amid environmental changes.
• The study area covered fragmented forests, tea estates, agricultural lands, and military establishments in the vicinity of the Gorumara Wildlife Division and Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal.

Elephants in India

	Details
Population Estimate	India hosts the largest population of wild Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus), with around 29,964 individuals, Approximately 60% of the global population (2017 census).
Leading States	Karnataka holds the highest number of elephants, followed by Assam and Kerala.
Conservation Status	IUCN Red List:  Endangered. CMS: Appendix I. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I, CITES: Appendix I.
Conservation Initiatives	Project Elephant launched in 1992, covering 23 states across India. Contributed to the increase in wild elephant population from around 25,000 in 1992 to about 30,000 in 2021. Establishment of Elephant Reserves. Total 33 in numbers covering approximately 80,777 Sq.km.

 

Recent findings

• Peri-Mortem Strategies: Asian elephants were found to carry carcasses by trunks and legs before burying them in a ‘legs upright’ position.
• Herding Behavior: Elephant herds exhibit avoidance behavior, choosing parallel routes to bypass paths where calf carcasses were buried.
• Burial Locations: Calves were buried in irrigation drains of tea estates, indicating a preference for specific locations.
• Herding Dynamics: The unique positioning of carcasses suggests careful handling by herd members, highlighting their care and affection toward deceased calves.
• Space Constraints: Prioritizing the burial of the head before the feet indicates strategic decision-making in situations of spatial limitations.

Environmental Context and Elephant Behavior

• Impact of Environmental Changes: Rapid environmental transformations and habitat destruction push elephants to explore human-dominated areas, resulting in the emergence of novel behaviors.
• Limited Documentation: While similar behaviors are documented in African contexts, elephant calf burial in the Asian context remains largely undocumented.

General Social Behaviour of Elephants

Elephants exhibit a wide range of social behaviors that highlight their complex and intelligent nature.

• Matrilineal Social Structure: Elephants live in multi-tiered societies, starting with family units consisting of related females and their calves. These family units form bonds with other families, creating clans and sub-populations. The herds are led by a senior matriarch who makes decisions on movement and resources.
• Communication: Elephants communicate through various calls, gestures, and physical contact. They have a sophisticated communication system involving over sixty different calls, including trumpets and rumbles that convey information across long distances.
• Empathy and Mourning: Elephants display empathy by comforting distressed companions through physical contact and vocal sounds. They have been observed mourning their dead, showing behaviors akin to mourning seen in humans.
• Cooperative Behavior: Elephant herds cooperate in raising their young, with adolescent females assisting in caring for calves. They also engage in cooperative actions like adopting an infant tormented by predators or helping wounded elephants by stopping bleeding and providing support.
• Individual Personalities: Elephants have distinct personalities that influence their interactions within the group. Some elephants show strong leadership qualities, while others are more introverted. These individual traits impact how they interact with other elephants.

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Try this PYQ from CSP 2020:

Q. With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:

1. The leader of an elephant group is a female.
2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.
4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

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In the news

• The Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, released the report on the Status of Leopards in India at New Delhi.

About Indian Leopard The Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is a leopard subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent. These are the smallest of the big cats. They are known for their ability to adapt to a variety of habitats. They are strong and agile predators that can climb trees and drag their prey up for safety. Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Vulnerable CITES: Appendix I Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

About the Fifth Cycle of Leopards Estimation

• The fifth cycle leopard population estimation was conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII), in collaboration with State Forest Departments.
• It covered 18 States of India, and focused on about 70% of the animals’ expected habitat.
• The estimation focused on forested habitats within 18 tiger states, covering major tiger conservation landscapes. Non-forested and high Himalayan regions were excluded.
• A comprehensive foot survey spanning 6,41,449 km and camera traps at 32,803 locations resulted in 85,488 photo-captures of leopards, providing valuable insights into their distribution and abundance.

Key Findings

• Population Estimate: India’s leopard population is estimated at 13,874 individuals, signifying stability compared to the 2018 estimate. Notably, this estimation covers 70% of leopard habitat, excluding areas like the Himalayas and semi-arid regions.
• Regional Trends: While Central India witnesses a stable or slightly growing population, regions like the Shivalik hills and Gangetic plains experience a decline. Overall, there’s a 1.08% per annum growth in sampled areas.
• State-wise Distribution:  Madhya Pradesh houses the largest population of leopards in the country – 3907 (2018: 3421), followed by Maharashtra (2022: 1985; 2018: 1,690), Karnataka (2022: 1,879 ; 2018: 1,783) and Tamil Nadu (2022: 1,070; 2018: 868).
• Habitats: Tiger Reserves or sites with highest leopard population are, Nagarajunasagar Srisailam (AP), followed by Panna (MP), and Satpura (AP).
• Declining Trends: While Uttarakhand reported a 22% decline in the big cat numbers — reportedly due to poaching and man-animal conflict, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal saw a collective 150% rise to 349 animals.

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Try this PYQ from CSP 2012

Q. Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?

(a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass

(b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard

(c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)

(d) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal

 

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