💥UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (April Batch) + Access XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Type: Species

  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Vultures and Pandemic Prevention

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

    Why in the News?

    Vultures, vital for carcass disposal and disease control, are key to pandemic preparedness.

    About Vulture Species in India:

    • Overview: Vultures are among 22 global species of large scavenger birds, found mostly in tropics and subtropics.
    • Ecological Role: Serve as nature’s garbage collectors, preventing disease spread and maintaining balance in ecosystems.
    • Indian Diversity: India hosts 9 species — Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous, and Eurasian Griffon.

    Vultures and Pandemic Prevention

    Distribution and Population Trends:

    • Historic Abundance: In the 1980s, India had over 40 million vultures, often in large groups near carcass dumps.
    • Population Crash: Since the 1990s, numbers have declined by over 95%, mainly due to diclofenac poisoning from veterinary use.
    • Flyway Connection: Vultures are part of the Central Asian Flyway (CAF), linking breeding sites in Central Asia with South Asia’s wintering zones.
    • Global Relevance: The CAF spans 30+ countries, making vulture conservation a regional and international public health concern.

    Vultures and Pandemic Preparedness:

    • Carcass Disposal: By consuming dead animals, vultures stop spread of pathogens such as anthrax, Clostridium botulinum, rabies.
    • Bio-Monitor Role: As first responders at carcasses, they act as natural surveillance systems, reducing risks of zoonotic spillover.
    • Conservation Gap: Protection of vultures is rarely included in One Health strategies, despite being low-cost compared to pandemic response.
    • Community Involvement: Local communities coexisting with vultures can aid in awareness, conservation, and disease monitoring, but remain underutilised.
    [UPSC 2012] Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to:

    (a) the destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species disease among them

    (b) a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle persistent and fatal*

    (c) scarcity of food available to them

    (d) a widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Why are Killer Whales offering fresh prey to humans?

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

    Why in the News?

    A new study in the Journal of Comparative Psychology documents rare instances of Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) sharing freshly killed prey with humans.

    Why are Killer Whales offering fresh prey to humans?

    About Killer Whales (Orcinus orca):

    • Overview: Largest member of the dolphin family (Delphinidae), often called “wolves of the sea”.
    • Apex predators: At the top of the marine food chain.
    • Physical traits:
      • Black dorsal side, white underside, distinctive eye patch, saddle patch behind dorsal fin.
      • Can grow up to 9 m, weigh over 5,000 kg, and swim up to 54 km/hr.
    • Social structure: Live in pods led by a matriarch; highly coordinated hunters using complex tactics.
    • Distribution: Found in all oceans worldwide, from polar to tropical seas, in both open and coastal waters.
    • IUCN – Data Deficient: But many regional populations face threats from climate change, prey decline, and pollution.

    Why do they offer their fresh prey to humans?

    • Study Findings (2004–2024):
      • Killer whales were observed offering whole prey to humans (fish, birds, mammals, etc.) in multiple oceans.
      • In most cases, they waited for a human response before reclaiming or abandoning prey.
    • Possible Reasons:
      • Exploration/Curiosity: Reflects their advanced cognition and social curiosity; a way to learn about humans.
      • Prosocial Behaviour: They are among the few species that share food within and outside their groups.
      • Play Theory Rejected: Behaviour not limited to juveniles; adults also involved, often with whole prey.
      • Scientific Thinking Analogy: Behaviour resembles “asking questions” and testing human reactions — a form of exploratory intelligence.
      • Machiavellian Behaviour: Could sometimes be manipulative, as killer whales are known to steal fish and disrupt vessels.
    [UPSC 2023] Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood?

    Options: (a) Fishing cat (b) Orangutan * (c) Otter (d) Sloth bear

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Ice Age-era Dragon Fly rediscovered

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

    Why in the News?

    Odonatologists have reconfirmed the presence of the elusive dragonfly species Crocothemis erythraea in the southern Western Ghats.

    About Crocothemis erythraea Dragonfly:

    • Species Type: A rare dragonfly species, usually found in Europe, Asia, and the Himalayas.
    • Recent Finding: Reconfirmed in the Western Ghats, specifically in Kerala and Tamil Nadu high ranges.
    • Comparison: Closely resembles the common lowland species Crocothemis servilia, leading to earlier misidentifications.
    • Habitat Preference: Inhabits cooler, high-altitude areas above 550 metres.
    • Historical Origin: Likely spread to South India during the Ice Age and survived in montane habitats such as Sholas and grasslands.

    Significance of the Discovery:

    • Biodiversity Insight: Demonstrates how ancient climate changes influenced current biodiversity patterns.
    • Ecological Importance: Reinforces the Western Ghats’ status as a biodiversity hotspot of global value.
    • Conservation Message: Highlights the need to protect sensitive high-altitude habitats like Sholas and montane grasslands.
    • Scientific Contribution: Adds to India’s growing record of documenting and conserving rare species.
    [UPSC 2024] The organisms Cicada, Froghopper and Pond skater are:

    Options: (a) Birds (b) Fish (c) Insects* (d) Reptiles

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Saltwater Crocodile Population Survey in Sundarbans

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

    Why in the News?

    A 2025 survey by the West Bengal Forest Department shows an increase in saltwater crocodile population in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (SBR).

    Saltwater Crocodile Population Survey in Sundarbans

    About Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus):

    • Largest living reptile and the largest of all crocodilians.
    • Males grow much larger than females; females usually 2.5–3 m in length.
    • Habitat: mangrove forests, swamps, rivers, and coastal waters; tolerant of varying salinity.
    • Distribution in India: Odisha, West Bengal (Sundarbans), Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
    • Behaviour: Apex predator, feeds on carcasses and diverse prey; communicates through barks, hisses, growls, chirps.
    • Conservation Status:
      • IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
      • CITES: Appendix I (except populations of Australia, Indonesia, PNG → Appendix II).
      • Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule I.
    • Conservation Efforts: Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project (1976, West Bengal) – breeding and conservation programme; 577 crocodiles released till 2022.

    Other Crocodile Species in India:

    • Gharial: Critically Endangered; survives in only 2% of former range; Found in small stretches of Chambal and a few other rivers.
    • Mugger/Marsh Crocodile: Vulnerable; found in freshwater lakes, rivers, marshes.

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    New Palm Species ‘Phoenix roxburghii’ discovered

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

    Why in the News?

    A palm specie ‘Phoenix roxburghii’ first described in the 17th-century botanical treatise Hortus Malabaricus has been recently confirmed.

    About Phoenix roxburghii:

    • Origin: Named after William Roxburgh, regarded as the father of Indian Botany.
    • Distribution: Found along India’s eastern coast, Bangladesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Pakistan.
    • Height: Grows up to 12–16 metres, taller than Phoenix sylvestris.
    • Distinct Features:
      • Solitary trunk
      • Larger leaves and leaflets
      • Musty-scented staminate flowers
      • Large, obovoid orange-yellow fruits

    Back2Basics: India’s Oil Palm Scenario

    • National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) (2021): Centrally sponsored, aims to boost domestic crude palm oil (CPO) production and reduce import dependence.
    • Targets:
      • Expand area to 10 lakh ha by 2025–26.
      • Raise production from 0.27 lakh tonnes (2019–20) to 11.2 lakh tonnes (2025–26), further to 28 lakh tonnes (2029–30).
    • Support Mechanisms: Viability Price (VP), Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), planting subsidy (₹29,000/ha), and special aid for NE & Andaman regions.
    • Cultivation States: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala (98% of output); others include Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat, and NE states.
    • Potential vs Current: 28 lakh ha potential; only 3.7 lakh ha cultivated.
    • Imports: India is the world’s largest palm oil importer (9.2 million tonnes in 2023–24). Palm oil forms 60% of edible oil imports, sourced mainly from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
    • Unique Advantage: Palm oil yields are 5× higher than traditional oilseeds.
    [UPSC 2021] With reference to ‘palm oil,’ consider the following statements:

    1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.

    2. Palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes.

    3. Palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Specie in news: Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata)

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

    Why in the News?

    The Social Forestry Department of Vadodara rescued an Albino Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata) from a freshwater lake in Chikhodra, Gujarat.

    Specie in news: Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata)

    About Indian Flapshell Turtle (Lissemys punctata):

    • Type: Small, freshwater softshell turtle native to South Asia
    • Unique Feature: Named for femoral flaps on the plastron that cover the limbs when retracted
    • Geographic Range: Found in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar
    • River Systems: Occurs in the Indus, Ganges, Irrawaddy, and Salween basins
    • Habitat: Prefers shallow, quiet freshwater bodies like rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes, tanks, and canals with muddy or sandy bottoms for burrowing
    • Conservation Status:
      • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
      • CITES Listing: Appendix II
      • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I (maximum protection)
    • Major Threats:
      • Poaching for meat, blood-based potions, aphrodisiacs, and traditional medicine
      • Illegal trade for fishing bait, livestock feed, leather, and exotic pets
      • Habitat loss due to pollution, encroachment, and waterbody destruction
      • Albino individuals especially targeted in the illegal pet market
    [UPSC 2013] Consider the following fauna of India:

    1. Gharial 2. Leatherback turtle 3. Swamp deer

    Which of the above is/are endangered?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3* (d) None

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Rhisotope Project

    Species | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Why in the News?

    In a move to combat rhino poaching, the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has launched the Rhisotope Project.

    What is Rhisotope Project? 

    • Launched By: University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
    • Initiation: Concept began in 2021; formally launched in July 2024.
    • Objective: Prevent rhino poaching by making horns traceable and unsuitable for illegal trade.
    • Pilot Site: Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa.
    • Pilot Implementation: 20 rhinos injected with radioisotopes (exact isotope remains undisclosed) for testing.

    How the Isotope Tagging Works?

    • Isotope Basics: Uses radioactive isotopes that emit detectable radiation as they decay.
    • Injection Method: A small hole is drilled into the horn; a low dose of isotope is inserted safely.
    • Detection Mechanism: Radiation Portal Monitors at ports can detect tagged horns—even inside 40-foot containers, as proven using 3D-printed horn simulations.

     

    Significance:

    • Safety Assurance: No damage to rhinos observed; cytological tests showed no cellular or physiological harm.
    • Impact on Illegal Trade: Horn becomes detectable, unusable, and toxic for illegal human consumption.
    [UPSC 2019] 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

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Population Census of Nilgiri Tahrs  

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

    Why in the News?

    A joint population census conducted by Kerala and Tamil Nadu has revealed the presence of 2,668 Nilgiri tahrs in the Western Ghats.

    Population Census of Nilgiri Tahrs  

    About Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius):

    • Endemism: Found only in the Nilgiri Hills and southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, India.
    • Ecological Role: Key grazer in the montane grassland ecosystem, influencing plant growth and grassland regeneration.
    • Habitat:
      • Open montane grasslands interspersed with shola forests (South Western Ghats montane rain forests eco-region).
      • Occurs at elevations between 1,200 to 2,600 metres (3,900 to 8,500 feet).
      • Prefers steep rocky slopes, cliff edges, and grassy plateaus — areas with clear visibility to detect predators.
    • Population: Estimated 3,122 individuals in the wild; Locally extinct in about 14% of its historical habitat.
      • In Kerala (1,365): Eravikulam National Park (ENP) – largest single population (~841 individuals); Anamalai Hills landscape.
      • In Tamil Nadu (1303): Mukurthi National Park; Grass Hills National Park; Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (lesser presence)
    • Conservation Status:
      • IUCN Red List: Endangered
      • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
    • Cultural Significance:
      • Official state animal of Tamil Nadu.
      • Mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature (~2,000 years ago).
      • Seen in Mesolithic rock art (10,000–4,000 BC), indicating its deep historical importance.
    [UPSC 2018] Consider the following fauna of India:

    1. Gharial 2. Leatherback turtle 3. Swamp deer

    Which of the above is/are endangered?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 * (d) None

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Asian Giant Tortoise reintroduced in Nagaland

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

    Why in the News?

    The Asian giant tortoise (Manouria emys), the largest tortoise in mainland Asia, has been reintroduced into the Zeliang Community Reserve in Nagaland’s Peren district.

    Asian Giant Tortoise reintroduced in Nagaland

    About Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys):

    • It is the largest tortoise in mainland Asia.
    • Two subspecies: Manouria emys emys and Manouria emys phayrei.
    • Uniquely, it lays eggs above ground in leaf-litter nests.
    • Behaviour: It is solitary and active mostly during dawn and dusk.
    • Found in evergreen and bamboo forests across India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
    • Habitat in India: Nengpui WLS, Nongkhyllem WLS, and North Cachar Hills.
    • Conservation status: IUCN – Critically Endangered; CITES – Appendix II; Wildlife Protection Act – Schedule IV.
    • Major threats: Illegal hunting for meat, habitat degradation, forest fires, and bamboo removal.
    [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.

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor

  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Bird Deaths in Thar Desert

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

    Why in the News?

    A new study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) reveals that wind farms in the Thar Desert, Rajasthan, have the highest recorded bird mortality rates globally.

    Bird Deaths in Thar Desert

    Bird Mortality at Wind Farms: Key Findings

    • Study Details: Conducted across 3,000 sq. km in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, covering 90 wind turbines and 272 bird species, including the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard.
    • Carcass Count: 124 bird carcasses found within 150m radius of turbines.
    • Annual Mortality Estimate: 4,464 birds per 1,000 sq. km, after corrections for detection gaps and scavenger interference.
    • Control Sites: 28 sites (500–2,000m from turbines) found zero carcasses — indicating turbines as the direct cause.
    • Reasons:
      • Policy Gap: Onshore wind projects in India do not require Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), which weakens ecological safeguards.

    India’s Wind Energy Growth:

    • Current Status: India added 3.5 GW of wind power in the first half of 2025 — an 82% YoY increase.
    • Total Installed Capacity: Now stands at 51.3 GW.
    • Untapped Potential: Estimated at 1163.9 GW at 150 meters above ground level (National Institute of Wind Energy).

    Comparison with Past Studies:

    • 2019 Studies: Recorded just 0.47 bird deaths per turbine/year in Kutch and Davangere.
    • Thar Desert Rate: 1.24 bird deaths per turbine/month — significantly higher.
    • Contributing Factors:
      • High bird density in Thar.
      • Location along Central Asian Flyway.
      • Collisions with turbine-linked power lines included in this study.

    Proposed Mitigation Measures:

    • Technological:
      • Paint one turbine blade for visibility.
      • Shut down turbines during peak migration or high-risk periods.
    • Planning-Based:
      • Careful Site Selection seen as most critical step.
      • Use of tools like AVISTEP (Avian Sensitivity Tool for Energy Planning), which maps avian sensitivity across India.
      • AVISTEP ranks zones as low to very high sensitivity — intended as a guide for site avoidance.
    [UPSC 2012] Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to:

    Options: (a) the destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species disease among them

    (b) a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle persistent and fatal *

    (c) scarcity of food available to them

    (d) a widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them

     

    Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor