Researchers to study rare Dolphin-Fisher kinship in Ashtamudi Lake

Prelims Only Species | 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

National Parks/WS Species | 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. *

(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

(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.

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

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Wildlife Conservation Efforts

IUCN Redlist Update of Indian Species

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

Why in the News?

In the latest State of India’s Birds (SoIB) 2025 report and IUCN assessment, four bird species dependent on these ecosystems have been uplisted, reflecting alarming habitat loss and population decline.

Bird Species Uplisted by IUCN:

Indian Courser (Cursorius coromandelicus):
- Endemic to the Indian Subcontinent.
- Uplisted from Least Concern → Near Threatened due to loss of grasslands and fallow land.
Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis): Uplisted to Near Threatened; impacted by habitat conversion and electrocution from power lines.
Rufous-tailed Lark (Ammomanes phoenicura): Uplisted to Near Threatened; declining due to intensive agriculture and land-use change.
Long-billed Grasshopper-Warbler (Locustella major): Uplisted to Endangered; severely impacted by loss of reedbeds and open scrub habitat.

About State of India’s Birds (SoIB) Assessment:

Overview: SoIB is conducted by the State of India’s Birds Partnership, a consortium of 13 government and non-government institutions, including BNHS, WII, ZSI, SACON, WTI, WWF-India, ATREE, NCF, FES, Wetlands International – South Asia, NCBS, and NBA.
Coverage: Of 1,360 bird species assessed globally, 12 species were from India.
Findings:
- 8 species downlisted (showing improved conservation trends).
- 4 species uplisted, highlighting heightened risk of extinction.
The report underscores the fragility of India’s open-country habitats, which support a unique but shrinking avifaunal diversity.

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Wildlife Conservation Efforts

Snow Leopards are the world’s least genetically diverse Big Cat

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

Why in the News?

A new Stanford University-led study has revealed that the Snow Leopard has the lowest genetic diversity among all big cats, even lower than the Cheetah.

Snow Leopards are the world’s least genetically diverse Big Cat

About Snow Leopard:

Overview: Also called the “ghost of the mountains”; Belongs to the genus Panthera but genetically distinct from tigers and leopards, with unique adaptations for alpine life.
Physical Features: Thick pale-gray fur with rosettes, powerful hind limbs, and a long, muscular tail that aids balance and warmth.
Habitat: Found at altitudes between 3,000–5,500 metres, thriving in rugged, snow-covered mountain ranges and alpine meadows.
Geographical Distribution:
- In India: Present in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Jammu & Kashmir.
- Globally: Distributed across Central and South Asian mountain systems, including the Himalayas, Pamirs, and Tien Shan.
Population Status:
- Global estimate: 4,500–7,500 individuals.
- India: Approximately 718 individuals, representing 10–15% of the global total.
Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I
National Conservation Measures:
- Project Snow Leopard (2009): Integrates community participation in Himalayan conservation.
- SECURE Himalaya Project (GEF–UNDP): Focuses on sustainable ecosystem management.
- Himalaya Sanrakshak (2020): Enlists local guardians for high-altitude habitats.
- National Protocol on Population Assessment (2019): Ensures standardized monitoring.

Ecological Significance:

Apex Predator Role: Serves as the top carnivore in the Himalayan and Central Asian alpine ecosystems, maintaining the balance between herbivores like blue sheep, ibex, and argali.
Indicator of Ecosystem Health: Its presence reflects ecosystem integrity, as it thrives only in undisturbed, well-connected, prey-rich habitats.
Climate Regulation: Snow leopard landscapes, glaciers, permafrost zones, and alpine grasslands, act as major carbon sinks and regulate water flows to nearly two billion people across Asia.
Biodiversity Link: By controlling herbivore populations, it prevents overgrazing, thus preserving alpine vegetation and soil stability.
Cultural and Economic Value: Revered in Himalayan folklore and central to eco-tourism-based livelihoods, symbolizing coexistence between humans and nature.
Transboundary Importance: Its habitat spans across 12 range countries, making it a flagship species for international cooperation under the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP).

[UPSC 2012] Consider the following:

1. Black-necked crane 2. Cheetah 3. Flying squirrel 4. Snow leopard

Which of the above are naturally found in India? Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only* (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

News specie “Chlorophytum vanapushpam” found

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

Why in the News?

Researchers have discovered a new species of perennial herb Chlorophytum vanapushpam from the Vagamon hills of Idukki district, Kerala.

Chlorophytum vanapushpam

About Chlorophytum vanapushpam:

Discovery & Location: Newly discovered perennial herb of the Asparagaceae family, identified in Vagamon and Neymakkad hills (Idukki, Kerala) within the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.
Name & Meaning: “Vanam” (forest) + “Pushpam” (flower) = forest flower.
Publication & Context: Reported in Phytotaxa, reaffirming the Western Ghats as the centre of origin for the Chlorophytum genus (18 Indian species).
Related Species: Closely allied to C. borivilianum (safed musli) but differs in form and lacks underground tubers.

Key Features:

Growth Form: Herb up to 90 cm tall, clinging to rocky hill slopes.
Habitat & Range: Found between 700 m – 2,124 m elevation in moist, rocky terrains.
Leaves & Flowers: Slender, grass-like leaves; white clustered blossoms.
Reproduction: Seeds 4–5 mm; flowering and fruiting Sep–Dec.

[UPSC 2016] Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 metres and has orange-coloured fruit pulp.

In which part of India has it been discovered?

Options: (a) Andaman Islands * (b) Anaimalai Forests (c) Maikala Hills (d) Tropical rain forests of northeast

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New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

New species of finless Snake Eel named after Kanniyakumari

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

Why in the News?

ICAR- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) researchers in Kochi have discovered a new finless snake eel species, Apterichtus kanniyakumari, named after Kanniyakumari district.

New species of finless Snake Eel named after Kanniyakumari

About Finless Snake Eel (Apterichtus kanniyakumari):

Location: Discovered off the Colachel coast, Kanniyakumari (Tamil Nadu), at ~100 m depth during deep-sea trawling.
Etymology: Named kanniyakumari in honour of the district’s cultural, linguistic, historical, and geographical heritage.
Taxonomy: Belongs to the genus Apterichtus, family Ophichthidae, commonly known as finless snake eels.
Morphological traits: Golden-yellow body, pale white ventral head with yellow jaw lines, three black blotches (behind eyes, at rictus, behind rictus origin), conical uniserial teeth, 3 preopercular & 9 supratemporal pores.
Molecular confirmation: Mitochondrial CO1 gene analysis shows it as a distinct clade, closely related to Apterichtus nanjilnaduensis.
Significance: Marks the 16th new species described from the Indian coast by NBFGR; adds to India’s marine biodiversity records.

[UPSC 2016] Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 meters and has orange coloured fruit pulp. In which part of India has it been discovered?

(a) Andaman Islands *

(b) Anaimalai Forests

(d) Tropical rain forests of northeast

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Type: Species

Why in the News?

Unique Dolphin-Fisher in Ashtamudi Lake:

About Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins (Sousa plumbea):

About Ashtamudi Lake:

Why in the News?

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

About Rhesus Macaque:

How is the Culling of Vermin allowed in India?

Why in the News?

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve

About Senna spectabilis:

How was the eradication achieved?

Why in the News?

About Indian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes):

Evolutionary and Taxonomic Significance:

Why in the News?

Elephants in India:

About Status of Elephants in India Report (2025):

Key Highlights:

Why in the News?

About the Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra):

Why in the News?

Bird Species Uplisted by IUCN:

About State of India’s Birds (SoIB) Assessment:

Why in the News?

About Snow Leopard:

Ecological Significance:

Why in the News?

About Chlorophytum vanapushpam:

Key Features:

Why in the News?

About Finless Snake Eel (Apterichtus kanniyakumari):