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Contents PROTECTED AREA NETWORK ...... 3 National Park ...... 4 Difference between Wild life Sanctuary and National Park ...... 9 Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) ...... 9 Conservation Reserve and Community Reserves ...... 13 IUCN CATEGORIZATION ...... 14 Coastal Protected Areas or Marine Protected Areas (MPA) ...... 15 Sacred groves of India ...... 16 Biosphere Reserve (BR) ...... 18 The MAB (Man and Biosphere Reserve) ...... 24 World Network of Biosphere Reserves ...... 24 Biodiversity Hotspots ...... 26 Indian Biodiversity Hotspots ...... 28 Natural World Heritage Sites in India ...... 30 Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS) ...... 30 The High Biodiversity Wilderness Areas (HBWA) ...... 32 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) ...... 32 CONSERVATION EFFORTS ...... 33 PROJECT ELEPHANT ...... 33 Project Tiger ...... 36 M-STrIPES ...... 42 Conservation Assured (CA|TS) ...... 42 Tiger Reserves in India ...... 43 Indian Crocodile Conservation Project ...... 46 Vulture ...... 47 Project Snow Leopard ...... 54 One Horn Rhino ...... 56 Sea Turtle Project ...... 58 www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 1
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Project Hangul ...... 59 Captive Breeding ...... 60 Ganges Dolphin ...... 60 DO YOU KNOW ...... 61 PREVIOUS YEAR PRELIMS QUESTIONS ...... 68
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PROTECTED AREA NETWORK
A protected area is a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values. (IUCN Definition 2008) Protected areas – national parks, wilderness areas, community conserved areas, nature reserves and so on – are a mainstay of biodiversity conservation, while also contributing to people’s livelihoods, particularly at the local level. Their role in helping mitigate and adapt to climate change is also increasingly recognized; it has been estimated that the global network of protected areas stores at least 15% of terrestrial carbon. The adoption of a National Policy for Wildlife conservation in 1970 and the enactment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act in 1972 lead to a significant growth in the protected areas network. It was further strengthened by a number of national conservation projects, notably Project Tiger, Project elephant, crocodile Breeding and Management Project, etc. National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by the Prime Minister of India provides for policy framework for wildlife conservation in the country. The Indian Constitution entails the subject of forests and wildlife in the Concurrent list. India has the following kinds of protected areas, in the sense of the word designated by IUCN: National Parks Wildlife sanctuaries Biosphere Reserves Reserved and Protected Forests Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves Private Protected Areas Conservation Areas Marine Protected Areas
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Protected Areas of India
No. Total Area (km2) Coverage % of Country National Parks (NPs) 104 40501.03 1.23 Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLSs) 544 118931.80 3.62 Conservation Reserves (CRs) 77 2594.03 0.08 Community Reserves 46 72.61 0.002 Protected Areas (PAs) 771 162099.47 4.93
NATIONAL PARK An area, whether within a sanctuary or not, can be notified by the state government to be constituted as a National Park, by reason of its ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, or zoological association or importance, needed to for the purpose of protecting & propagating or developing wildlife therein or its environment. No human activity is permitted inside the national park except for the ones permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the state under the conditions given in CHAPTER IV, WPA 1972. There are 104 existing national parks in India covering an area of 40,501 km2, which is 1.23% of the geographical area of the country (National Wildlife Database, Aug. 2018). State government can declare a national park under Wild Life (Protection) Act (WPA) of 1972. Within the law, the difference in conservation value of a National Park from that of a sanctuary is not specified in the WPA 1972
List of National Parks
Year of Area S. No. Name of State/ Protected Area District(s) Establishment (km2)
Andaman & Nicobar Islands 1 Campbell Bay NP 1992 426.23 Nicobar 2 Galathea Bay NP 1992 110.00 Nicobar 3 Mahatama Gandhi Marine (Wandoor) NP 1983 281.50 Andaman 4 Middle Button Island NP 1987 0.44 Andaman 5 Mount Harriett NP 1987 46.62 Andaman 6 North Button Island NP 1987 0.44 Andaman 7 Rani Jhansi Marine NP 1996 256.14 Andaman 8 Saddle Peak NP 1987 32.54 Andaman
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9 South Button Island NP 1987 0.03 Andaman
Andhra Pradesh 1 Papikonda NP 2008 1012.86 East & West Godavari 2 Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) NP 2005 2.40 Kadapa 3 Sri Venkateswara NP 1989 353.62 Chittoor & Cuddapah
Arunachal Pradesh 1 Mouling NP 1986 483.00 Upper Siang 2 Namdapha NP 1983 1807.82 Changlang
Assam 1 Dibru-Saikhowa NP 1999 340.00 Tinsukia & Dibrugarh 2 Kaziranga NP 1974 858.98 Golaghat, Nagaon & Sonitpur 3 Manas NP 1990 500.00 Barpeta & Bongaigaon 4 Nameri NP 1998 200.00 Sonitpur 5 Rajiv Gandhi Orang NP 1999 78.81 Darrang & Sonitpur
Bihar 1 Valmiki NP 1989 335.65 West Champaran
Chhattisgarh 1 Guru Ghasidas (Sanjay) NP 1981 1440.71 Surguja & Koria 2 Indravati (Kutru) NP 1982 1258.37 Dantewada 3 Kanger Valley NP 1982 200.00 Bastar
Goa 1 Mollem NP 1992 107.00 North Goa
Gujarat 1 Vansda NP 1979 23.99 Navasari 2 Blackbuck (Velavadar) NP 1976 34.53 Bhavnagar 3 Gir NP 1975 258.71 Junagadh 4 Marine (Gulf of Kachchh) NP 1982 162.89 Jamnagar . Haryana 1 Kalesar NP 2003 46.82 Yamuna Nagar 2 Sultanpur NP 1989 1.43 Gurgaon
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Himachal Pradesh 1 Great Himalayan NP 1984 754.40 Kullu 2 Inderkilla NP 2010 104.00 Kullu 3 Khirganga NP 2010 710.00 Kullu 4 Pin Valley NP 1987 675.00 Lahul & Spiti 5 Simbalbara NP 2010 27.88 Sirmaur
Jammu & Kashmir 1 City Forest (Salim Ali) NP 1992 9.00 Srinagar 2 Dachigam NP 1981 141.00 Srinagar & Pulwama 3 Hemis NP 1981 3350.00 Leh 4 Kishtwar NP 1981 425.00 Kishtwar & Doda
Jharkhand 1 Betla NP 1986 226.33 Latehar
Karnataka 1 Anshi NP 1987 417.34 Uttara Kannada 2 Bandipur NP 1974 874.20 Mysore & Chamarajanagar 3 Bannerghatta NP 1974 260.51 Bangalore Dakshin Kannada, Udipi & 4 Kudremukh NP 1987 600.32 Chikmagalur 5 Nagarahole (Rajiv Gandhi) NP 1988 643.39 Kodagu & Mysore
Kerala 1 Anamudi Shola NP 2003 7.50 Idukki 2 Eravikulam NP 1978 97.00 Idukki 3 Mathikettan Shola NP 2003 12.82 Idukki 4 Pambadum Shola NP 2003 1.32 Idukki 5 Periyar NP 1982 350.00 Idukki & Quilon 6 Silent Valley NP 1984 89.52 Palakkad
Madhya Pradesh 1 Bandhavgarh NP 1968 448.85 Umaria & Katni 2 Fossil NP 1983 0.27 Mandla 6 Indira Priyadarshini Pench NP 1975 292.85 Seoni & Chhindwara 3 Kanha NP 1955 940.00 Mandla, Balaghat & Dindori 4 Madhav NP 1959 375.22 Shivpuri
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5 Panna NP 1981 542.67 Panna & Chhatarpur 7 Sanjay NP 1981 466.88 Sidhi 8 Satpura NP 1981 585.17 Hoshangabad 9 Van Vihar NP 1979 4.45 Bhopal 10 Dinosaur NP 2010 0.8974 Dhar district, MP Maharashtra Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, 1 Chandoli NP 2004 317.67 Ratnagiri 2 Gugamal NP 1975 361.28 Amravati 3 Nawegaon NP 1975 133.88 Bhandara (Gondia) 4 Pench (Jawaharlal Nehru) NP 1975 257.26 Nagpur 5 Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) NP 1983 86.96 Thane & Mumbai 6 Tadoba NP 1955 116.55 Chandrapur
Manipur 1 Keibul-Lamjao NP 1977 40.00 Bishnupur
Meghalaya 1 Balphakram NP 1985 220.00 South Garo Hills 2 Nokrek Ridge NP 1986 47.48 East Garo Hills
Mizoram 1 Murlen NP 1991 100.00 Champhai 2 Phawngpui Blue Mountain NP 1992 50.00 Lawngtlai
Nagaland 1 Intanki NP 1993 202.02 Dimapur
Odisha 1 Bhitarkanika NP 1988 145.00 Kendrapara 2 Simlipal NP 1980 845.70 Mayurbhanj
Rajasthan 1 Mukundra Hills NP 2006 200.54 Kota & Chittourgarh 2 Desert NP 1992 3162.00 Barmer & Jaisalmer 3 Keoladeo Ghana NP 1981 28.73 Bharatpur 4 Ranthambhore NP 1980 282.00 Sawai Madhopur 5 Sariska NP 1992 273.80 Alwar
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Sikkim 1 Khangchendzonga NP 1977 1784.00 North Sikkim
Tamil Nadu 1 Guindy NP 1976 2.82 Chennai 2 Gulf of Mannar Marine NP 1980 6.23 Ramanathpuram & Tuticorin 3 Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) NP 1989 117.10 Coimbatore 4 Mudumalai NP 1990 103.23 Nilgiris 5 Mukurthi NP 1990 78.46 Nilgiris
Telangana 1 Kasu Brahmananda Reddy NP 1994 1.43 Hyderabad 2 Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali NP 1994 14.59 Ranga Reddy 3 Mrugavani NP 1994 3.60 Ranga Reddy
Tripura 1 Clouded Leopard NP 2007 5.08 West Tripura 2 Bison (Rajbari) NP 2007 31.63 South Tripura
Uttar Pradesh 1 Dudhwa NP 1977 490.00 Lakhimpur-Kheri
Uttarakhand 1 Corbett NP 1936 520.82 Nainital & Pauri Garhwal 2 Gangotri NP 1989 2390.02 Uttarkashi 3 Govind NP 1990 472.08 Uttarkashi 4 Nanda Devi NP 1982 624.60 Chamoli Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal & 5 Rajaji NP 1983 820.00 Haridwar 6 Valley of Flowers NP 1982 87.50 Chamoli
West Bengal 1 Buxa NP 1992 117.10 Jalpaiguri 2 Gorumara NP 1992 79.45 Jalpaiguri 3 Jaldapara NP 2014 216.51 Jalpaiguri 4 Neora Valley NP 1986 159.89 Darjeeling 5 Singalila NP 1986 78.60 Darjeeling 6 Sunderban NP 1984 1330.10 North & South 24-Paraganas
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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WILD LIFE SANCTUARY AND NATIONAL PARK
The main difference between a wildlife sanctuary and a national park is that human activities are not at all allowed in a national park. On the other hand, rights of some limited human activities are provided within the boundary of a sanctuary. National parks have a proper boundary, whereas the wildlife sanctuaries usually do not have properly marked boundaries. In context to ownership rights, one may retain the private ownership rights if it is not affecting the cause of wildlife conservation. On the other hand, any type of private ownership rights does not exist in a national park. A Sanctuary can be upgraded to a National Park but not the vice versa
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (WLS) Any area other than area comprised with any reserve forest or the territorial waters can be notified by the State Government to constitute as a sanctuary if such area is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural. Or zoological significance, for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wildlife or its environment. Some restricted human activities are allowed inside the Sanctuary area details of which are given in CHAPTER IV, WPA 1972. There are more than 500 existing wildlife sanctuaries in India covering an area of 118,918 km2, which is 3.62 % of the geographical area of the country (National Wildlife Database, June, 2017). A wildlife refuge, also called a wildlife sanctuary, is a naturally occurring sanctuary, such as an island, that provides protection for species from hunting, predation or competition. It is a protected area, a geographic territory within which wildlife is protected or an area which has ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance Purpose of WLS - protect, propagate or develop wildlife or its environment. Comes under IUCN category 4. The Wild life (Protection) Act of 1972 provided for the declaration of certain areas by the State Government as wildlife sanctuaries if the area was thought to be of adequate ecological, geomorphological and natural significance. The Central Government may also declare a sanctuary under certain conditions. Certain rights of people living inside the Sanctuary could be permitted. Grazing, firewood collection by tribal is allowed but strictly regulated. www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 9
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Settlements not allowed (few exceptions - tribal settlements do exist but efforts are made to relocate them). A Sanctuary can be promoted to a National Park.
General Provision for Sanctuary and National Park
Declaration of the Protected Area by the State Government
Initial Notification The State Government may, by notification, declare its intention to constitute any area within or outside any reserve forest as a sanctuary / National Park if it considers that such area is adequate for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wild life or its environment. Final notification In this notification the state government specifies the limits of the area which shall be comprised within the sanctuary and declare that the said area shall be a sanctuary/ National park from such date as may be specified in the notification.
Declaration of the Protected Area by the Central Government – The central government may declare an area as sanctuary/national park by notification if it is satisfied that an area is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance, for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wild life or its environment.
Boundary Notification shall specify situation and limits of such area. In cases where territorial water is included, the limits shall be determined in consultation with the Chief Naval Hydrographer of the Central Government, after taking adequate measures to protect the occupational interests of the local fishermen. No alteration of boundaries of a sanctuary/ National Park shall be made except on recommendation of the National Board for Wild Life.
Settlement of rights Responsibility of state government to make alternative arrangements for fuel, fodder and other forest produce to the persons affected, in terms of their rights as per the Government records.
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The State Government appoints an officer as a 'Collector' under the Act to inquire into and determine the existence, nature and extent of rights of any person in or over the land comprised within the sanctuary/ National Park which is to be notified. After the issue of a notification no right shall be acquired in, on or over the land comprised within the limit of the area specified except by succession, testamentary or intestate.
Claim of rights Collector shall pass an order admitting or rejecting the same in whole or in part. If such claim is admitted in whole or in part, the Collector may either a) Exclude such land from the limits of the proposed sanctuary OR b) proceed to acquire such land or rights c) allow, in consultation with the Chief Wild Life Warden, the continuation of any right of any person in or over any land within the limits of the sanctuary
Entry into the Protected Area No person other than - a) A public servant on duty b) A person who has been permitted by the Chief Wild Life Warden or the authorized officer to reside within the limits of the sanctuary/National Park c) A person who has any right over immovable property within the limits of the sanctuary/ National Park d) A person passing through the sanctuary/ National Park along a public highway e) The dependents of the person referred to in clause (a), (b) or (c) above, Shall enter or reside in the sanctuary/National Park, except under and in accordance with the conditions of a permit granted.
Grant of permit for entry Permission by - Chief Wild Life Warden Purposes for which permission can be granted – o Investigation or study of wildlife and purposes ancillary or incidental thereto o Photography o Scientific research o Tourism o Transaction of lawful business with any person residing in the sanctuary
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Chief Wild Life Warden - authority who shall control, manage and maintain all Protected Areas.
India and Nepal contiguous National Parks Dudwa National Park (India) is connected to Shuklaphant National Park in Nepal. Parsa National park and Chitwan National Park in Nepal are connected with Balmiki National Park Katarniaghat National Park in India is adjoined to Bardiya National Park
Note- UPSC has knack of asking applied questions. Why don’t we apply the static concepts likewise to be prepared for something unpredictable?
Everyone knows that there are 18 Biosphere Reserves in India. What if you are given to identify their locations? Do you know there are no Biosphere Reserves in Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra, UP, Bihar etc.? Which other states has no Biosphere Reserve? Elimination would become easier if you get this exclusivity very clear in your mind Look at the given this map and try to visualize it.
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CONSERVATION RESERVE AND COMMUNITY RESERVES
Conservation reserves and community reserves in India are terms denoting protected areas of India which typically act as buffer zones to or connectors and migration corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests of India. Such areas are designated as conservation areas if they are uninhabited and completely owned by the Government of India but used for subsistence by communities and community areas if parts of the lands are privately owned. These protected area categories were first introduced in the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002, the amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. These categories were added because of reduced protection in and around existing or proposed protected areas due to private ownership of land, and land use. Conservation Reserves Can be declared by state government in any area which is owned by Central government particularly NP and WLS adjacent area or areas which are linked with protected area. These areas are declared after consulting with local communities. Purpose - protecting landscape, seascape, flora and fauna and their habitat Rights of people living inside area are not affected. 1st conservation reserve established in the country - Tiruppadaimarathur conservation reserve in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. (to protect bird nests)
Community Reserves Can be declared by state government in any private or community land, not comprised. Within a NP, WLS or conservation reserve, where an individual or a community has volunteered to conserve wildlife and its habitat. Purpose - protecting fauna, flora and traditional or cultural conservation values and practices. Rights of people living inside area are not affected. Managed through – a community reserve management committee. No change in land use pattern shall be made within the community reserve, except in accordance with a resolution passed by the management committee and approval of the same by the state government.
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IUCN CATEGORIZATION
National Parks (IUCN Category II)
A national park (IUCN Category II) is similar to a wilderness area in its size and its main objective of protecting functioning ecosystems. However, national parks tend to be more lenient with human visitation and its supporting infrastructure. National parks are managed in a way that may contribute to local economies through promoting educational and recreational tourism on a scale that will not reduce the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
Wildlife Sanctuaries (IUCN Category IV)
A habitat or species management area (IUCN Category IV) is similar to a natural monument or feature but focuses on more specific areas of conservation (though size is not necessarily a distinguishing feature), like an identifiable species or habitat that requires continuous protection rather than that of a natural feature.
Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO designation roughly corresponding to IUCN Category V)
A protected landscape or protected seascape (IUCN Category V) covers an entire body of land or ocean with an explicit natural conservation plan, but usually also accommodates a range of for-profit activities.
Conservation Reserve and Community Reserve (IUCN Category V and VI respectively)
Though human involvement is a large factor in the management of these protected areas, developments are not intended to allow for widescale industrial production. The IUCN recommends that a proportion of the land mass remains in its natural condition—a decision to be made on a national level, usually with specificity to each protected area. Governance has to be developed to adapt the diverse—and possibly growing—range of interests that arise from the production of sustainable natural resources.
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COASTAL PROTECTED AREAS OR MARINE PROTECTED AREAS (MPA) A marine protected area (MPA) is essentially a space in the ocean where human activities are more strictly regulated than the surrounding waters - similar to parks we have on land. These places are given special protections for natural or historic marine resources by local, state, territorial, native, regional, or national authorities. IUCN MPA definition - "any area intertidal or sub tidal terrain together with its overlaying water and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by law or other effective means to protect part or all of the enclosed environment" Marine productivity in India is concentrated in small areas of coral reefs, lagoons, mangroves, estuaries and seagrass beds. They provide rich feeding and breeding for fish and other marine life. MPA Classification Category-I - covers NP & WLS and having entire areas in intertidal/ sub-tidal or mangroves, coral reefs, creeks, seagrass beds, algal beds, estuaries, lagoons. Category-II - includes Islands Category-III A - includes sandy beaches beyond intertidal line Category –IIIB - includes ever green or semi ever green forests of Islands. o List of Marine Protected Areas in peninsular India- 25 in numbers o List of Marine Protected Areas in Islands of India- 106 in numbers. o Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf of Kutch form one unit (one MPA). o Bhitarkanika National Park and Bhitarkanika Sanctuary are an integral part of one MPA. Antarctica’s Ross Sea was declared as world’s largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) to protect the Earth’s most pristine marine ecosystem. It was declared after landmark international agreement among 24 countries and European Union in Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) meeting in Hobart, Australia. The Ross Sea is one of the last intact marine ecosystems in the world. It covers 1.6 million square kilometers. MPA status to Ross Sea will bring blanket ban on commercial fishing across about three quarters of its area for 35 years. Ross Sea in the Southern Ocean is home to 38% of the world’s Adelie penguins, 30% of world’s Antarctic petrels and around 6% of world’s population of Antarctic minke whales. It is also home to huge numbers of krill, a staple food for species including whales and seals. www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 15
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SACRED GROVES OF INDIA
They are patches of forests or natural vegetation - from a few trees to forests of several acres - that are usually dedicated to local folk deities. Example – Amrapali donated mango grove to Buddha. Why these places are protected? Protected by - local communities. Why - Because of their religious beliefs and traditional rituals that run through several generations. Degree of sanctity – varies from one grove to another. Example – in some forests even the dry foliage and fallen fruits are not touched. People believe any disturbance mean offend to local deity. Examples – o Garo and Khasi tribes of NE India completely prophet any disturbance in the sacred grove. o Gonds of central India prohibit the cutting of a tree but allow fallen parts to be used.
Classification of sacred groves Traditional Sacred Groves - It is the place where the village deity resides, who is represented by an elementary symbol. Temple Groves – Here a grove is created around a temple and conserved. Groves around the burial or cremation grounds.
Ecological significance Conservation of biodiversity – they are important repositories of floral and faunal diversity. Recharge of aquifers – they are often associated with ponds, streams or springs which meet the requirements of local people. Soil conservation – vegetation cover of sacred groves prevents soil conservation.
Distribution of Sacred groves in India Found all over India Abundantly along – Western Ghats in Kerala and Karnataka.
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Threats to Sacred groves Disappearance of traditional belief system (now considered mere superstition) which were fundamentals to the concept of sacred groves. Many groves have been destroyed due to urbanization + developmental interventions + encroachment. “Sanskritisation (social change)” or the transformation of the primitive forms of nature worship into formal temple worship Invasion by exotic weeds such as Eupatoritun odoratum, Lantana camara and Prosopis juliflora is a serious threat to some groves. Pressures due to increasing livestock and fuelwood collection.
List of Sacred Groves
S.no. State Local term for Sacred Groves No. of sacred groves 1 Andhra Pradesh Pavithravana 580 2 Arunachal Pradesh Gumpa Forests (attached to Buddhist 101 monasteries) 3 Goa Deorai, Pann 55 4 Jharkhand Sarana 29 5 Karnataka Devara Kadu 1531 6 Kerala Kavu, Sara Kavu 299 7 Maharashtra Devrai, Devrahati, Devgudi 2820 8 Manipur Gamkhap, Mauhak (sacred bamboo reserves) 166 9 Meghalaya Ki law Lyngdoh, Ki Law Kyntang, Ki Law Niam 101 10 Orissa Jahera, Thakuramma 169 11 Puducherry Kovil Kadu 108 12 Rajasthan Orans, Kenkris, Jogmaya 560 13 Tamil Nadu Swami shola, Koilkadu 752 14 UttaraKhand Deo Bhumi, Bugyal (sacred alpine meadows) 22 15 West Bengal Garamthan, Harithan, Jahera, Sabitrithan, 39 Santalburithan Similarly, several water bodies are declared sacred by people. This indirectly leads to protection of aquatic flora and fauna. (e.g. Khecheoprai lake in Sikkim)
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BIOSPHERE RESERVE (BR)
The energy required for the life within the biosphere comes from the sun. The nutrients necessary for living organisms come from air, water and soil. The same chemicals are recycled over and over again for life to continue. Living organisms are not uniformly distributed throughout the biosphere. Only a few organisms live in the Polar Regions, while the tropical rain forests have an exceedingly rich diversity of plants and animals. Definition • A Biosphere Reserve is a unique and representative ecosystem of terrestrial and coastal areas which are internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme. • They are special environments for both people and the nature and are living examples of how human beings and nature can co-exist while respecting each other’s needs. • This program wants to promote sustainable development based on local community efforts and sound science.
Characteristics of Biosphere reserve Each Biosphere Reserves are protected area of land and/or coastal environments where in people are an integral component of the system. The network of BRs includes significant examples of biomes throughout the world.
Each BR includes one or more of the following categories BRs are representative examples of nature biomes. They conserve unique communities of biodiversity. BRs have examples of harmonious landscapes resulting from traditional patterns of land use. BRs have examples of modified or degraded ecosystems capable of being restored to more natural conditions.
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National Biosphere Reserve Programme • It was initiated in 1986. To serve as wider base for conservation of entire range of living resources and their ecological foundations. • To bring out representative ecosystems. • To ensure participation of local inhabitants → effective management and improving livelihood. • Integrate scientific research with conservation, education and training (as overall management of BR) Biosphere Reserves of India
Year Name Location State Type Key Fauna
1986 Nilgiri Part of Waynad, Nagarhole, Tamil Nadu, Western Nilgiri tahr, lion- Biosphere Bandipur and Mudumalai, Kerala and Ghats tailed macaque Reserve Nilambur, Silent Valley Karnataka
1988 Nanda Devi Parts of Chamoli District, Uttarakhan Western Snow Leopard, National Pithoragarh District & Bageshwar d Himalayas Himalayan Black Park & District Bear Biosphere Reserve
1989 Gulf of Indian part of Gulf of Mannar Tamil Nadu Coasts Dugong or sea Mannar extending from Rameswaram cow island in the North to www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 19
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Kanyakumari in the South of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka
1988 Nokrek Part of Garo Hills Meghalaya East Red panda Himalayas
1989 Sundarbans Part of delta West Gangetic Royal Bengal of Ganges and Brahmaputra river Bengal Delta tiger system
1989 Manas Part of Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Assam East Golden Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamrup and Himalayas langur, red panda Darrang Districts
1994 Simlipal Part of Mayurbhanj district Odisha Deccan Gaur, royal Peninsula Bengal tiger, elephant
1998 Dihang- Part of Siang and Dibang Valley Arunachal Eastern Mishmi Dibang Pradesh Himalaya Takin, Musk Deer
1999 Pachmarhi Parts of Betul District, Madhya Semi-Arid Giant Biosphere Hoshangabad District and Pradesh squirrel, flying Reserve Chhindwara District squirrel
2005 Achanakmar- Part Madhya Maikala Four-horned Amarkantak of Annupur, Dindori and Bilaspur Pradesh, Hills antelope, Indian Biosphere districts wild dog, Sarus Reserve Chhattisgar crane, White- h rumped vulture, Philautus sanctisilvaticus (Sacred grove bush frog)
2008 Great Rann Part Gujarat Desert Indian wild ass of Kutch of Kutch, Rajkot, Surendranagar a nd Patan Districts www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 20
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2009 Cold Desert Pin Valley National Park and Himachal Western Hi Snow leopard surroundings;Chandratal and Pradesh malayas Sarchu & Kibber Wildlife Sancturary
2000 Khangchendz Parts of Kangchenjunga Sikkim East Snow onga Himalayas leopard, red panda
2001 Agasthyamal Neyyar, Peppara and Shenduruny Kerala, Ta Western Nilgiri ai Biosphere Wildlife Sanctuary and their mil Nadu Ghats tahr, elephants Reserve adjoining areas
1989 Great Nicobar Southern most islands Andaman Islands Saltwater Biosphere of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Nicobar crocodile Reserve Islands
1997 Dibru- Part of Dibrugarh and Tinsukia Assam East Golden langur Saikhowa districts Himalayas
2010 Seshachalam Seshachalam Hill Ranges Andhra Eastern Slender Loris Hills covering parts of Chittoor and Pradesh Ghats Kadapa districts
2011 Panna Part of Panna Madhya Catchment Tiger, chital, District and Chhatarpur District Pradesh Area of chinkara, the Ken sambhar and River sloth bear
Criteria for selection of BRs Primary criteria • A site that must contain an effectively protected and minimally disturbed core area. • It should include – o Additional land and water suitable for research. o Demonstration of sustainable methods of research and management. • Core area should be typical of a biogeographical unit and large enough to sustain viable populations representing all tropic levels in the ecosystem. www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 21
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Secondary criteria • Areas having rare and endangered species. • Areas having diversity of soil and micro-climatic conditions and indigenous varieties of biota. • Areas potential for preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes of living for harmonious use of environment.
Structure and Design of Biosphere Reserve In order to undertake complementary activities of biodiversity conservations and development of sustainable management aspects, Biosphere Reserves are demarcated into three inter- related zones.
The Core Zone • It should be kept absolutely undisturbed. • It must contain suitable habitat for plant and animal species • It conserves the wild relatives of economic species and also represent important genetic reservoirs. • It also contains places of exceptional scientific interest. • It secures legal protection and management and research activities that do not affect natural processes and wildlife are allowed. • Strict nature reserves and wilderness portions of the area are designated as core areas of BR. www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 22
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• It is to be kept-free from all human pressures external to the system.
The Buffer zones • Surrounds the core zone. • Its uses and activities (restoration, demonstration sites for enhancing value addition for the resources, limited recreation, tourism, fishing and grazing) are managed in ways that protect the core zone.
Q.) Why these activities area allowed when they can have detrimental impact on biosphere reserve? To reduce its effect on core zone. • Research and educational activities are to be encouraged. • Human activities, if natural then only allowed. The Transition Zone • Outermost part of a Biosphere Reserve. • This is usually not delimited one. • It is a zone of cooperation where conservation, knowledge and management skills are applied and uses are managed in harmony with the purpose of the Biosphere Reserve. • Uses include - settlements, crop lands, managed forests and area for intensive recreation, and other economic uses characteristic of the region. How Biosphere Reserves are different from Protected Areas? BR intention is not to replace existing protected areas but it widens the scope of conventional approach of protection and further strengthens the Protected Area Network. Existing legally protected areas (NP, WLS, Tiger Reserve and reserve protected forests) may become part of the BR without any change in their legal status. Inclusion of such areas in BR will enhance their national value but it doesn’t mean that Biosphere Reserves are to be established only around the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. However, the Biosphere Reserves differ from protected areas due to their emphasis on Conservation of overall biodiversity rather than some specific flagship species Different components of BRs like landscapes, habitats, and species and land races. Developmental activities and resolution of conflicts between development and conservation. Local people's participation and their training. Sustainable environment friendly development. Research and Monitoring. www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 23
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THE MAB (MAN AND BIOSPHERE RESERVE) • An Intergovernmental Scientific Programme. • To set a scientific basis for the improvement of the relationships between people and their environment globally. • Launched in the early 1970s it wanted to promote innovative approaches to economic development that is socially and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable. • Agenda of the MAB Prorgamme is defined by International Coordinating Council (main governing body). • For implementation of its interdisciplinary work on ground, MAB relies on the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, and on thematic networks and partnerships for knowledge-sharing, research and monitoring, education and training, and participatory decision making. • It predicts the consequences of today’s actions on tomorrow's world and thereby increases people's ability to efficiently manage natural resources for the well-being of both human populations and the environment.
WORLD NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES In order to facilitate cooperation, BRs are admitted into international network by International Coordinating Council of MAB program of UNESCO on the request of participating country subject to fulfilling of criteria. Participation is voluntary and BRs remain under sole sovereignty of state. Delisting – on grounds of violation of obligation for conservation and sustainable development of BRs. Eleven of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list.
Name States Year
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka 2000
Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Tamil Nadu 2001
Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve West Bengal 2001 www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 24
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Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve Uttarakhand 2004
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve Meghalaya 2009
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve Madhya Pradesh 2009
Simlipal Biosphere Reserve Odisha 2009
Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve Great Nicobar 2013
Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh 2012
Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve Kerala and Tamil Nadu 2016
Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve Sikkim 2018
Khangchendzonga National Park- Mixed World Heritage Site
Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP), Sikkim has been inscribed as India’s first “Mixed World Heritage Site” on UNESCO World Heritage List, by fulfilling the nomination criteria under both natural and cultural heritage. The KNP exhibits one of the widest altitudinal ranges of any protected area worldwide. The Park has an extraordinary vertical sweep of over 7 kilometres (1,220m to 8,586m) within an area of only 178,400 ha and comprises a unique diversity of lowlands, steep- sided valleys and spectacular snow-clad mountains including the world’s third highest peak, Mt. Khangchendzonga. Numerous lakes and glaciers, including the 26 km long Zemu Glacier, dot the barren high altitudes. The KNP lies within the Himalaya global biodiversity hotspot and displays an unsurpassed range of sub-tropical to alpine ecosystems. The Himalayas are narrowest here, resulting in extremely steep terrain, which magnifies the distinction between the various eco-zones. The KNP is located within a mountain range of global biodiversity conservation significance and covers 25% of the State of Sikkim, acknowledged as one of India’s most significant biodiversity concentrations. The KNP is home to a significant number of endemic, rare and threatened plant and animal species and has the highest number of plant and mammal species recorded in www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 25
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the Central/High Asian Mountains, except compared to the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, in China; and also has a high number of bird species. The cultural significance of KNP is portrayed by three main different facets: firstly, the notion of beyul or hidden sacred land, which extends to all of Sikkim, but has its heart in the territory of Khangchendzonga National Park, is important in Tibetan Buddhism, not only intrinsic to Sikkim, but in the neighbouring countries and beyond – that is to say, KNP is home to a sacred site of one of the world's leading religious traditions; secondly, the multi-layered sacred landscape of Khangchendzonga and the cultural and religious relevance of the hidden land (beyul in Tibetan Buddhism and Mayel Lyang, in Lepcha tradition) is specific to Sikkim and is a unique example of co-existence and exchange between different religious traditions and people; and thirdly, the indigenous religious and cultural practices of the Lepcha with regard to the ecology and the specific properties of local plants, which stand as an outstanding example of traditional knowledge and environmental preservation.
BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS
Biodiversity hot spot concept by - Norman Myers in 1988. Hot spots are the areas with high density of biodiversity or mega diversity which are most threatened at present. There are 35 hot spots in world, out of which two are located in India namely North-East Himalayas and Western Ghats. Criteria Species endemism - it must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (> 0.5% of the world's total) as endemics Degree of threat - it has to have lost at least 70% of its original habitat.
Each biodiversity hot spot represents a remarkable universe of extraordinary floral and faunal endemicity.
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Hottest Hot Spots
Hot spots which are much richer than others in terms of their number of endemics. 5 key factors determine the hotness of hotspot. Endemic plants Endemic vertebrates Endemic plants/area ratio (species per 100km2) Endemic vertebrate’s/area ratio (species per 100km2) Remaining primary vegetation as % of original extent
The eight hottest hot spots in terms of five factors Madagascar Philippines Sundaland www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 27
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Brazil's Atlantic Forest Caribbean Indo-Burma Western Ghats/Sri Lanka Eastern Arc and Coastal Forests of Tanzania/Kenya
INDIAN BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS
Himalaya: Includes the entire Indian Himalayan region (and that falling in Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar) Indo-Burma: Includes entire North-eastern India, except Assam and Andaman group of Islands (and Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and southern China) Sundalands: Includes Nicobar group of Islands (and Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines) Western Ghats and Sri Lanka: Includes entire Western Ghats (and Sri Lanka)
DO YOU KNOW
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve States- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka If you are asked to pick related National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries or Tiger Reserve? It includes the Aralam, Mudumalai, Mukurthi, Nagarhole, Bandipur and Silent Valley national parks, as well as the Wayanad and Sathyamangalam wildlife sanctuaries. Part of World Network of Biosphere Reserves. (Exclusive information)
Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh The reserve is also the source of three major river systems: the Narmada, the Johilla and the Son River. (Exclusive information) Maikal hill ranges together with Vindhya and Satpura lie within the Achanakmar- Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve. (Exclusive information) World Network of Biosphere Reserves
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Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve Kerala and Tamilnadu World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Nokrek Biosphere Reserve West Garo Hills-Meghalaya World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Answer these? Most Northern Biosphere Reserve (BR)? Most Eastern BR? Most Western BR? Most Southern BR? Which BR lies in the center of India?
Locate Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves and National Parks of States- Direction Wise Assam- West to East Manas Wildlife Sanctuary- Orang NP- Laokhowa WLS-Kaziranga NP- Holongapar Gibbon WLS- Dibru-Saikhowa NP
Kerala- North to South Aralam WLS-Waynad WLS-Silent Valley NP- Peechi Vazhani WLS-Parambikulam Tiger Reserve-Chinna WLS-Eravikulam NP-Periyar Tiger Reserve-Neyyar WLS
International Year of Biodiversity The UN declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. UN declared 22 May as International Day for Biological Diversity.
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NATURAL WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN INDIA
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as of special cultural or physical significance.
Sl. Name of WH Site State Year of Area No. Location Notification (sq.km) 1 Great Himalayan National Park Himachal Pradesh 2014 905.4 Conservation Area 2 Western Ghats Maharashtra, 2012 7,953.15 Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala 3 Nanda Devi and Uttarakhand 1988 630.00 Valley of Flowers National Parks 87.50 4 Sundarbans National Park West Bengal 1987 1,330.10 5 Kaziranga National Park Assam 1985 429.96 6 Keoladeo National Park Rajasthan 1985 28.73 7 Manas Wildlife Sanctuary Assam 1985 391.00
BIODIVERSITY HERITAGE SITES (BHS)
Under Section 37 of Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (BDA) the State Government in consultation with local bodies may notify in the official gazette, areas of biodiversity importance as Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS).
“Biodiversity Heritage Sites” (BHS) are well defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems – terrestrial, coastal and inland waters and, marine having rich biodiversity comprising of any one or more of the following components: richness of wild as well as domesticated species or intra-specific categories, high endemism, presence of rare and threatened species, keystone species, species of evolutionary significance, wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or their varieties, past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds and having significant cultural, ethical or aesthetic values and are important for the maintenance of cultural diversity, with or without a long history of human
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Significance and objectives of Biodiversity Heritage sites
Biodiversity is closely linked to ecological security and therefore, human welfare. To strengthen the biodiversity conservation in traditionally managed areas and to stem the rapid loss of biodiversity in intensively managed areas, such areas need special attention. Such areas also often represent a positive interface between nature, culture, society, and technologies, such that both conservation and livelihood security are or can be achieved, and positive links between wild and domesticated biodiversity are enhanced. To have a BHS in or around a community should be a matter of pride and honour to such community and this virtuous act of community may work as an example to the entire nation apart from ensuring availability of the resources to their own future generation. The areas like existing sacred grooves in general and those existing in Western Ghats in particular can be straight away be declared and notified as BHS. It is necessary to instill and nurture conservation ethics in all sections of the society. The creation of BHS will ensure bringing home these values in the society and thereby put an end to over-exploitation of natural resources and avoid environmental degradation. The creation of BHS may not put any restriction on the prevailing practices and usages of the local communities, other than those voluntarily decided by them. The purpose is to enhance the quality of life of the local communities through this conservation measure.
Examples Ameenpur Lake has the distinction of being the first water body in the country to be declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site. Ameenpur Lake dates back to the time of Ibrahim Qutb Shah, who ruled the kingdom of Golconda between 1550 and 1580. Majuli: It is an island situated in the Brahmaputra River which is harboring unique Ecological and Cultural Heritage. Dialong Village-Manipur Dhotrey BHS under the Darjeeling Forest Division- It is a Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas
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THE HIGH BIODIVERSITY WILDERNESS AREAS (HBWA) Developed by Conservation International (CI). HBWAs consist of 5 of the 24 major wilderness areas that hold globally significant levels of biodiversity. The 5 HBWAs are Amazonia, the Congo forests of Central Africa, New Guinea, the Miombo-Mopane woodlands of Southern Africa (including the Okavango Delta), and the North American desert complex of northern Mexico and the Southwestern part of United States of America. The intact portion of these areas covers 8,981,000 km2 (76% of their original extent), and 6.1% of the planet’s land area. The geographic boundaries of the HBWAs coincide with the boundaries of several amalgamated WWF eco-regions.
Criterion Wilderness areas are classified as areas ≥10,000 km2 that are based on the world’s terrestrial eco-regions, with a human population density outside urban areas of ≤5 people per km2 that retain at least 70% of their historical habitat extent (500 years ago). This analysis yielded 24 wilderness areas. The HBWA are the top five wilderness areas based on endemic biodiversity (at least 0.5% of the world’s plants).
KEY BIODIVERSITY AREAS (KBAS
Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) is an umbrella term commonly used to include areas that contribute to the global persistence of biodiversity, including vital habitat for threatened plant and animal species in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Globally KBAs are designated based on 11 criteria defined under five broad categories of threatened biodiversity; geographically restricted biodiversity; ecological integrity; biological processes; and, irreplaceability. The criteria for designating a site as KBA have been described in the document "The Global Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas (2016)" by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). IUCN identifies 531 KBA sites in India but these have no legal basis [Information available at http://www.keybiodiversityareas.org/home].
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CONSERVATION EFFORTS
PROJECT ELEPHANT
The Indian elephant Elephas maximus occurs in the central and southern Western Ghats, North- east India, eastern India and northern India and in some parts of southern peninsular India.
It is included in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES).
It occurs in 16 of the 28 states in the country and is showing an increasing trend across its distributional range. Its population in 2007 was estimated to be in the range from 27,657 to 27,682, whereas in 2012 the population was estimated to be between 27,785 and 31,368.
PROJECT ELEPHANT was launched by the Government of India in the year 1992 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with following objectives: To protect elephants, their habitat & corridors To address issues of man-animal conflict Welfare of captive elephants
The Project is being mainly implemented in 16 States / UTs , viz. Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provides the financial and technical support to major elephant range states in the country through Project Elephant.
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Elephant Corridor
Stretch/narrow strips of forested land that connects larger habitats with elephant populations and forms a conduit for animal movement between the habitats. This movement helps in enhancing the species survival and birth rate. In India – 88 identified elephant corridors. Of total only 70% used by elephants. 1/3rd – ecologically high priority and 2/3rd – medium priority. Fragmentation of elephant habitat severity in following order – o Northern WB → NW India → NE India → central India South India – least fragmented because 65% corridors in south are protected areas or in reserved forests.
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Monitoring of illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Programme Project Elephant has been formally implementing MIKE (Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants) programme of CITES in 10 Elephant reserves since January 2004. It is mandated by COP resolution of CITES. It was started in South Asia in 2003 with the following purpose - 1. To measure levels and trends in illegal hunting of elephants. 2. To determine changes in these trends overtime. 3. To determine the factors causing or associated with these changes and to try and assess in particular to what extent observed trends are a result of any decisions taken by the Conference of the Parties to CITES. 4. Data are collected from all sites on monthly basis in specified MIKE patrol form and submitted to Sub-Regional Support Office for South Asia Programme in Delhi who are assisting Ministry in implementation of the programme. Haathi mere Saathi
No-no not the above movie. We are talking about campaign which was launched by the Ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) in partnership with the, wildlife trust of India (WTI). To improve conservation and welfare prospects of the elephant - India's National Heritage Animal. Launched at - "Elephant- 8" Ministerial meeting, Delhi in 2011. E-8 countries are India, Botswana, Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Kenya, Sri lanka, Tanzania, and Thailand. www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 35
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Aim – Increasing awareness among people and developing friendship, companionship between people and elephants.
The campaign Mascot “Gaju” Focuses on target audience groups including locals near elephant habitats, youth, policy makers etc. It envisions of setting up of Gajah (Elephant) centre to spread awareness on their plight and invoke people’s participation in addressing the threats to them. It also plans to build capacity of [protection and law enforcement agencies at the ground level, and advocate for policies favoring the elephants. Elephant task force (ETF) campaign to “Take Gajah (elephant) to the Prajah (people)” aims to spread awareness and encourage people’s participation in elephant conservation and welfare.
PROJECT TIGER
Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in the year 1973 to save the endangered species of tiger in the country.
Starting from nine (9) reserves in 1973-2016 the number is grown up to fifty (50). A total area of 71027.10 km2 is covered by these project tiger areas. The tiger reserves are constituted on a core/buffer strategy.
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Q. Consider the following pairs: (2014) 1. Dampa Tiger Reserve: Mizoram 2. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary: Sikkim 3. Saramati Peak : Nagaland Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched? a) 1 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. Consider the following protected areas: (2012) 1. Bandipur 2. Bhitarkanika 3. Manas 4. Sunderbans Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves? a) 1 and 2 only b) 1, 3 and 4 only c) 2, 3 and 4 only d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
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Tiger reserves are areas that are notified for the protection of the tiger and its prey, and are governed by Project Tiger. The State Government shall, on recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, notify an area as a tiger-reserve.
Zonation Core Zone Established, on the basis of scientific and objective criteria. Kept as inviolate for the purposes of tiger conservation, without affecting ST or forest dwellers rights. Notified by state government.
Buffer Zone Peripheral area to core area. Requires lesser degree of habitat protection. Ensure the integrity of the critical tiger habitat. Aim - promoting co-existence between wildlife and human activity. Limits of such areas are determined on the basis of scientific and objective criteria in consultation with the concerned Gram Sabha and an Expert Committee. No alteration in the boundaries of a tiger reserve shall be made except on a recommendation of the NTCA and the approval of the NBWL (National Board For Wildlife). No State Government shall de-notify a tiger reserve, except in public interest with the approval of the NTCA and the approval of the NBWL.
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National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
It is a statutory body of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, with an overarching supervisory / coordination role, performing functions as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Power and Functions of NTCA As prescribed under section 38O of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006 are as under - To approve the tiger conservation plan prepared by the State Government. To evaluate and assess various aspects of sustainable ecology and disallow any ecologically unsustainable land use (mining, industry and other projects) within the tiger reserves. To lay down normative standards for – o Tourism activities o Guidelines for project tiger from time to time for tiger conservation in the buffer and core area of tiger reserves and ensure their due compliance. Provide for management focus and measures for addressing conflicts of men and wild animal. Provide information on protection measures including future conservation plan, estimation of population of tiger and its natural prey species, status of habitats, disease surveillance, mortality survey, patrolling, reports on untoward happenings and such other management aspects as it may deem fit including future plan conservation; Approve, co-ordinate research and monitoring on tiger, co-predators, prey habitat, related ecological and socio-economic parameters and their evaluation; Ensure that the tiger reserves and areas linking one protected area or tiger reserve with another protected area or tiger reserve are not diverted for ecologically unsustainable uses, except in public interest and with the approval of the national board for wild life and on the advice of the tiger conservation authority; Facilitate and support the tiger reserve management in the state for biodiversity conservation initiatives through eco-development and people’s participation as per www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 40
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approved management plans and to support similar initiatives in adjoining areas consistent with the central and state laws; Ensure critical support including scientific, information technology and legal support for better implementation of the tiger conservation plan; Facilitate ongoing capacity building programme for skill development of officers and staff of tiger reserves, and Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this act with regard to conservation of tigers and their habitat.
The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 The Act provides for creating National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau).
Estimation of Tiger Populations Most commonly used technique – ‘Pugmark Census Technique’. Recent methods - Camera trapping and DNA fingerprinting. Camera trapping - photographs of individual tigers are differentiated on the basis of the stripes on the body. DNA fingerprinting – latest technique – tigers are identified from their scats.
Tiger Task Force On the basis of the recommendations of National Board for Wild Life, a Task Force was set up to look into the problems of tiger conservation in the country. Setup by - Ministry of Environment and Forests (Project Tiger) International Cooperation India has a bilateral understanding with Nepal on controlling transboundary illegal trade in wildlife India has signed a protocol on tiger conservation with China. A sub-group on tiger/leopard conservation has been constituted for cooperation with the Russian Federation. A Global Tiger Forum of Tiger Range Countries has been created for addressing international issues related to tiger conservation. India is a party to CITES. CITES’s landmark decision states that ‘tigers should not be bred for trade in their parts and derivatives’.
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Q. Consider the following statements (2014) 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body. 3. National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? a) 1 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 2 only d) 1, 2 and 3
M-STrIPES
Monitoring System for Tigers - Intensive Protection and Ecological Status is a software-based monitoring system launched across Indian tiger reserves by the Indian government's National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2010. The system's objective is to strengthen patrolling and surveillance of the Endangered Bengal tiger.
The system consists of two components Field based protocols for patrolling, law enforcement, recording wildlife crimes and ecological monitoring. Customized software for storage, retrieval, analysis and reporting. Currently law enforcement and ecological monitoring are being done, but the information generated is ad hoc and rarely available in a format for informed decision making.
Conservation Assured (CA|TS)
Conservation Assured (CA|TS) is a new conservation tool to set minimum standards for effective management of target species and to encourage assessment of these standards in relevant conservation / protected areas. The first species-specific CA standards are for the tiger (Panthera Tigris).
At present, few protected areas are truly effective refuges for tigers and this has contributed to a catastrophic decline in their numbers over the last decade, despite major investments in their conservation. www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 42
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CA|TS aims to be a key element in realizing the ambitious goal of doubling the global tiger population by 2022; a commitment made by all 13 Tiger Range Countries (TRC). Developed by WWF and partners, the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) has endorsed CA|TS and has requested member countries to establish National Review Committees for purpose of initiating CA|TS. Nepal is the first TRC to implement the process; Bhutan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and India are following Nepal’s lead. CA|TS is an important tool in the achievement of the CBD’s Global Aichi Targets, in particular Aichi Target 11 and 12, and contributes to the implementation of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas, particularly the last goal related to Standards, Assessment and Monitoring.
Tiger Reserves in India
S.No. Tiger Reserve State Total Area (km2) 1 Bandipur Karnataka 1456 2 Jim Corbett Uttarakhand 1288 3 Kanha Madhya Pradesh 2052 4 Manas Assam 3151 5 Melghat Maharashtra 2769 6 Palamau Jharkhand 1130 7 Ranthambore Rajasthan 1411 8 Similipal Odisha 2750 9 Sunderbans West Bengal 2585 10 Periyar Kerala 925 11 Sariska Rajasthan 1213 12 Buxa West Bengal 758 13 Indravati Chhattisgarh 2799 14 Namdapha Arunachal Pradesh 2053 15 Dudhwa Uttar Pradesh 2202 16 Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tamil Nadu 1602 www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 43
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17 Valmiki Bihar 899 18 Pench Madhya Pradesh 1180 19 Tadoba Maharashtra 1728 20 Bandhavgarh Madhya Pradesh 1598 21 Panna Madhya Pradesh 1579 22 Dampa Mizoram 988 23 Bhadra Karnataka 1064 24 Pakhui Arunachal Pradesh 1198 26 Nameri Assam 344 27 Satpura Madhya Pradesh 2133 28 Anamalai Tamil Nadu 1480 29 Udanti-Sitanadi Chhattisgarh 1843 30 Satkosia Odisha 964 31 Kaziranga Assam 1174 32 Achanakmar Chhattisgarh 914 33 Kali Karnataka 1098 34 Sanjay-Dubri Madhya Pradesh 1675 35 Mudumalai Tamil Nadu 689 36 Nagarahole Karnataka 1206 37 Parambikulam Kerala 644 38 Sahyadri Maharashtra 1166 39 Biligiriranga Karnataka 575 40 Kawal Telangana 2019 41 Sathyamangalam Tamil Nadu 1408 42 Mukandra Hills Rajasthan 760 43 Nawegaon-Nagzira Maharashtra 1895 www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 44
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44 Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Andhra Pradesh 3296 45 Amrabad Telangana 2611 46 Pilibhit Uttar Pradesh 730 47 Bor Maharashtra 816 48 Rajaji Uttarakhand 1075 49 Orang Assam 492 50 Kamlang Arunachal Pradesh 783
Which State has maximum number of Tiger Reserves? Maharashtra or Karnataka or Madhya Pradesh?
MP Kanha Pench- lies with MP and Maharashtra both Bandhavgarh Panna Satpura Sanjay-Dubri
Karnataka Nagarhole Bandipur Bhadra Dandeli-Anshi Biligiri Ranganatha Temple- The BR hills links the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats.
Maharashtra Bor Sahyadri Pench-lies with MP and Maharashtra both Nawegaon-Nagzira Melghat Tadoba-Andhari
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Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary- Maharashtra It forms the northern portion of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, with Chandoli National Park forming the southern part of the reserve. The rivers Koyna, Kandati, and Solashi meander through the sanctuary.
Panna Tiger Reserve-Madhya Pradesh Majhgaon medium irrigation project, that will 78.6 hectares of prime forest area which falls in the buffer zone of the Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR). Ken-Betwa River Interlinking Project was in news. It is related to Panna Tiger River. Read about Ken-Betwa.
Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve –Chhattisgarh Recently Black Panther was spotted here. Black panthers were earlier said to inhabit the Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary.
Buxa Tiger Reserve- Northern West Bengal Recently, Red Foxes were spotted here.
Nallamala Forests The Nallamala Forests are probably the largest stretch of undisturbed forest in South India apart from the Western Ghats and were particularly rich in game till the 1970s. A large part of the forest is a part of the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve that has a viable tiger population.. The Chenchus are Adivasi, a designated Scheduled Tribe in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Odisha.
INDIAN CROCODILE CONSERVATION PROJECT
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With the technical help from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Launched in – 1975 This project had saved crocodiles from extinction and placed them on good path of recovery. Protect the remaining population of crocodilians in their natural habitat. To rebuild natural, population quickly through 'grow and release' or 'rear and release' technique Captive Gharial hatcheries and rearing pools came up in nine states and the Central Crocodile Breeding and Management Training Institute (CCBMTI) opened in Hyderabad in 1978 to add fillip to the campaign. To take-up research to improve management. To build up a level of trained personnel for better continuity of the project. To involve the local people in the project intimately. The project's ultimate aim, however, is to help villagers rear crocodiles for economic gains through skin sales. "High fertility combined with a long reproductive life span and proper management assures profits varying between 25 and 35 per cent.
VULTURE
India has 9 species of vultures in the wild. They are the Oriental White-backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)
Slender billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris)
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Long billed Vulture (Gyps indicus)
Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
Red Headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus)
Indian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)
Himalayan Griffon
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Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) and
Bearded Vulture or Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus).
In India - White-backed Vulture (endangered), Slender billed Vulture and Long Billed Vulture declined. Red-headed vulture or king vulture, Slender billed Vulture and Long billed Vulture - critically endangered. Reason for decline was considered as decline in food availability or viral epidemic disease but it was due to drug Diclofenac. Q. Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to (2012) a) The destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species. b) A drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle. c) Scarcity of food available to them. d) A widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them.
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Diclofenac Sodium as the Probable Cause A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administered to reduce inflammation and to reduce pain in certain conditions. Diclofenac was given to cattles for reducing pain. The carcass of these cattles was eaten by Vultures. Vultures were unable to break down the chemical diclofenac and suffer from kidney failure (NSAIDs are associated with adverse kidney (renal) failure which is caused due to the reduction in synthesis of renal prostaglandins)
"Neck drooping" – this behavior of vultures just weeks before collapsing from trees is sign or indication that birds are ill. Neck drooping is also reported in healthy birds under hot conditions.
Alternative of Diclofenac – Meloxicam 2nd generation NSAID. Better than Diclofenac for the treatment of livestock, with reduced risk of side effects. Also approved for human use.
Q.) Diclofenac is banned but it is still in use. How’s that’s possible? Indian govt. had banned it for use on cattles. But it is not banned for human use and so same is used for cattles. Human form of diclofenac is cheaper than Meloxicam
Significance of Vultures in India Keeps environment clean – by scavenging animal carcass. Parsi community’s religious practice of disposing dead bodies. (see 4th point of next question for details) www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 50
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Primary removers of carrion in India and Africa.
Q.) What if Vultures would not be there? Equilibrium between populations of other scavenging species will be affected. Result in increase in putrefying carcasses. Increasing risk of spread of Rabies and Anthrax - Movement of Feral dogs into carcass dumps Traditional custom of the Parsis of placing their dead in the “Towers of Silence” for vultures to feed upon will be affected.
Towers of Silence
Life will be much harder for local hide and bone-collectors, who rely, on cleaned carcasses in order to earn living. Cattle owners will have to pay to have livestock carcasses buried or burnt.
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Vulture Safety Zones (VSZ) To establish targeted awareness activities surroundings 150 km radius of vultures' colonies so that no diclofenac or the veterinary toxic drugs are found in cattle carcasses, the main food of vultures (to provide safe food).
Zones 1. Corbett to Katriya Ghat Slender-billed vulture and white-backed vulture. Marshy grassland, Savannas and forests. 2. Dibrugarh (Assam) to North Lakhimpur (Arunachal pradesh) Slender billed and white backed species of vulture 3. Central India covering Chhatisgarh, where white-backed and long-billed vultures are found.
How VSZ can be helpful? Safe source of food that is free of contamination from veterinary drugs, poisons and other agricultural chemicals. A place where vultures can feed free from human disturbances. Supplement the ever decreasing food base for vultures. Increase their breeding success because of food availability. An economical and practical way of disposing of old and unproductive cattle. Help to reduce the risk of spreading diseases. A place for scientists to study the biology and ecology of these threatened species. An opportunity to raise public awareness on vulture conservation and to raise funds An excellent opportunity for eco-tourists to observe these magnificent birds.
Vulture Restaurants
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At this restaurant, tables are reserved only for the unique and rare vultures by Maharashtra and Punjab forest departments. Conserve the fast dwindling vulture population. Diclofenac free carcasses of cattle. Involvement of local communities in in-situ conservation. People inform the forest department in case of the death of an animal in their village and the department tests the dead animal for presence of diclofenac. In their absence the department pays monetary benefits to the owner of the animal and informer, transports it to the vulture restaurant. Whenever a vulture nesting is found, conservation measures like providing safe food near nesting trees, constant protection ... from all sorts of disturbances, etc., are put in place without delay. Benefits Conservation of vulture from extinction Community participation in conservation Economic incentive to local cattle breeders Phasing out the use of diclofenac Awareness Dining spots Punjab - Kathlore, Chandola and Chamraur Maharastra - Gadchiroli, Thane, Nagpur, Nashik, Raigad districts
Breeding Centers in India Vulture Breeding and Conservation Centre had already been established at - Pinjore, Haryana Rani, Guwahati (Assam) Buxa, West Bengal www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 53
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Junagadh Bhopal Hyderabad Bhubhaneshwar
India’s Role in Conservation India moved a motion in IUCN in, 2004 for vulture conservation, which was accepted in the form of the IUCN resolution. This resolution called upon Gyps Vulture Range countries to begin action to – o Prevent all uses of diclofenac in veterinary applications. o Establishment of IUCN South Asian Task Force under the auspices of the IUCN and range countries to develop and implement national vulture recovery plans, including conservation breeding and release.
Palarapu cliff vulture habitat in Telangana.
Forest Department officials from Palarapu cliff vulture habitat visited Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre (JCBC), Pinjore, Haryana, to study the methods and status of conservation. Vulture Safe Zone (VSZ) initiative of the Pinjore JCBC to be implemented in Telangana. The project envisages elimination of the probability of consumption of the drug diclofenac through animal carcasses by the vultures within a radius of 100 km which is considered to be the range of the habitat.
PROJECT SNOW LEOPARD A globally endangered species that recently got lifted to Vulnerable Status under IUCN. A species is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ when it is not ‘Critically Endangered’ or ‘Endangered’ but is still facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future. Surviving in the Himalaya and Central Asian mountains, facing tremendous human pressures. India having a substantial proportion of its global population. Distribution in India – High altitude areas of Indian Himalayas. 5 Himalayan states - Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Most snow leopard occurring order - China, follow by Mongolia and India. Threats posed due to o Competition with livestock www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 54
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o Degradation o Poaching o Even facing local extinction
Project Snow Leopard - Jan 2009
The Project Snow Leopard is an Indian initiative for strengthening wildlife conservation in the Himalayan high altitudes. To promote a knowledge-based and adaptive conservation framework. It also involves the local communities, who share the snow leopard's range, in conservation efforts. To safeguard and conserve India's unique natural heritage of high altitude wildlife populations and their habitats by promoting conservation through participatory policies and actions. All Himalayan high altitudes states Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. It is designed for all biologically important habitats within the snow leopard's range, irrespective of their ownership (e.g. Protected Areas, common land, etc.). Expansion of scope of the CITES Tiger Enforcement Task Force to include all Asian Big cat species including the snow leopard.
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Save Our Snow Leopards (SOS) It is a project launched by WWF India, in partnership with Tata Housing Development Company in January 2014.
ONE HORN RHINO
Implemented by Department of environment and forests, Assam with Bodo autonomous council as an active partner. WWF-India, International Rhino foundation (IRF), Save the Rhino's Campaign of zoological institutions worldwide and number of local NGOs. To increase the total rhino foundation in Assam from about 2000 to 3000 by 2020. To ensure that these rhinos are distributed over at least 7 protected areas (PA) to provide long term viability of the one-horned rhino population.
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Project partners - Assam Forest Department, the Bodoland Territorial Council, WWF, IRF, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Found in Kaziranga, Orang and Manas National Parks and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam, India Species - Greater one-horned rhinos Habitat - Grasslands and shrub lands on the southern base of the Himalayas Translocating rhinos will help to create a viable population this threatened species.
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SEA TURTLE PROJECT
Q. Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India? (2012) a) Saltwater crocodile b) Olive ridley turtle c) Gangetic dolphin d) Gharial
A significant proportion of world's Olive Ridley Turtle population migrates every winter to Indian coastal waters for nesting mainly at eastern coast. Implementation by MoEF&CC + UNDP + WII (Min. of Environment, Forest and Climate change, United Nations Development Programme, Wildlife Institute of India) Conservation of olive ridley turtles and other endangered marine turtles. Implemented in 10 coastal states of the country with special emphasis in State of Orissa o Preparation of inventory map of breeding sites of Sea Turtles o Identification of nesting and breeding habitats along the shore line o Migratory routes taken by Sea Turtles o Development of guidelines to safeguard and minimize turtle mortality, o Development of national and international cooperative and collaborative action for Sea Turtle Conservation o Developing guideline plans for tourism in sea turtle areas and developing infrastructure and human resources for Sea Turtle Conservation.
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One of the important achievements - demonstration of use of Satellite Telemetry to locate the migratory route of Olive Ridley Turtles in the sea and sensitizing the fishermen and State Government for the use of Turtle Exclusion Device (TED) in fishing trawlers to check turtle mortality in fishing net.
PROJECT HANGUL
Kashmir stag is also known as Hangul. It is a subspecies of Central Asian Red Deer native to northern India. State animal of Jammu & Kashmir. This deer lives in groups of two to 18 individuals in dense riverine forests, high valleys, and mountains of the Kashmir valley and northern Chamba in Himachal Pradesh. In Kashmir - found in Dachigam National Park (3,035 meters’ elevation) Threats - habitat destruction, over-grazing by domestic livestock and poaching. Once they were 5000 but remained just 150 by 1970. However, the state of Jammu & Kashmir, along with the IUCN and the WWF prepared a project for the protection of these animals. It was known as Project Hangul. This brought great result.
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CAPTIVE BREEDING Captive breeding means that members of a wild species are captured, then bred and raised in a special facility under the care of wildlife biologists and other expert. This may be the last chance to preserve a species in the wild in these situations – o When a population drops dangerously o When the entire existing habitat is poor quality or other environmental problems occur. o When the existing habitat is fragmented. o When we need to acquire knowledge about specie. E.g. captive breeding of lion tailed macaque in Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai and in Mysore zoo.
GANGES DOLPHIN
National Aquatic Animal Inhabits the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Kamaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. Listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972). It is among the 4 "obligate" freshwater dolphins found in the world - the other three are o 'Baiji' found in the Yangtze River (China) o 'Bhulan' of the Indus (Pakistan) o 'Boto' of the Amazon River (Latin America). Although there are several species of marine dolphins whose ranges include some freshwater habitats, these four species live only in rivers and lakes. Chinese river dolphin – extinct Threats - river water pollution and siltation, accidental entanglement in fishing nets and poaching for their oil, alterations to the rivers in the form of barrages and dams are separating populations.
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DO YOU KNOW PIKA
Pikas are members of the rabbit family and look like tailless rats.
They live in the mountains or in temperate regions. They are a keystone species and ecosystem engineers. They do not hibernate unlike other mammalian species inhabiting such cold climates. The common name pika is basically used for any member of the Ochotonidae family.
Tamil Nadu accounts for the highest number flowering plants in the country According to the publication released by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Tamil Nadu accounts for the highest number flowering plants in the country. The publication titled Endemic Vascular Plants of India also revealed that almost one of every four species of flowering plants found in India are endemic to the country. Of the total 18,259 flowering plants reported in the country, 4,303 (over 23%) are found only in India or they are endemic to the country. Of these, Tamil Nadu accounts for the highest number of species with 410, followed by Kerala (357 species) and Maharashtra (278 species).
The Birds of Banni Grassland The Birds of Banni Grassland is book based on environment and consists of a compilation of the research work, relating to more than 250 species of birds found in the Banni area of Kutch, Gujarat. The book was presented to the Prime Minister by the scientists of Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology (GUIDE).
Phumdi: The floating islands of Loktak lake in Manipur are called Phumdis Raad: Raad is the local name of floating gardens in Kashmir.
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Bet: Bet is the name given to a flood plain when it is flooded with water. Sometimes the entire flood plain is called Bet land. One of the largest Bet land area of India is Ganga Kosi Flood plain in Bihar. Tila: Tila is the local name of soil mounds or small hillocks in North India.
Arisaema (Cobra Lily) is a large and diverse genus of the flowering plant family Araceae. The largest concentration of species is in China and Japan, with other species native other parts of southern Asia as well as eastern and central Africa, Mexico and eastern North America. Of the handful cobra lily species found in the Nilgiris, only two are endemic.
Bioprospecting Bioprospecting can be defined as the systematic search for and development of new sources of chemical compounds, genes, micro – organisms, macro – organisms, and other valuable products from nature. It entails the search for economically valuable genetic and biochemical resources from nature. So, in brief, bioprospecting means looking for ways to commercialize biodiversity. Nations endowed with rich biodiversity explore molecular, genetic and species – level diversity to derive products of economic importance.
Biopiracy
As genetic research becomes more sophisticated, so does our ability to use plants and animals to develop new drugs or modify crops to meet food security needs. Often, in the search for new bioresources, researchers draw on local people’s traditional knowledge about the properties of a particular plant, animal or chemical compound. When researchers use traditional knowledge without permission, or exploits the cultures they’re drawing from, it’s called biopiracy. Biopiracy happens when researchers or research organisations take biological resources without official sanction, largely from less affluent countries or marginalised people. Biopiracy is not limited to drug development. It also occurs in agricultural and industrial contexts. Indian products such as the neem tree, tamarind, turmeric, and Darjeeling tea have all been patented by foreign firms for different lucrative purposes.
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The Namdapha Flying Squirrel It is a unique (the only one in its genus) flying squirrel that is restricted to a single valley in the Namdapha National park or wild life sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh. Habitat - Tropical forest. Found only in Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh. IUCN Status- Critically Endangered This species is only known with certainty from a single specimen collected in Namdapha National Park (at altitudes of 100-350 m asl), Tirap District, Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India.
Impatiens Impatiens, also called jewel weeds, are seen in pristine forests where moisture content and relative humidity are high. They belong to The Balsaminaceae (commonly known as the Balsam family) are a family of dicotyledonous plants, comprising two genera: Impatiens, which consists of 1000+ species, and Hydrocera, consisting of 1 species One of the impatience, Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is an invasive terrestrial plant species. All Impatiens taste bitter and seem to be slightly toxic upon ingestion, causing intestinal ailments like vomiting and diarrhea. The toxic compounds have not been identified but are probably the same as those responsible for the bitter taste, likely might be glycosides or alkaloids.
Differences between Platypus and Echidna Mammals are always thought of giving birth to young ones but sometimes it can be different too. Can you ever think of mammals laying eggs instead of giving birth to babies? Yes, there are egg laying mammals and they are known as monotremes. As suggested by egg laying mammal facts, only five species of monotremes are extant, one of which is duck billed platypus and remaining four belong to the echidna family. These echidnas are also called as spiny anteaters because they like to have ants and termites in their diet. Also, due to their pointing spines, they are called spiny anteaters. They are quite similar with other mammals in few things, but differ in most of the characteristics. Sometimes, they behave like reptiles, while at other times; they show the characteristics of birds. Like other mammals, monotremes are warm-blooded. The existing monotreme species are the platypus and four species of echidnas (Total 5)
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Differences between Platypus and Echidna Though the echidnas and platypuses share similarities as they both are monotremes, but there do exist certain differences between them. A female platypus lays eggs in the special holes or burrows while a female echidna, on the other hand, lays egg in her pouch. Female platypus can lay two eggs at a time while an echidna can lay only one egg at a time. There are many other differences in their body structure, feeding habits, diet and so on.
Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has come out with new guidelines to create eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) around Protected Areas to prevent ecological damage caused due to developmental activities around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
The guidelines include a broad list of activities that could be allowed, promoted, regulated or promoted. This is an important checklist for conservationists to keep in mind while identifying threats in ESZs.
ESZs are based on the rules of Environment Protection Act, 1986 The guidelines said activities, including commercial mining, setting of saw mills and industries causing pollution, commercial use of firewood and major hydro-power projects, are prohibited in such areas. It also prohibits tourism activities like flying over protected areas in an aircraft or hot air balloon, and discharge of effluents and solid waste in natural water bodies or terrestrial areas. Felling of trees, drastic change in agriculture systems and commercial use of natural water resources, including groundwater harvesting and setting up of hotels and resorts, are the activities regulated in the areas. Activities permitted in the areas include ongoing agriculture and horticulture practices by local communities, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, adoption of green technology and use of renewable energy sources. The width of the ESZ and type of regulation may vary from protected area to area. However, as a general principle, the width of the ESZ could go up to 10 kms around the protected area. The ministry said all states and union territories were asked to forward site-specific proposals to set up ESZs. But only few states have forwarded the proposals. “This ministry after careful consideration, has therefore, decided to frame guidelines to www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 64
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facilitate the state/union territory for declaration of eco-sensitive zones around national parks and wild life sanctuaries.”
COASTAL REGULATION ZONES
Under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 of India, notification was issued in February 1991, for regulation of activities in the coastal area by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). Under this coastal areas have been classified as CRZ-1, CRZ-2, CRZ-3, CRZ-4. CRZ-I: these are ecologically sensitive areas these are essential in maintaining the ecosystem of the coast. They lie between low and high tide line. Exploration of natural gas and extraction of salt are permitted CRZ-II: these areas form up to the shoreline of the coast. Unauthorised structures are not allowed to construct in this zone. CRZ-III: rural and urban localities which fall outside the 1 and 2. Only certain activities related to agriculture even some public facilities are allowed in this zone CRZ-IV: this lies in the aquatic area up to territorial limits. Fishing and allied activities are permitted in this zone. Solid waste should be let off in this zone.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has framed a new draft Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2018. The salient features of the draft CRZ Notification, 2018 and changes with respect to CRZ Notification, 2011, are as under:-
The High Tide Line (HTL) has been demarcated by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) and shall be reckoned as a universal standard for the HTL for all regulatory purposes under the CRZ Notification, 2018. Hazard line mapping has also been carried out by Survey of India. The Hazard Line has, however, been delinked from the CRZ regulatory regime and shall be used only as a tool for Disaster Management and planning of adaptive and mitigation measures. CRZ limits on land along the tidal influenced water bodies has been proposed to be reduced from 100 meters or the width of the creek, whichever is less, to 50 meters or the width of the creek, whichever is less. A No Development Zone (NDZ) of 20 meters has been proposed to be stipulated for all Islands close to the main land coast and for all Backwater Islands in the main land. For CRZ-III areas, two separate categories have been proposed viz.: o CRZ-III A – Densely populated rural areas with a population density of 2161 per square kilometre as per 2011 Census. Such areas shall have an NDZ of 50 meters www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 65
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from the HTL as against 200 meters from the HTL stipulated in the CRZ Notification, 2011. o CRZ-III B – Rural areas with population density of below 2161 per square kilometre as per 2011 Census. Such areas shall continue to have an NDZ of 200 meters from the HTL. The procedure for CRZ clearances has been simplified and delegations have been made at various levels for recommending/according CRZ clearances to the projects/activities. Only such projects/activities, which are located in the CRZ-I & IV areas, shall be dealt with for CRZ clearance by the MoEF&CC. For all other project activities located in CRZ- II/III areas, CRZ clearance shall be considered at the level of the CZMA. As per CRZ, 2011 Notification, for CRZ-II areas, Floor Space Index (FSI) or the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) had been frozen at 1991 Development Control Regulation (DCR) levels. In the Draft CRZ, 2018 Notification, it has been proposed to de-freeze the same and permit FSI for construction projects, as prevailing on the date of the new Notification. Temporary tourism facilities such as shacks, toilet blocks, change rooms, drinking water facilities etc. have been proposed in Beaches. Such temporary tourism facilities are also proposed to be permissible in the No Development Zone (NDZ) of the CRZ-III areas. Wherever there is a National or State Level Highway passing through the NDZ in CRZ-III areas, temporary tourism facilities have been proposed to be taken up on the seaward site of the roads. On the landward side of such roads in the NDZ, Resorts/Hotels and other tourism facilities have also been proposed to be permitted subject to the extant regulations of the concerned State. Regulated limestone mining is proposed to be permitted, subject to strict Environmental safeguards, in areas adequately above the height of HTL, based on recommendations of reputed National Institutes in the Mining field.
Global Seed Vault It is a facility located on a remote island in the Arctic Ocean and it houses the world's largest collection of seeds. The seeds can be of use in the event of a global catastrophe or when some species is lost due to natural disasters. It is therefore also referred to as the doomsday vault. Located deep inside a mountain on a remote island in the Svalbard archipelago, halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. At Chang La in the Himalayas, at a height of 17,300 feet, there is a storage facility with over 5,000 seed accessions. One accession consists of a set of seeds of one species collected from different locations or different populations.
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The vault is a joint venture of the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (which comes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research) and the Defence Institute of High Altitude Research (under Defence Research and Development Organisation)
Priority Species
Priority species is WWF term which is any animal species which is of management concern. The African Wild Dog for example is of concern because of its critically endangered status. Lion and Hyena on the other hand are of concern and considered as priority species because of how heavily they impact on Wild Dog numbers. A natural threat to animals such as Wild Dogs and Cheetah is inter-specific competition with other large predators – especially lions. By understanding the demographics and feeding ecology of Lion and Hyena – and by managing their populations properly – we are better able to conserve the African Wild Dog. The ecological impact on the environment that a species has can also be of concern. For example, high densities of African Elephant (especially on small reserves) can have a detrimental effect on the ecosystem. We therefore also need to monitor this priority species to establish population demographics and feeding ecology of elephants. Priority species form a key element of the food chain and are closely connected to the stability or regeneration of habitats. WWF is focusing efforts on 10 clusters of priority species, from big cats to great apes to vultures. Species covered by these clusters are especially important, either for their ecosystem. Species forming a key element of the food chain Species which help the stability or regeneration of habitats Species demonstrating broader conservation needs Species important for the health and livelihoods of local communities Species exploited commercially Species that are important cultural icons.
Living Planet Report The Living Planet Report is published every two years by the World Wide Fund for Nature since 1998. It is based on the Living Planet Index and ecological footprint calculations. The Living Planet Report is the world's leading, science-based analysis on the health of our only planet and the impact of human activity. Humanity's demands exceed the Earth's capacity to sustain us. The latest edition of the Living Planet Report was released in October 2016. www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 67
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PREVIOUS YEAR PRELIMS QUESTIONS
Q. Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity? (2015) a) Bhitarkanika National Park b) Keibul Lamjao National Park c) Keoladeo Ghana National Park d) Sultanpur National Park
Q. Consider the following pairs: (2014) 1. Dampa Tiger Reserve : Mizoram 2. Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary : Sikkim 3. Saramati Peak : Nagaland Which of the above pairs is / are correctly matched? a) 1 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1,2 and 3
Q. The most important strategy for the conservation of biodiversity together with traditional human life is the establishment of (2014) a) Biosphere Reserves b) Botanical Gardens c) National Parks d) Wildlife Sanctuaries
Q. Consider the following pairs: (2013) National Park River flowing through the Park 1. Corbett National Park: Ganga 2. Kaziranga National Park: Manas 3. Silent Valley National Park: Kaveri Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched? a) 1 and 2 b) 3 only c) 1 and 3 d) None
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Q. In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass? (2012) a) Biosphere Reserves b) National Parks c) Wetlands declared under Ramsar Convention d) Wildlife Sanctuaries
Q. Consider the following protected areas: (2012) 1. Bandipur 2. Bhitarkanika 3. Manas 4. Sunderbans Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves? a) 1 and 2 only b) 1, 3 and 4 only c) 2, 3 and 4 only d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q. Two important rivers- one with its source in Jharkhand (and known by a different name in Odisha), and another, with its source in Odisha – merge at a place only a short distance from the coast of Bay of Bengal before flowing into the sea. This is an important site of wildlife and biodiversity and a protected area. Which one of the following could be this? (2011) a) Bhitarkanika b) Chandipur on sea c) Gopalpur on sea d) Simlipal
Q. The term M-STRIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of (2017) a) Captive breeding of Wild Fauna b) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves c) Indigenous Satellite Navigation System d) Security of National Highways
Q. Recently there was a proposal to translocate some of the lions from their natural habitat in Gujarat to which one of the following sites? (2017) a) Corbett National Park b) Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary www.ilp2019.iasbaba.com Page 69
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d) Sariska National Park
Q. In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply? (2017) 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 now 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.
Q. According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which of the following animals cannot be hunted by any person except under some provisions provided by law? (2017) 1. Gharial 2. Indian wild ass 3. Wild buffalo Select the correct answer using the code given below: a) 1 only b) 2 and 3 only c) 1 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats? (2017) a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve b) Nallamala Forest c) Nagarhole National Park d) Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve
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