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Type: Species

  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    India’s Frogs: Conservation Gains through Science & Citizen Action

    Species | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in News

    • On World Frog Day (March 20), attention is drawn to India’s amphibians, where citizen science and conservation initiatives are helping address rising threats like climate change and habitat loss.

    Ecological Importance of Frogs

    • Act as link between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
    • Control insect populations (pests)
    • Serve as food for higher vertebrates
    • Help convert: → Insect biomass → Vertebrate biomass

    Global & Indian Status

    • As per International Union for Conservation of Nature:
      • Amphibians = most threatened vertebrates
      • 37 species extinct globally
    • India:
      • 450+ amphibian species
      • ~25% threatened
      • ~20% data deficient

    Major Threats to Frogs

    1. Disease (Historical Driver)

    • Chytridiomycosis caused by:
      • Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
      • Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans
    • Affects frog skin (critical for respiration & ion balance)
    • Impact: → Affected >60% amphibians globally

    2. Climate Change (Current Major Driver)

    • Impacts 39% species
    • Causes:
      • Mismatch in monsoon timing
      • Breeding failures due to: Early rains + prolonged dry spells

    3. Habitat Loss

    • Impacts 37% species
    • Includes: Wetland loss, Deforestation, and Urbanisation. 
    [2024] Consider the following: 
    1. Butterflies 
    2. Fish 
    3. Frogs 
    How many of the above have poisonous species among them? 
    (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Seals Trade Safety for Food: Arctic Study 

    Species | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in News

    • A study published in Ecology Letters (March 2026) by University of British Columbia and collaborators shows ringed seals risk predation to access diverse food in the Arctic.

    Key Species Involved

    • Ringed seal: Primary prey species in Arctic marine ecosystems
    • Polar bear: Main predator dependent on sea ice for hunting

    Study Area & Method

    • Location: Eastern Hudson Bay (Arctic region)
    • Tracked: 26 seals and 39 polar bears
    • Tools: GPS tracking, Dive data analysis and Sea-ice mapping + fish diversity models

    Core Findings

    1. Food vs Fear Trade-off

    • Seals avoid high-risk zones (areas with many polar bears)
    • BUT:
      • Enter these zones if food diversity is high
      • Stay longer underwater (long dives) even in danger zones

    2. “Landscape of Fear” Concept

    • Animals modify behavior based on predator presence
    • Seals:
      • Move quickly through risky areas
      • Adjust diving patterns depending on threat level

    3. Portfolio Effect (Very Important)

    • Seals prefer diverse prey instead of a single food source
    • Similar to financial diversification:
      • Reduces risk of food scarcity in changing environments

    4. Behavioral Adaptations

    • Possible ability to: Detect predators (e.g., listening for polar bears on ice)
    • Limitation: Hard to scientifically capture such micro-behaviors

    5. Climate Change Impact

    • Melting sea ice leads to:
      • Altered predator-prey interactions
      • Increased bear density in smaller ice areas
      • Entry of new predators like killer whales

    Key Ecological Insight

    • Wildlife survival depends on dual factors:
      1. Food availability
      2. Predation risk
    [2015] The term ‘IndARC’, sometimes seen in the news, is the name of: (a) an indigenously developed radar system inducted into Indian Defence (b) India’s satellite to provide services to the countries of Indian Ocean Rim (c) a scientific establishment set up by India in Antartic region (d) India’s underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Dugong

    Species | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    The Union government’s Expert Appraisal Committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has asked Tamil Nadu to revise the design of the proposed International Dugong Conservation Centre at Manora in Thanjavur.

    About

    • Large, slow moving marine mammal, commonly called sea cow
    • Exclusively herbivorous, feeds only on seagrass
    • Recognised as a keystone species for seagrass ecosystems
    • Scientific name: Dugong dugon

    Habitat

    • Found in warm, shallow coastal waters of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean
    • Prefers seagrass meadows, estuaries, lagoons and nearshore areas
    • Strictly marine species, does not enter freshwater unlike manatees
    • IUCN status: Vulnerable as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature

    UPSC Prelims Pointers

    • Dugong is a marine mammal, not a fish
    • Only marine sirenian found in Indian waters
    • Depends entirely on seagrass meadows
    • Listed as Vulnerable by IUCN
    • Protection of dugongs also conserves coastal seagrass ecosystems
    [2015] With reference to ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 

    1. It is a herbivorous marine animal

    2. It is found along the entire coast of India

    3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

    (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 (d) 3 only

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Asiatic Caracal spotted at Ramgarh in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer

    Prelims OnlySpecies | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    The elusive Asiatic Caracal (Caracal caracal schmitzi) has been rediscovered at Ramgarh, Jaisalmer, reaffirming its survival in the Thar Desert after years of uncertainty.

    Asiatic Caracal spotted at Ramgarh in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer

    About Asiatic Caracal:

    • Scientific Name: Caracal caracal schmitzi, the Asiatic subspecies of the globally distributed caracal species.
    • Distribution: Native to Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, Pakistan, and historically across northwestern and central India, now restricted mainly to Rajasthan and Gujarat.
    • Indian Population: Fewer than 50 individuals survive in India, with small, fragmented groups in the Thar Desert, Ranthambhore landscape, and Kutch region.
    • Habitat: Prefers semi deserts, savannahs, scrublands, steppes, dry forests, and open arid terrains; uses grassland scrub mosaics for hunting and denning.
    • Ecology: A shy nocturnal mesopredator feeding on rodents, hares, birds, and occasionally small ungulates; known for vertical leaps up to 3 metres to strike flying prey.
    • Legal Protection: Listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and categorised as Least Concern globally but critically sparse within India.
    • Threats: Habitat loss from land conversion, solar parks, linear infrastructure, hunting, and misclassification of grasslands as wastelands reducing viable habitat.
    • Conservation Status in India: Included in the 2021 Species Recovery Plan by National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) and MoEFCC, with urgent need for grassland restoration, monitoring, and community based protection.
    [UPSC 2019] Question: Consider the following statements:

    1. Asiatic lion is naturally found In India only.

    2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only.

    3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only.

    Which of the statements given above is / are correct?

    Options: (a) 1 only* (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

     

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Researchers to study rare Dolphin-Fisher kinship in Ashtamudi Lake

    Prelims OnlySpecies | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    In Ashtamudi Lake, Kerala, artisanal fishers and Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) engage in a rare and sophisticated form of human–wildlife cooperative hunting.

    Researchers to study rare Dolphin-Fisher kinship in Ashtamudi Lake

    Unique Dolphin-Fisher in Ashtamudi Lake:

    • Cooperative Hunting: Dolphins herd fish towards artisanal fishers standing in shallow water.
    • Signals: Dolphins give tail-slaps or rolls to signal fishers to cast nets.
    • Mutual Benefit: Fishers get high catches; dolphins feed on escaping fish, forming a rare human–wildlife cooperation system.
    • Documentation: First studied by University of Kerala researchers; Similar systems studied in Brazil and Myanmar.
    • Expected Outcomes: Insights into animal culture, evolution of cooperation, and improved sustainable fishing practices.

    About Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins (Sousa plumbea):

    • Distribution: Found from East Africa to India, the Middle East and western Indochina, with major populations along India’s west coast.
    • Appearance: Identified by a large hump under the dorsal fin, dark grey plumbeous body, white mottling, and occasional pink shading; adults grow up to 2.8 m, newborns 97–108 cm.
    • Identification Traits: Long slender beak, dorsal fin perched on a mid-back hump, adults darken with age and often show shark-related scars.
    • Habitat: Prefer shallow waters (<20 m) within 1.5 km of shore; commonly near estuaries, river mouths, bays and nearshore fish concentrations.
    • Group Behaviour: Groups of 50–100 reported in India; shy but often seen during dolphin-watching trips.
    • Diet: Feed mainly on mullet, mackerel, sardines, pomfret and other schooling fish; sometimes exploit fishing nets, increasing entanglement risk.
    • Conservation Status: Vulnerable (IUCN), Appendix I (CITES), NOT LISTED under India’s Wildlife Protection Act (only Ganges and Snubfin dolphins are listed).
    • Colour Variation: Pinkish tint comes from superficial blood vessels used for thermoregulation; calves are dark grey.

    Researchers to study rare Dolphin-Fisher kinship in Ashtamudi Lake

    About Ashtamudi Lake:

    • Location: A brackish estuarine lake in Kerala covering 5,700 hectares; designated a Ramsar Site (2002).
    • Name Origin: “Ashtamudi” refers to its eight channels, forming a gateway to the Kerala backwaters.
    • Hydrology: Fed mainly by the Kallada River; empties into the Arabian Sea via Neendakara estuary.
    • History: Once the ancient port of Quilon mentioned by Ibn Battuta.
    • Flora: Mangroves include Avicennia officinalis, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Sonneratia caseolaris; region hosts rare plants like Syzygium travancoricum and Calamus rotang.
    • Fauna: Supports 57 bird species (6 migratory, 51 resident).
    • Sustainable Fishery: Home to India’s first MSC-certified clam fishery (2014).
    • Livelihood & Ecology: Vital for traditional fisheries, estuarine biodiversity, and local livelihood systems.
    [UPSC 2012] Which one of the following is not a lagoon?

    Options: (a) Ashtamudi lake (b) Chilka lake (c) Preiyar lake * (d) Pulicat lake

     

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Panel seeks higher protection for Rhesus Macaque under Wildlife Act

    Species | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) chaired by Union Environment Minister has recommended reinstating the Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

    rhesus

    Back2Basics: Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

    • Objective: Provides legal protection to species requiring conservation monitoring but not critically endangered.
    • Protection Scope: Hunting, capture, or trade prohibited except under extraordinary conditions such as disease or threat to human life.
    • Legal Provision: Section 11 authorises Chief Wildlife Wardens to grant permissions for justified exceptions.
    • Penalties: Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine up to ₹25,000, or both; slightly lower than Schedule I provisions.
    • Species Included: Assamese macaque, Indian fox, Himalayan black bear, Indian cobra, large Indian civet, etc.
    • Distinction from Schedule I: Offers near-equivalent protection but allows limited regulation and control measures.
    • Authority: Central Government empowered under Section 61 to amend species inclusion or exclusion

    About Rhesus Macaque:

    • Scientific Name: Macaca mulatta, a species of Old World monkey native to South, Central, and Southeast Asia.
    • Distribution: Widest-ranging non-human primate, found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, and Afghanistan.
    • Physical Traits: Brown or grey fur; body length 47–53 cm, tail 20–23 cm, weight 5–8 kg; strong sexual dimorphism.
    • Habitat: Highly adaptable; lives in forests, grasslands, riverine zones, agricultural lands, and even urban settlements.
    • Behaviour: Diurnal, semi-terrestrial, and social; organised in matrilineal troops (20–200 members) with complex vocal and gestural communication.
    • Diet: Omnivorous, feeds on fruits, seeds, roots, cereals, and occasionally invertebrates; uses cheek pouches for temporary food storage.
    • IUCN Status: Least Concern, due to wide distribution and high adaptability.
    • Legal Reclassification: Previously listed under Schedule II of the WPA, 1972, offering stringent protection against hunting, cruelty, illegal trade, and exploitation. After the 2022 amendments, it was shifted to Schedule IV (mid-level protection category with lesser punishments).
    • Scientific Relevance: Extensively used in biomedical research, instrumental in developing polio, rabies, smallpox vaccines, and in HIV/AIDS and neuroscience studies.
    • Human Conflict: Increasing crop raids, urban aggression, and food theft; declared vermin in Himachal Pradesh (2019) for selective culling in non-forest zones.

    How is the Culling of Vermin allowed in India?

    • Definition: Animals declared harmful or nuisance-causing, legally permitted for hunting to safeguard life, crops, or property.
    • Legal Provision: Section 62 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 empowers the Central Government to declare species (excluding Schedule I) as vermin for specific regions and timeframes.
    • Earlier Classification: Schedule V (pre-2022) listed vermins such as rats, fruit bats, and common crows.
    • 2022 Amendment: Schedule V removed; Centre can now issue direct notifications declaring vermin status.
    • Declaration Process:
      • State government submits request citing local damage or risk.
      • MoEFCC evaluates ecological and administrative justification.
      • Centre issues notification for specified region and duration.
    • Examples:
      • Wild boar (Uttarakhand, Kerala, Goa)
      • Nilgai (Bihar, Uttar Pradesh)
      • Rhesus macaque (Himachal Pradesh, 2019)
      • Fruit bats and crows (select farming regions)
    • Legal Consequence: Once notified, the species loses protection, and hunting incurs no penalty during the declared period.
    • Ecological and Ethical Concerns: Risks of ecosystem imbalance and animal cruelty; experts advocate contraception, relocation, and scientific management instead.
    [UPSC 2022] If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?
    Options: (a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant. *
    (b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.
    (c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant.
    (d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem.

     

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  • Forest Conservation Efforts – NFP, Western Ghats, etc.

    Senna spectabilis removed from 1,963 hectares of land in Mudumalai TR

    India MappingSpecies | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has successfully removed Senna spectabilis, a highly invasive tree species, from 1,963 hectares of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR).

    Senna spectabilis removed from 1,963 hectares of land in Mudumalai TR

    Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

    • Location: Situated in Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
    • Area: Covers 321 sq. km, forming part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India’s first biosphere reserve.
    • Terrain: Undulating landscape ranging from 960–1266 m elevation.
    • Rivers: The Moyar River flows through the reserve, supporting rich biodiversity.
    • Vegetation: Includes evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forests, teak, bamboo, and grasslands (vayals).
    • Flora: Contains wild relatives of cultivated plants like rice, turmeric, and ginger.
    • Fauna: Home to tigers, elephants, gaurs, sambars, leopards, blackbucks, wild dogs, and 8% of India’s bird species.
    • Boundaries: Shares borders with Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala).
    • Cultural Note: The Oscar-winning documentary “The Elephant Whisperers” was filmed at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp inside MTR.

    About Senna spectabilis:

    • Origin: A fast-growing deciduous tree native to tropical America, introduced in India as an ornamental and shade plant.
    • Issues: Reaches 15–20 metres, produces thousands of seeds annually, spreading rapidly.
    • Invasive Impact: Dense canopy suppresses native trees and grasses, causes food scarcity for herbivores, and reduces biodiversity.
    • IUCN Status: Listed as ‘Least Concern’ but ecologically harmful in Indian forests.

    How was the eradication achieved?

    • Method: Threefold strategy- debarking mature trees, uprooting saplings with weed pullers, and mechanically clearing seedlings.
    • Duration: Large trees dry up in about 18 months after debarking.
    • Post-Removal Use: Felled trees used for paper production.
    • Objective: Restore native flora, improve wildlife forage, and ensure long-term ecosystem recovery.
    [UPSC 2018] Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news?

    Options: (a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.

    (b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows. *

    (c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.

    (d) None of the above.

     

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) to be classified as new species by IUCN

    Species | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    The IUCN has separately evaluated the Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) from the gray wolf, suggesting it may be recognised as a distinct Canis species.

    Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) to be classified as new species by IUCN

    About Indian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes):

    • Overview: Also called the Peninsular Wolf or Indian Grey Wolf; proposed as Canis indica owing to genetic divergence 110,000–200,000 years ago.
    • Distinct Lineage: Genomic studies identify it as the oldest surviving wolf lineage, basal to all other Canis lupus subspecies.
    • Distribution: Found across Deccan Plateau, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, extending into Pakistan and Iran; only 12.4 % of its range lies inside protected areas.
    • Population Status (2025): Estimated 2,877–3,310 individuals (IUCN Red List 2025) — classified as Vulnerable.
    • Legal Protection: Listed in *Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, prohibiting hunting, trapping, or killing <citation needed>.
    • Habitat: Prefers scrublands, dry grasslands, and thorn forests, increasingly threatened by agriculture, solar projects, and highways.
    • Ecological Role: Functions as a top predator regulating prey such as blackbuck, chinkara, hares, and rodents in India’s open ecosystems.
    • Social Behaviour: Lives in packs of 6-8 members, exhibiting cooperative hunting and silent coordination strategies.

    Evolutionary and Taxonomic Significance:

    • Early Divergence: Fossil and genetic data show divergence from Eurasian and Himalayan wolves well before the last Ice Age, evolving within India’s semi-arid zones.
    • Evolutionary Importance: Serves as a key model for studying wolf evolution, adaptation, and behaviour in tropical and dry environments.
    • Taxonomic Debate: Researchers propose recognition as a distinct species (Canis indica) based on unique genetic, ecological, and behavioural traits.
    [UPSC 2024] Question: Consider the following statements:

    Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the “vermin” category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

    Statement-II: The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals.

    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    Options: (a) Both statement I and Statement II are correct and statement II explains statement I

    (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

    (c) Staement- I is correct , but Statement II is incorrect*

    (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

     

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Status of Elephants in India Report (2025)

    Species | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) released its report “Status of Elephants in India” on October 14, 2025, marking the country’s first-ever DNA-based elephant population estimation.

    Elephants in India:

    • Overview: Elephas maximus, Asian Elephant, listed as Endangered (IUCN); protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and Appendix I of CITES.
    • National Importance: India sustains over 60 % of the global wild Asian elephant population, making it a global conservation stronghold.
    • Conservation Framework:
      • Project Elephant (1992) – habitat protection, research, corridor restoration, and conflict management.
      • Elephant Reserves – 33 notified across 15 states, covering ~80,000 sq km.
      • Corridor Initiatives – joint mapping of ~101 corridors by WII, WWF-India, and WTI to ensure genetic connectivity.
    • Major Landscapes:
      • Western Ghats – dense forests with corridor fragmentation.
      • North-Eastern Hills – contiguous habitats under human pressure.
      • Central India & Eastern Ghats – isolated herds with high conflict.
      • Shivalik–Gangetic Plains – corridor bottlenecks amid dense settlements.
    • Ecological Role: Elephants act as ecosystem engineers, dispersing seeds, maintaining forest–grassland balance, and regulating hydrology.

    About Status of Elephants in India Report (2025):

    • Publisher & Framework: Released by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under Project Elephant. It employs, for the first time in India, a DNA-based mark–recapture (genetic) estimation method for elephant census.
    • Census Period & Title: Conducted between 2021–2025, termed the Synchronous All-India Population Estimation of Elephants (SAIEE 2021-25).
    • Feature: Combines genetic sampling, field transects, and spatial-capture–recapture modelling.
    • Scientific Advancement: Establishes India’s first genetic reference library for elephants, linking individuals, herds, and landscapes for improved long-term monitoring.
    • Policy Context: Conducted under Project Elephant (1992) to align with national targets for corridor protection, conflict mitigation, and ecosystem restoration.

    Key Highlights:

    • Total Population (2025): 22,446 wild Asian elephants estimated nationwide using genetic data.
    • Previous Estimate (2017): About 29,964; apparent ~25 % drop due to new methodology rather than actual decline.
    • Regional Distribution:
      • Western Ghats Landscape: 11,934 (≈ 53 %)
      • North-East & Brahmaputra Plains: 6,559 (≈ 22 %)
      • Shivalik Hills & Gangetic Plains: 2,062 (≈ 9 %)
      • Central India & Eastern Ghats: 1,891 (≈ 8 %)
    • State-wise Concentration: Karnataka (6,013), Assam (4,159), Tamil Nadu (3,136), Kerala (2,785), Uttarakhand (1,792), Odisha (912).
    • Demographic Insights: DNA profiling enabled sex ratio identification, family linkages, and migration-corridor tracking, turning a static census into a dynamic population map.
    • Conservation Implications: WII urges genetic recensuses every 5 years, restoration of identified corridors, and integration of coexistence models in land-use planning.
    [UPSC 2020] 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?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only * (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only

     

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Blackbuck Re-Introduction in Chhattisgarh

    Species | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Why in the News?

    Chhattisgarh launched a five-year Blackbuck Reintroduction Plan (2021–2026) at Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary to revive the species after 50 years of local extinction.

    Blackbucks have vanished from Chhattisgarh by the 1970s, primarily due to poaching, habitat loss, and grassland encroachment.

    About the Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra):

    • Habitat: Native to India and Nepal, commonly found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.
    • Physical Traits: Medium-sized antelope with males having spiral horns and black coats; known as the fastest land mammal in India.
    • Behaviour: Diurnal grazer that thrives in open plains and grasslands.
    • Ecological Role: Serves as an indicator species for grassland ecosystem health.
    • State Animal: Designated as the State Animal of Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh.
    • Cultural Symbolism: Represents purity in Hinduism and good fortune in Buddhism.
    • Legal Protection:
      • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I.
      • IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
      • CITES: Appendix III.
    [UPSC 2017] In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?

    Options: (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger. *

    (b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and how it is impossible to prevent its extinction.

    (c) It is endemic to a particular region of India.

    (d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.

     

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