🔘Himalayan Yak
In News
The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved the Himalayan Yak as a ‘food animal’.
About
◾️The Yak belongs to the Bovini tribe, which also includes bison, buffaloes, and cattle.
◾️It can tolerate temperatures as low as-40 degrees Celsius.
◾️Adapted for living at high altitudes, they have long hair that hangs off their sides like a curtain, sometimes touching the ground.
◾️Yaks are highly valued by Himalayan peoples. According to Tibetan legend, the first yaks were domesticated by Tibetan Buddhism founder Guru Rinpoche.
◾️They are also known as the lifeline of pastoral nomads in high altitudes of the Indian Himalayan region.
◾️Yaks are traditionally reared under a transhumance system which is primitive, unorganised and full of hardship.
◾️They are endemic to the Tibetan Plateau and the adjacent high-altitude regions.
◾️The yak-rearing states of India are Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
In News
The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved the Himalayan Yak as a ‘food animal’.
About
◾️The Yak belongs to the Bovini tribe, which also includes bison, buffaloes, and cattle.
◾️It can tolerate temperatures as low as-40 degrees Celsius.
◾️Adapted for living at high altitudes, they have long hair that hangs off their sides like a curtain, sometimes touching the ground.
◾️Yaks are highly valued by Himalayan peoples. According to Tibetan legend, the first yaks were domesticated by Tibetan Buddhism founder Guru Rinpoche.
◾️They are also known as the lifeline of pastoral nomads in high altitudes of the Indian Himalayan region.
◾️Yaks are traditionally reared under a transhumance system which is primitive, unorganised and full of hardship.
◾️They are endemic to the Tibetan Plateau and the adjacent high-altitude regions.
◾️The yak-rearing states of India are Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
🔘Project Great Indian Bustard
In News
The Supreme Court of India recently requested the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change to consider launching ‘Project Great Indian Bustard (GIB)’ like one for tigers.
About
◾️The Great Indian Bustard, found mainly in the Indian subcontinent, is the flagship grassland species of India.
◾️It is one of the largest flying birds in the world, and India’s heaviest flying bird.
◾️They are mainly in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, including the Desert National Park which is the natural habitat of the species.
◾️Grasslands of Kutch in Gujarat which is home to second-largest bustard population in India.
◾️Arid regions of Maharashtra (Solapur), Karnataka (Bellary and Haveri) and Andhra Pradesh (Kurnool).
◾️It is the State bird of Rajasthan.
Conservation status
◾️Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972.
◾️Listed in Appendix I of CITES,
Listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
In News
The Supreme Court of India recently requested the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change to consider launching ‘Project Great Indian Bustard (GIB)’ like one for tigers.
About
◾️The Great Indian Bustard, found mainly in the Indian subcontinent, is the flagship grassland species of India.
◾️It is one of the largest flying birds in the world, and India’s heaviest flying bird.
◾️They are mainly in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, including the Desert National Park which is the natural habitat of the species.
◾️Grasslands of Kutch in Gujarat which is home to second-largest bustard population in India.
◾️Arid regions of Maharashtra (Solapur), Karnataka (Bellary and Haveri) and Andhra Pradesh (Kurnool).
◾️It is the State bird of Rajasthan.
Conservation status
◾️Listed in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972.
◾️Listed in Appendix I of CITES,
Listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
🔘Sea Butterflies
In News
The population of the sea butterflies in the Southern Ocean is shrinking due to climate change, making them extremely vulnerable.
About
◾️Sea butterflies, scientific name Thecosomata, are a suborder of sea snails known as shelled pteropods.
◾️They are found in all oceans but are more diverse and abundant in colder waters.
◾️Sea butterflies have bilateral symmetry and a coiled or uncoiled shell of various shapes and sizes.
Their shell is mostly transparent and very fragile and can be easily dissolved by ocean acidification.
◾️They have a pair of wing-like lobes or parapodia for propulsion and a head with eyes, tentacles, and a mouth with a long proboscis to capture prey.
◾️They are a major food source for many fish, seabirds, whales, and other marine animals.
◾️They also play a key role in transporting carbon from the surface to the deep ocean through their shells and fecal pellets.
In News
The population of the sea butterflies in the Southern Ocean is shrinking due to climate change, making them extremely vulnerable.
About
◾️Sea butterflies, scientific name Thecosomata, are a suborder of sea snails known as shelled pteropods.
◾️They are found in all oceans but are more diverse and abundant in colder waters.
◾️Sea butterflies have bilateral symmetry and a coiled or uncoiled shell of various shapes and sizes.
Their shell is mostly transparent and very fragile and can be easily dissolved by ocean acidification.
◾️They have a pair of wing-like lobes or parapodia for propulsion and a head with eyes, tentacles, and a mouth with a long proboscis to capture prey.
◾️They are a major food source for many fish, seabirds, whales, and other marine animals.
◾️They also play a key role in transporting carbon from the surface to the deep ocean through their shells and fecal pellets.
🔘Helopeltis Theivora
In News
The tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis Theivora) is spreading rapidly and affecting tea production in both low and high-elevation plantations in Southern India
About
◾️It is a major sucking pest of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) in most tea-producing countries.
◾️The nymphs and adults of the TMB suck the sap from tender leaves, buds and young shoots, which results in heavy crop losses.
◾️It can be controlled by using synthetic pesticides.
◾️However, the 2014 Plant Protection Code (PPC) from the Tea Board of India restricts the use of harmful pesticides to keep the tea safe and free from harmful pesticides
In News
The tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis Theivora) is spreading rapidly and affecting tea production in both low and high-elevation plantations in Southern India
About
◾️It is a major sucking pest of tea (Camellia sinensis L.) in most tea-producing countries.
◾️The nymphs and adults of the TMB suck the sap from tender leaves, buds and young shoots, which results in heavy crop losses.
◾️It can be controlled by using synthetic pesticides.
◾️However, the 2014 Plant Protection Code (PPC) from the Tea Board of India restricts the use of harmful pesticides to keep the tea safe and free from harmful pesticides
🔘Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
In News
The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Assam government in response to a plea seeking the declaration of the area around Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam as an eco-sensitive zone.
About
◾️Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are designated areas surrounding national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that are deemed ecologically fragile and important for the conservation of wildlife and their habitats.
◾️MoEFCC has mandated the declaration of land within 10 km of the park or sanctuary boundaries as ESZs under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
◾️However, the application of the 10-km rule can vary, and areas beyond 10 km can also be notified as ESZs if they contain significant ecological corridors.
Categorization of Activities
Prohibited: Commercial mining, sawmills, polluting industries, major hydroelectric projects, and commercial use of wood.
◾️Regulated activities include tree felling, the establishment of hotels and resorts, commercial use of natural water, the erection of electrical cables, and drastic changes in agricultural practices.
◾️Permitted activities in ESZs include ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, the use of renewable energy sources, and the adoption of green technology for all activities
In News
The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the Assam government in response to a plea seeking the declaration of the area around Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam as an eco-sensitive zone.
About
◾️Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) are designated areas surrounding national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that are deemed ecologically fragile and important for the conservation of wildlife and their habitats.
◾️MoEFCC has mandated the declaration of land within 10 km of the park or sanctuary boundaries as ESZs under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
◾️However, the application of the 10-km rule can vary, and areas beyond 10 km can also be notified as ESZs if they contain significant ecological corridors.
Categorization of Activities
Prohibited: Commercial mining, sawmills, polluting industries, major hydroelectric projects, and commercial use of wood.
◾️Regulated activities include tree felling, the establishment of hotels and resorts, commercial use of natural water, the erection of electrical cables, and drastic changes in agricultural practices.
◾️Permitted activities in ESZs include ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, the use of renewable energy sources, and the adoption of green technology for all activities
🔘Lesser Flamingo
In News
After a six-year absence, the lesser flamingos have finally found their way back to Pulicat Lake.
About
◾️Lesser Flamingo is the smallest of all flamingos but has the largest population.
◾️It possesses the “hallux” or hind toe that some other flamingos do not have.
◾️Males are a little taller than females.
◾️It inhabits coastal and inland wetlands.
◾️Africa, Asia continents and in that especially Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, North Africa
They mostly eat blue-green algae but occasionally will take crustaceans and small insects.
◾️It is serially monogamous, meaning they form pairs that remain together while they are raising the young.
Conservation status.
◾️IUCN: Near Threatened
◾️Pulicat Lake is the second-largest brackish water lake in the country.
◾️It lies at the border of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
(Majorly lies in Andhra Pradesh)
In News
After a six-year absence, the lesser flamingos have finally found their way back to Pulicat Lake.
About
◾️Lesser Flamingo is the smallest of all flamingos but has the largest population.
◾️It possesses the “hallux” or hind toe that some other flamingos do not have.
◾️Males are a little taller than females.
◾️It inhabits coastal and inland wetlands.
◾️Africa, Asia continents and in that especially Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, North Africa
They mostly eat blue-green algae but occasionally will take crustaceans and small insects.
◾️It is serially monogamous, meaning they form pairs that remain together while they are raising the young.
Conservation status.
◾️IUCN: Near Threatened
◾️Pulicat Lake is the second-largest brackish water lake in the country.
◾️It lies at the border of the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
(Majorly lies in Andhra Pradesh)
🔘Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve
In News
A tigress has recently given birth to four cubs in the Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) in Maharashtra’s Gondia district.
About
◾️Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) is situated in Gondia and Shandara Districts of Maharashtra.
◾️It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1970.
◾️ In 2012, state government announced to merging this sanctuary with another national park to include in Tiger Project, now called as Nagzira Navegoan Tiger Reserve.
◾️It comprises Nawegaon National Park, Nawegaon Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary.
◾️It is connected with many surrounding tiger reserves like Pench, Kanha, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Indravati Tiger Reserve etc.
◾️The topography is undulating, and the highest point viz. ‘Zenda Pahad’ is around 702 m above Mean Sea Level.
In News
A tigress has recently given birth to four cubs in the Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) in Maharashtra’s Gondia district.
About
◾️Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) is situated in Gondia and Shandara Districts of Maharashtra.
◾️It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1970.
◾️ In 2012, state government announced to merging this sanctuary with another national park to include in Tiger Project, now called as Nagzira Navegoan Tiger Reserve.
◾️It comprises Nawegaon National Park, Nawegaon Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary.
◾️It is connected with many surrounding tiger reserves like Pench, Kanha, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Indravati Tiger Reserve etc.
◾️The topography is undulating, and the highest point viz. ‘Zenda Pahad’ is around 702 m above Mean Sea Level.
🔘Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary
In News
Rajasthan Chief Minister recently inaugurated ‘Jungle Safari’ at Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary.
About
◾️Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Udaipur district of Rajasthan surrounding Debar Lake (Jaisamand Lake).
◾️The forest of the Sanctuary used to be a Shikargah (Game Reserve) of the erstwhile Maharanas of Mewar.
◾️It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1957.
◾️The flora of this Sanctuary comprises of thickly wooded forests of mainly Teak wood.
◾️It is habitat to a large variety of animals like Bears, Black Bucks, Blue Bulls, Chinkaras, Chittal or Spotted Deer, Civets, Common Langurs, Four-horned Antelope, Foxes etc.
◾️It is also home to a huge variety of over 300 species of resident as well as migratory birds like Babblers, Buzzards, Curlews, Dalmatian Pelicans, Darters, Doves, Eagles, Egrets, Falcons, etc.
In News
Rajasthan Chief Minister recently inaugurated ‘Jungle Safari’ at Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary.
About
◾️Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Udaipur district of Rajasthan surrounding Debar Lake (Jaisamand Lake).
◾️The forest of the Sanctuary used to be a Shikargah (Game Reserve) of the erstwhile Maharanas of Mewar.
◾️It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in the year 1957.
◾️The flora of this Sanctuary comprises of thickly wooded forests of mainly Teak wood.
◾️It is habitat to a large variety of animals like Bears, Black Bucks, Blue Bulls, Chinkaras, Chittal or Spotted Deer, Civets, Common Langurs, Four-horned Antelope, Foxes etc.
◾️It is also home to a huge variety of over 300 species of resident as well as migratory birds like Babblers, Buzzards, Curlews, Dalmatian Pelicans, Darters, Doves, Eagles, Egrets, Falcons, etc.
🔘Moray eel
In News
Researchers have discovered a new species of Moray eel at the Mudasalodai fish landing centre off the Cuddalore coast.
About
◾️Moray eels or Muraenidae are a family of eels found worldwide
They have small eyes and rely primarily on their highly developed sense of smell to ambush prey.
◾️ Their body is mostly patterned.
Moray eels live in shallow water among reefs and rocks in all tropical and subtropical seas.
◾️Moray eels can be found in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
◾️They are distinguished by two types of jaws: regular (oral) jaws with large teeth and the pharyngeal jaw (which drags prey inside the eel’s stomach).
◾️The newly discovered species has been named after Tamil Nadu as Gymnothorax tamilnaduensis with common name as Tamil Nadu brown moray
In News
Researchers have discovered a new species of Moray eel at the Mudasalodai fish landing centre off the Cuddalore coast.
About
◾️Moray eels or Muraenidae are a family of eels found worldwide
They have small eyes and rely primarily on their highly developed sense of smell to ambush prey.
◾️ Their body is mostly patterned.
Moray eels live in shallow water among reefs and rocks in all tropical and subtropical seas.
◾️Moray eels can be found in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
◾️They are distinguished by two types of jaws: regular (oral) jaws with large teeth and the pharyngeal jaw (which drags prey inside the eel’s stomach).
◾️The newly discovered species has been named after Tamil Nadu as Gymnothorax tamilnaduensis with common name as Tamil Nadu brown moray
🔘Eurasian Otters
In News
Three Eurasian Otters were recently spotted in the Neeru stream of the Chenab catchment in Jammu and Kashmir.
About
◾️Eurasian Otter is a semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal.
◾️Scientific Name: Lutra lutra
It has one of the widest distributions of all Palaearctic mammals.
◾️Its range covers parts of three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa.
In India, it occurs in northern, northeast, and southern India.
◾️It lives in a wide variety of aquatic habitats, including highland and lowland lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, swamp forests, and coastal areas.
◾️In the Indian sub-continent, Eurasian otters occur in cold hill and mountain streams.
Conservation Status
IUCN: Near threatened
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule II
In News
Three Eurasian Otters were recently spotted in the Neeru stream of the Chenab catchment in Jammu and Kashmir.
About
◾️Eurasian Otter is a semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal.
◾️Scientific Name: Lutra lutra
It has one of the widest distributions of all Palaearctic mammals.
◾️Its range covers parts of three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa.
In India, it occurs in northern, northeast, and southern India.
◾️It lives in a wide variety of aquatic habitats, including highland and lowland lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, swamp forests, and coastal areas.
◾️In the Indian sub-continent, Eurasian otters occur in cold hill and mountain streams.
Conservation Status
IUCN: Near threatened
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule II
🔘NEW SPECIES OF GECKO
In News
Scientists have discovered a new species of ground-dwelling gecko.
About
◾️The Chengodumala or Coastal Kerala Geckoella is a small, nocturnal species found among leaf litter and rocks in forests, orchards and other areas with canopy cover in north Kerala.
◾️The gecko is known from scattered localities a maximum of 120 km apart in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, and Thrissur districts
In News
Scientists have discovered a new species of ground-dwelling gecko.
About
◾️The Chengodumala or Coastal Kerala Geckoella is a small, nocturnal species found among leaf litter and rocks in forests, orchards and other areas with canopy cover in north Kerala.
◾️The gecko is known from scattered localities a maximum of 120 km apart in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, and Thrissur districts
🔘Himalayan Gray Langur
In News
According to a study, changes in altitude make the Himalayan Gray Langur – a primate species – pick between flowers and fruits as dietary options beyond usual leaves in the same Himalayan habitat.
About
The Himalayan Gray Langur or the Chamba Sacred Langur (Semnopithecus ajax) is a colobine (leaf-eating monkey) and is an Endangered species globally on the IUCN Red List.
They inhabit areas between 2,200-4,000 metres and in the Indian Subcontinent, their distribution is reported from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and from Pakistan and Nepal.
In News
According to a study, changes in altitude make the Himalayan Gray Langur – a primate species – pick between flowers and fruits as dietary options beyond usual leaves in the same Himalayan habitat.
About
The Himalayan Gray Langur or the Chamba Sacred Langur (Semnopithecus ajax) is a colobine (leaf-eating monkey) and is an Endangered species globally on the IUCN Red List.
They inhabit areas between 2,200-4,000 metres and in the Indian Subcontinent, their distribution is reported from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and from Pakistan and Nepal.
🔘Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR)
Report of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) water hole census has been released recently, and a total of 374 animals from 18 wild species of animals and birds were recorded.
◾️Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) is located in the Sahyadri Ranges of Western Ghats in Maharashtra.
◾️It combines the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and the Chandoli National Park in the southern part of Maharashtra.
◾️The region of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve includes the area around the Koyna Dam, Warna River and many other small rivers and streams originating from the Western Ghats and flowing to the east.
◾️Vegetation: Evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests.
◾️The habitat of Sahyadri is composed of woodlands, grasslands and plateau, the latter locally referred to as “Sadaa”, which are lateritic in nature with considerable habitat value.
◾️The Tiger Reserve is home to the endangered species of top carnivores such as the Tiger, Wild dog, and Leopard.
Report of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) water hole census has been released recently, and a total of 374 animals from 18 wild species of animals and birds were recorded.
◾️Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) is located in the Sahyadri Ranges of Western Ghats in Maharashtra.
◾️It combines the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and the Chandoli National Park in the southern part of Maharashtra.
◾️The region of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve includes the area around the Koyna Dam, Warna River and many other small rivers and streams originating from the Western Ghats and flowing to the east.
◾️Vegetation: Evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests.
◾️The habitat of Sahyadri is composed of woodlands, grasslands and plateau, the latter locally referred to as “Sadaa”, which are lateritic in nature with considerable habitat value.
◾️The Tiger Reserve is home to the endangered species of top carnivores such as the Tiger, Wild dog, and Leopard.
🔘Allegator Gar
In News
The Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) recently discovered a rare type of fish known as a “Alligator Gar” for the first time in Srinagar’s Dal Lake.
About
◾️Allegator Gar is a ray-finned euryhaline fish and is one of the largest of all freshwater fishes.
◾️Scientific Name: Atractosteus spatula.
◾️It is the largest species in the Gar family.
◾️The fossil record traces its group’s existence back to the Early Cretaceous over 100 million years ago.
◾️Gars are often referred to as “primitive fishes”, or “living fossils” because they have retained some morphological characteristics of their early ancestors.
◾️It is distinguished by its crocodile-like head and razor-sharp teeth.
◾️Colouration is generally brown or olive above and lighter underneath.
Conservation Status
IUCN: Least Concerned
In News
The Jammu and Kashmir Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) recently discovered a rare type of fish known as a “Alligator Gar” for the first time in Srinagar’s Dal Lake.
About
◾️Allegator Gar is a ray-finned euryhaline fish and is one of the largest of all freshwater fishes.
◾️Scientific Name: Atractosteus spatula.
◾️It is the largest species in the Gar family.
◾️The fossil record traces its group’s existence back to the Early Cretaceous over 100 million years ago.
◾️Gars are often referred to as “primitive fishes”, or “living fossils” because they have retained some morphological characteristics of their early ancestors.
◾️It is distinguished by its crocodile-like head and razor-sharp teeth.
◾️Colouration is generally brown or olive above and lighter underneath.
Conservation Status
IUCN: Least Concerned
🔘Red-Crowned Roofed turtle
In News
India has proposed to protect the Red-Crowned Roofed turtle at the 19th Conference of the Parties to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) in Panama.
About
◾️Red Crowned Roofed Turtle is one of the 24 species endemic to India, is characterised by the bright colours such as red, yellow, white and blue on the faces and necks of the males.
◾️Scientific Name: Batagur kachuga.
◾️Common Names: Bengal roof turtle, Red-crowned roofed turtle.
Conservation Status
◾️The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: Critically Endangered
◾️Wildlife Protection Act (WPA): Schedule I
◾️CITES : Appendix II
In News
India has proposed to protect the Red-Crowned Roofed turtle at the 19th Conference of the Parties to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) in Panama.
About
◾️Red Crowned Roofed Turtle is one of the 24 species endemic to India, is characterised by the bright colours such as red, yellow, white and blue on the faces and necks of the males.
◾️Scientific Name: Batagur kachuga.
◾️Common Names: Bengal roof turtle, Red-crowned roofed turtle.
Conservation Status
◾️The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: Critically Endangered
◾️Wildlife Protection Act (WPA): Schedule I
◾️CITES : Appendix II
🔘Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR)
Report of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) water hole census has been released recently, and a total of 374 animals from 18 wild species of animals and birds were recorded.
◾️Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) is located in the Sahyadri Ranges of Western Ghats in Maharashtra.
◾️It combines the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and the Chandoli National Park in the southern part of Maharashtra.
◾️The region of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve includes the area around the Koyna Dam, Warna River and many other small rivers and streams originating from the Western Ghats and flowing to the east.
◾️Vegetation: Evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests.
◾️The habitat of Sahyadri is composed of woodlands, grasslands and plateau, the latter locally referred to as “Sadaa”, which are lateritic in nature with considerable habitat value.
◾️The Tiger Reserve is home to the endangered species of top carnivores such as the Tiger, Wild dog, and Leopard.
Report of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) water hole census has been released recently, and a total of 374 animals from 18 wild species of animals and birds were recorded.
◾️Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) is located in the Sahyadri Ranges of Western Ghats in Maharashtra.
◾️It combines the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and the Chandoli National Park in the southern part of Maharashtra.
◾️The region of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve includes the area around the Koyna Dam, Warna River and many other small rivers and streams originating from the Western Ghats and flowing to the east.
◾️Vegetation: Evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests.
◾️The habitat of Sahyadri is composed of woodlands, grasslands and plateau, the latter locally referred to as “Sadaa”, which are lateritic in nature with considerable habitat value.
◾️The Tiger Reserve is home to the endangered species of top carnivores such as the Tiger, Wild dog, and Leopard.
🔘Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve
In News
A tigress has recently given birth to four cubs in the Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) in Maharashtra’s Gondia district.
About
◾️Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) is situated in Gondia and Shandara Districts of Maharashtra.
◾️It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1970.
◾️ In 2012, state government announced to merging this sanctuary with another national park to include in Tiger Project, now called as Nagzira Navegoan Tiger Reserve.
◾️It comprises Nawegaon National Park, Nawegaon Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary.
◾️It is connected with many surrounding tiger reserves like Pench, Kanha, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Indravati Tiger Reserve etc.
◾️The topography is undulating, and the highest point viz. ‘Zenda Pahad’ is around 702 m above Mean Sea Level.
In News
A tigress has recently given birth to four cubs in the Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) in Maharashtra’s Gondia district.
About
◾️Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) is situated in Gondia and Shandara Districts of Maharashtra.
◾️It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1970.
◾️ In 2012, state government announced to merging this sanctuary with another national park to include in Tiger Project, now called as Nagzira Navegoan Tiger Reserve.
◾️It comprises Nawegaon National Park, Nawegaon Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, New Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary and Koka Wildlife Sanctuary.
◾️It is connected with many surrounding tiger reserves like Pench, Kanha, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Indravati Tiger Reserve etc.
◾️The topography is undulating, and the highest point viz. ‘Zenda Pahad’ is around 702 m above Mean Sea Level.
🔘Gomphonema Rajaguruii
In News
Researchers at the Pune-based Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) recently discovered a new species named Gomphonema rajaguruii from the northern Western Ghats.
About
◾️It is a new freshwater diatom species.
◾️It was found in a semi-aquatic environment along the wet walls in Maharashtra’s popular hill station, Mahabaleshwar in Satara District.
◾️It was named after a veteran geo-archaeologist from the city, the late Professor S N Rajaguru.
◾️It is unique because it shows the characteristics of two genus – Gomphonema and Gomphoneis.
◾️Diatoms is a photosynthetic, single celled organism.
◾️They are a major group of algae and form one of the most common forms of phytoplankton.
◾️They are found in almost every aquatic environment including fresh and marine waters.
◾️Diatoms have cell walls made of silica, Each species has a distinct pattern of tiny holes in the cell wall (frustule) through which they absorb nutrients and get rid of waste
In News
Researchers at the Pune-based Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) recently discovered a new species named Gomphonema rajaguruii from the northern Western Ghats.
About
◾️It is a new freshwater diatom species.
◾️It was found in a semi-aquatic environment along the wet walls in Maharashtra’s popular hill station, Mahabaleshwar in Satara District.
◾️It was named after a veteran geo-archaeologist from the city, the late Professor S N Rajaguru.
◾️It is unique because it shows the characteristics of two genus – Gomphonema and Gomphoneis.
◾️Diatoms is a photosynthetic, single celled organism.
◾️They are a major group of algae and form one of the most common forms of phytoplankton.
◾️They are found in almost every aquatic environment including fresh and marine waters.
◾️Diatoms have cell walls made of silica, Each species has a distinct pattern of tiny holes in the cell wall (frustule) through which they absorb nutrients and get rid of waste