Why in the News?
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) chaired by Union Environment Minister has recommended reinstating the Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Back2Basics: Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Objective: Provides legal protection to species requiring conservation monitoring but not critically endangered.
- Protection Scope: Hunting, capture, or trade prohibited except under extraordinary conditions such as disease or threat to human life.
- Legal Provision: Section 11 authorises Chief Wildlife Wardens to grant permissions for justified exceptions.
- Penalties: Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine up to âš25,000, or both; slightly lower than Schedule I provisions.
- Species Included: Assamese macaque, Indian fox, Himalayan black bear, Indian cobra, large Indian civet, etc.
- Distinction from Schedule I: Offers near-equivalent protection but allows limited regulation and control measures.
- Authority: Central Government empowered under Section 61 to amend species inclusion or exclusion
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About Rhesus Macaque:
- Scientific Name: Macaca mulatta, a species of Old World monkey native to South, Central, and Southeast Asia.
- Distribution: Widest-ranging non-human primate, found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, and Afghanistan.
- Physical Traits: Brown or grey fur; body length 47â53 cm, tail 20â23 cm, weight 5â8 kg; strong sexual dimorphism.
- Habitat: Highly adaptable; lives in forests, grasslands, riverine zones, agricultural lands, and even urban settlements.
- Behaviour: Diurnal, semi-terrestrial, and social; organised in matrilineal troops (20â200 members) with complex vocal and gestural communication.
- Diet: Omnivorous, feeds on fruits, seeds, roots, cereals, and occasionally invertebrates; uses cheek pouches for temporary food storage.
- IUCN Status: Least Concern, due to wide distribution and high adaptability.
- Legal Reclassification: Previously listed under Schedule II of the WPA, 1972, offering stringent protection against hunting, cruelty, illegal trade, and exploitation. After the 2022 amendments, it was shifted to Schedule IV (mid-level protection category with lesser punishments).
- Scientific Relevance: Extensively used in biomedical research, instrumental in developing polio, rabies, smallpox vaccines, and in HIV/AIDS and neuroscience studies.
- Human Conflict: Increasing crop raids, urban aggression, and food theft; declared vermin in Himachal Pradesh (2019) for selective culling in non-forest zones.
How is the Culling of Vermin allowed in India?
- Definition: Animals declared harmful or nuisance-causing, legally permitted for hunting to safeguard life, crops, or property.
- Legal Provision: Section 62 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 empowers the Central Government to declare species (excluding Schedule I) as vermin for specific regions and timeframes.
- Earlier Classification: Schedule V (pre-2022) listed vermins such as rats, fruit bats, and common crows.
- 2022 Amendment: Schedule V removed; Centre can now issue direct notifications declaring vermin status.
- Declaration Process:
- State government submits request citing local damage or risk.
- MoEFCC evaluates ecological and administrative justification.
- Centre issues notification for specified region and duration.
- Examples:
- Wild boar (Uttarakhand, Kerala, Goa)
- Nilgai (Bihar, Uttar Pradesh)
- Rhesus macaque (Himachal Pradesh, 2019)
- Fruit bats and crows (select farming regions)
- Legal Consequence: Once notified, the species loses protection, and hunting incurs no penalty during the declared period.
- Ecological and Ethical Concerns: Risks of ecosystem imbalance and animal cruelty; experts advocate contraception, relocation, and scientific management instead.
[UPSC 2022] If a particular plant species is placed under Schedule VI of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, what is the implication?
Options: (a) A licence is required to cultivate that plant. *
(b) Such a plant cannot be cultivated under any circumstances.
(c) It is a Genetically Modified crop plant.
(d) Such a plant is invasive and harmful to the ecosystem. |
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Why in the News?
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has successfully removed Senna spectabilis, a highly invasive tree species, from 1,963 hectares of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR).
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
- Location: Situated in Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, at the tri-junction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
- Area: Covers 321 sq. km, forming part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Indiaâs first biosphere reserve.
- Terrain: Undulating landscape ranging from 960â1266 m elevation.
- Rivers: The Moyar River flows through the reserve, supporting rich biodiversity.
- Vegetation: Includes evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forests, teak, bamboo, and grasslands (vayals).
- Flora: Contains wild relatives of cultivated plants like rice, turmeric, and ginger.
- Fauna: Home to tigers, elephants, gaurs, sambars, leopards, blackbucks, wild dogs, and 8% of Indiaâs bird species.
- Boundaries: Shares borders with Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala).
- Cultural Note: The Oscar-winning documentary âThe Elephant Whisperersâ was filmed at the Theppakadu Elephant Camp inside MTR.
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About Senna spectabilis:
- Origin: A fast-growing deciduous tree native to tropical America, introduced in India as an ornamental and shade plant.
- Issues: Reaches 15â20 metres, produces thousands of seeds annually, spreading rapidly.
- Invasive Impact: Dense canopy suppresses native trees and grasses, causes food scarcity for herbivores, and reduces biodiversity.
- IUCN Status: Listed as âLeast Concernâ but ecologically harmful in Indian forests.
How was the eradication achieved?
- Method: Threefold strategy- debarking mature trees, uprooting saplings with weed pullers, and mechanically clearing seedlings.
- Duration: Large trees dry up in about 18 months after debarking.
- Post-Removal Use: Felled trees used for paper production.
- Objective: Restore native flora, improve wildlife forage, and ensure long-term ecosystem recovery.
| [UPSC 2018] Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news?
Options: (a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.
(b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows. *
(c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.
(d) None of the above. |
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Why in the News?
The IUCN has separately evaluated the Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) from the gray wolf, suggesting it may be recognised as a distinct Canis species.
About Indian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes):
- Overview: Also called the Peninsular Wolf or Indian Grey Wolf; proposed as Canis indica owing to genetic divergence 110,000â200,000 years ago.
- Distinct Lineage: Genomic studies identify it as the oldest surviving wolf lineage, basal to all other Canis lupus subspecies.
- Distribution: Found across Deccan Plateau, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, extending into Pakistan and Iran; only 12.4 % of its range lies inside protected areas.
- Population Status (2025): Estimated 2,877â3,310 individuals (IUCN Red List 2025) â classified as Vulnerable.
- Legal Protection: Listed in *Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, prohibiting hunting, trapping, or killing <citation needed>.
- Habitat: Prefers scrublands, dry grasslands, and thorn forests, increasingly threatened by agriculture, solar projects, and highways.
- Ecological Role: Functions as a top predator regulating prey such as blackbuck, chinkara, hares, and rodents in Indiaâs open ecosystems.
- Social Behaviour: Lives in packs of 6-8 members, exhibiting cooperative hunting and silent coordination strategies.
Evolutionary and Taxonomic Significance:
- Early Divergence: Fossil and genetic data show divergence from Eurasian and Himalayan wolves well before the last Ice Age, evolving within Indiaâs semi-arid zones.
- Evolutionary Importance: Serves as a key model for studying wolf evolution, adaptation, and behaviour in tropical and dry environments.
- Taxonomic Debate: Researchers propose recognition as a distinct species (Canis indica) based on unique genetic, ecological, and behavioural traits.
| [UPSC 2024] Question: Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the “vermin” category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
Statement-II: The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Options: (a) Both statement I and Statement II are correct and statement II explains statement I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
(c) Staement- I is correct , but Statement II is incorrect*
(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct |
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Why in the News?
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) released its report âStatus of Elephants in Indiaâ on October 14, 2025, marking the countryâs first-ever DNA-based elephant population estimation.
Elephants in India:
- Overview: Elephas maximus, Asian Elephant, listed as Endangered (IUCN); protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and Appendix I of CITES.
- National Importance: India sustains over 60 % of the global wild Asian elephant population, making it a global conservation stronghold.
- Conservation Framework:
- Project Elephant (1992) â habitat protection, research, corridor restoration, and conflict management.
- Elephant Reserves â 33 notified across 15 states, covering ~80,000 sq km.
- Corridor Initiatives â joint mapping of ~101 corridors by WII, WWF-India, and WTI to ensure genetic connectivity.
- Major Landscapes:
- Western Ghats â dense forests with corridor fragmentation.
- North-Eastern Hills â contiguous habitats under human pressure.
- Central India & Eastern Ghats â isolated herds with high conflict.
- ShivalikâGangetic Plains â corridor bottlenecks amid dense settlements.
- Ecological Role: Elephants act as ecosystem engineers, dispersing seeds, maintaining forestâgrassland balance, and regulating hydrology.
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About Status of Elephants in India Report (2025):
- Publisher & Framework: Released by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under Project Elephant. It employs, for the first time in India, a DNA-based markârecapture (genetic) estimation method for elephant census.
- Census Period & Title: Conducted between 2021â2025, termed the Synchronous All-India Population Estimation of Elephants (SAIEE 2021-25).
- Feature: Combines genetic sampling, field transects, and spatial-captureârecapture modelling.
- Scientific Advancement: Establishes Indiaâs first genetic reference library for elephants, linking individuals, herds, and landscapes for improved long-term monitoring.
- Policy Context: Conducted under Project Elephant (1992) to align with national targets for corridor protection, conflict mitigation, and ecosystem restoration.
Key Highlights:
- Total Population (2025): 22,446 wild Asian elephants estimated nationwide using genetic data.
- Previous Estimate (2017): About 29,964; apparent ~25 % drop due to new methodology rather than actual decline.
- Regional Distribution:
- Western Ghats Landscape: 11,934 (â 53 %)
- North-East & Brahmaputra Plains: 6,559 (â 22 %)
- Shivalik Hills & Gangetic Plains: 2,062 (â 9 %)
- Central India & Eastern Ghats: 1,891 (â 8 %)
- State-wise Concentration: Karnataka (6,013), Assam (4,159), Tamil Nadu (3,136), Kerala (2,785), Uttarakhand (1,792), Odisha (912).
- Demographic Insights: DNA profiling enabled sex ratio identification, family linkages, and migration-corridor tracking, turning a static census into a dynamic population map.
- Conservation Implications: WII urges genetic recensuses every 5 years, restoration of identified corridors, and integration of coexistence models in land-use planning.
| [UPSC 2020] With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:
1. The leader of an elephant group is a female.
2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.
3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.
4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only * (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only |
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Why in the News?
Chhattisgarh launched a five-year Blackbuck Reintroduction Plan (2021â2026) at Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary to revive the species after 50 years of local extinction.
Blackbucks have vanished from Chhattisgarh by the 1970s, primarily due to poaching, habitat loss, and grassland encroachment.
About the Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra):
- Habitat: Native to India and Nepal, commonly found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.
- Physical Traits: Medium-sized antelope with males having spiral horns and black coats; known as the fastest land mammal in India.
- Behaviour: Diurnal grazer that thrives in open plains and grasslands.
- Ecological Role: Serves as an indicator species for grassland ecosystem health.
- State Animal: Designated as the State Animal of Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Cultural Symbolism: Represents purity in Hinduism and good fortune in Buddhism.
- Legal Protection:
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I.
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
- CITES: Appendix III.
| [UPSC 2017] In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?
Options: (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger. *
(b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and how it is impossible to prevent its extinction.
(c) It is endemic to a particular region of India.
(d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context. |
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Why in the News?
In the latest State of Indiaâs Birds (SoIB) 2025 report and IUCN assessment, four bird species dependent on these ecosystems have been uplisted, reflecting alarming habitat loss and population decline.
Bird Species Uplisted by IUCN:
- Indian Courser (Cursorius coromandelicus):
- Endemic to the Indian Subcontinent.
- Uplisted from Least Concern â Near Threatened due to loss of grasslands and fallow land.
- Indian Roller (Coracias benghalensis): Uplisted to Near Threatened; impacted by habitat conversion and electrocution from power lines.
- Rufous-tailed Lark (Ammomanes phoenicura): Uplisted to Near Threatened; declining due to intensive agriculture and land-use change.
- Long-billed Grasshopper-Warbler (Locustella major): Uplisted to Endangered; severely impacted by loss of reedbeds and open scrub habitat.
About State of Indiaâs Birds (SoIB) Assessment:
- Overview: SoIB is conducted by the State of Indiaâs Birds Partnership, a consortium of 13 government and non-government institutions, including BNHS, WII, ZSI, SACON, WTI, WWF-India, ATREE, NCF, FES, Wetlands International â South Asia, NCBS, and NBA.
- Coverage: Of 1,360 bird species assessed globally, 12 species were from India.
- Findings:
- 8 species downlisted (showing improved conservation trends).
- 4 species uplisted, highlighting heightened risk of extinction.
- The report underscores the fragility of Indiaâs open-country habitats, which support a unique but shrinking avifaunal diversity.
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Why in the News?
A new Stanford University-led study has revealed that the Snow Leopard has the lowest genetic diversity among all big cats, even lower than the Cheetah.
About Snow Leopard:
- Overview: Also called the âghost of the mountainsâ; Belongs to the genus Panthera but genetically distinct from tigers and leopards, with unique adaptations for alpine life.
- Physical Features: Thick pale-gray fur with rosettes, powerful hind limbs, and a long, muscular tail that aids balance and warmth.
- Habitat: Found at altitudes between 3,000â5,500 metres, thriving in rugged, snow-covered mountain ranges and alpine meadows.
- Geographical Distribution:
- In India: Present in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Jammu & Kashmir.
- Globally: Distributed across Central and South Asian mountain systems, including the Himalayas, Pamirs, and Tien Shan.
- Population Status:
- Global estimate: 4,500â7,500 individuals.
- India: Approximately 718 individuals, representing 10â15% of the global total.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I
- National Conservation Measures:
- Project Snow Leopard (2009): Integrates community participation in Himalayan conservation.
- SECURE Himalaya Project (GEFâUNDP): Focuses on sustainable ecosystem management.
- Himalaya Sanrakshak (2020): Enlists local guardians for high-altitude habitats.
- National Protocol on Population Assessment (2019):Â Ensures standardized monitoring.
Ecological Significance:
- Apex Predator Role: Serves as the top carnivore in the Himalayan and Central Asian alpine ecosystems, maintaining the balance between herbivores like blue sheep, ibex, and argali.
- Indicator of Ecosystem Health: Its presence reflects ecosystem integrity, as it thrives only in undisturbed, well-connected, prey-rich habitats.
- Climate Regulation: Snow leopard landscapes, glaciers, permafrost zones, and alpine grasslands, act as major carbon sinks and regulate water flows to nearly two billion people across Asia.
- Biodiversity Link: By controlling herbivore populations, it prevents overgrazing, thus preserving alpine vegetation and soil stability.
- Cultural and Economic Value: Revered in Himalayan folklore and central to eco-tourism-based livelihoods, symbolizing coexistence between humans and nature.
- Transboundary Importance: Its habitat spans across 12 range countries, making it a flagship species for international cooperation under the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP).
| [UPSC 2012] Consider the following:
1. Black-necked crane 2. Cheetah 3. Flying squirrel 4. Snow leopard
Which of the above are naturally found in India? Options: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only* (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
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Why in the News?
Researchers have discovered a new species of perennial herb Chlorophytum vanapushpam from the Vagamon hills of Idukki district, Kerala.
About Chlorophytum vanapushpam:
- Discovery & Location: Newly discovered perennial herb of the Asparagaceae family, identified in Vagamon and Neymakkad hills (Idukki, Kerala) within the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.
- Name & Meaning: âVanamâ (forest) + âPushpamâ (flower) = forest flower.
- Publication & Context: Reported in Phytotaxa, reaffirming the Western Ghats as the centre of origin for the Chlorophytum genus (18 Indian species).
- Related Species: Closely allied to C. borivilianum (safed musli) but differs in form and lacks underground tubers.
Key Features:
- Growth Form: Herb up to 90 cm tall, clinging to rocky hill slopes.
- Habitat & Range: Found between 700 m â 2,124 m elevation in moist, rocky terrains.
- Leaves & Flowers: Slender, grass-like leaves; white clustered blossoms.
- Reproduction: Seeds 4â5 mm; flowering and fruiting SepâDec.
| [UPSC 2016] Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 metres and has orange-coloured fruit pulp.
In which part of India has it been discovered?
Options: (a) Andaman Islands * (b) Anaimalai Forests (c) Maikala Hills (d) Tropical rain forests of northeast |
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Why in the News?
ICAR- National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) researchers in Kochi have discovered a new finless snake eel species, Apterichtus kanniyakumari, named after Kanniyakumari district.
About Finless Snake Eel (Apterichtus kanniyakumari):
- Location: Discovered off the Colachel coast, Kanniyakumari (Tamil Nadu), at ~100 m depth during deep-sea trawling.
- Etymology: Named kanniyakumari in honour of the districtâs cultural, linguistic, historical, and geographical heritage.
- Taxonomy: Belongs to the genus Apterichtus, family Ophichthidae, commonly known as finless snake eels.
- Morphological traits: Golden-yellow body, pale white ventral head with yellow jaw lines, three black blotches (behind eyes, at rictus, behind rictus origin), conical uniserial teeth, 3 preopercular & 9 supratemporal pores.
- Molecular confirmation: Mitochondrial CO1 gene analysis shows it as a distinct clade, closely related to Apterichtus nanjilnaduensis.
- Significance: Marks the 16th new species described from the Indian coast by NBFGR; adds to Indiaâs marine biodiversity records.
| [UPSC 2016] Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 meters and has orange coloured fruit pulp. In which part of India has it been discovered?
(a) Andaman Islands *
(b) Anaimalai Forests
(c) Maikala Hills
(d) Tropical rain forests of northeast |
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Why in the News?
A groundbreaking study published in Nature (2025) has revealed that Messor ibericus, a Mediterranean harvester ant species, can produce male offspring of a completely different species, Messor structor.
About the Specie Messor ibericus:
- Overview: A Mediterranean harvester ant, widely distributed across Southern Europe, known for its grain-harvesting behaviour and large colonies.
- Hybrid Workers: All workers are hybrids, carrying DNA from both Messor ibericus and Messor structor.
- Cross-Species Male Production: About 10% of queenâs eggs develop into pure Messor structor males, even without nearby structor colonies.
- Genetic Signature: These males retain Messor ibericus mitochondrial DNA, proving maternal origin.
- Reproductive Strategy: As per the Nature study:
- Ibericus sperm produces new queens.
- Structor sperm produces hybrid workers and additional structor males.
- Evolutionary Significance: First documented case of a species naturally producing offspring of another species, challenging classical species concepts.
- Colony Advantage: By producing both hybrid workers and pure structor males, queens secure compatible mates for future generations, sustaining both lineages.
| [UPSC 2024] Which one of the following shows a unique relationship with an insect that has coevolved with it and that is the only insect that can pollinate this tree?
Options:
(a) Fig* (b) Mahua (c) Sandalwood (d) Silk cotton |
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Why in the News?
Researchers at JNTBGRI has developed a multifunctional wound-healing pad using nanomaterials, inspired by the red ivy plant (Strobilanthes alternata), traditionally used in folk medicine.
About the Red Ivy Plant:
- Overview: Strobilanthes alternata, locally called murikooti pacha, belonging to the Acanthaceae family.
- Habitat: Found abundantly in tropical regions, including India.
- Traditional Use: Used in folk medicine for treating cuts and wounds.
- Scientific Discovery: JNTBGRI, Palode isolated acteoside, a natural bioactive compound, for the first time in this plant.
- Therapeutic Use: Acteoside, known elsewhere for medicinal activity, showed high wound-healing efficacy at 0.2% concentration in red ivy.
Features of the Wound-Healing Pad:
- Design: Indiaâs first multifunctional herbal wound dressing pad, combining traditional knowledge with nanotechnology.
- Components: Electro-spun nanofiber layer (biodegradable, porous, antimicrobial barrier); Acteoside + neomycin sulfate blend (healing and infection control); Sodium alginate sponge (absorbs exudates); Activated carbon layer (controls odour).
- Significance: Affordable, scalable, and a model of herbal medicine integrated with modern nanotech innovation.
| [UPSC 2021] Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?
Options:
(a) Congress grass (b) Elephant grass (c) Lemongrass* (d) Nut grass |
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Why in the News?
Vultures, vital for carcass disposal and disease control, are key to pandemic preparedness.
About Vulture Species in India:
- Overview: Vultures are among 22 global species of large scavenger birds, found mostly in tropics and subtropics.
- Ecological Role: Serve as natureâs garbage collectors, preventing disease spread and maintaining balance in ecosystems.
- Indian Diversity: India hosts 9 species â Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous, and Eurasian Griffon.
Distribution and Population Trends:
- Historic Abundance: In the 1980s, India had over 40 million vultures, often in large groups near carcass dumps.
- Population Crash: Since the 1990s, numbers have declined by over 95%, mainly due to diclofenac poisoning from veterinary use.
- Flyway Connection: Vultures are part of the Central Asian Flyway (CAF), linking breeding sites in Central Asia with South Asiaâs wintering zones.
- Global Relevance: The CAF spans 30+ countries, making vulture conservation a regional and international public health concern.
Vultures and Pandemic Preparedness:
- Carcass Disposal: By consuming dead animals, vultures stop spread of pathogens such as anthrax, Clostridium botulinum, rabies.
- Bio-Monitor Role: As first responders at carcasses, they act as natural surveillance systems, reducing risks of zoonotic spillover.
- Conservation Gap: Protection of vultures is rarely included in One Health strategies, despite being low-cost compared to pandemic response.
- Community Involvement: Local communities coexisting with vultures can aid in awareness, conservation, and disease monitoring, but remain underutilised.
| [UPSC 2012] Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to:
(a) the destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species disease among them
(b) a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle persistent and fatal*
(c) scarcity of food available to them
(d) a widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them |
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Why in the News?
A new study in the Journal of Comparative Psychology documents rare instances of Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) sharing freshly killed prey with humans.
About Killer Whales (Orcinus orca):
- Overview: Largest member of the dolphin family (Delphinidae), often called âwolves of the seaâ.
- Apex predators: At the top of the marine food chain.
- Physical traits:
- Black dorsal side, white underside, distinctive eye patch, saddle patch behind dorsal fin.
- Can grow up to 9 m, weigh over 5,000 kg, and swim up to 54 km/hr.
- Social structure: Live in pods led by a matriarch; highly coordinated hunters using complex tactics.
- Distribution: Found in all oceans worldwide, from polar to tropical seas, in both open and coastal waters.
- IUCN â Data Deficient: But many regional populations face threats from climate change, prey decline, and pollution.
Why do they offer their fresh prey to humans?
- Study Findings (2004â2024):
- Killer whales were observed offering whole prey to humans (fish, birds, mammals, etc.) in multiple oceans.
- In most cases, they waited for a human response before reclaiming or abandoning prey.
- Possible Reasons:
- Exploration/Curiosity: Reflects their advanced cognition and social curiosity; a way to learn about humans.
- Prosocial Behaviour: They are among the few species that share food within and outside their groups.
- Play Theory Rejected: Behaviour not limited to juveniles; adults also involved, often with whole prey.
- Scientific Thinking Analogy: Behaviour resembles âasking questionsâ and testing human reactions â a form of exploratory intelligence.
- Machiavellian Behaviour: Could sometimes be manipulative, as killer whales are known to steal fish and disrupt vessels.
| [UPSC 2023] Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood?
Options: (a) Fishing cat (b) Orangutan * (c) Otter (d) Sloth bear |
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Why in the News?
Odonatologists have reconfirmed the presence of the elusive dragonfly species Crocothemis erythraea in the southern Western Ghats.
About Crocothemis erythraea Dragonfly:
- Species Type: A rare dragonfly species, usually found in Europe, Asia, and the Himalayas.
- Recent Finding: Reconfirmed in the Western Ghats, specifically in Kerala and Tamil Nadu high ranges.
- Comparison: Closely resembles the common lowland species Crocothemis servilia, leading to earlier misidentifications.
- Habitat Preference: Inhabits cooler, high-altitude areas above 550 metres.
- Historical Origin: Likely spread to South India during the Ice Age and survived in montane habitats such as Sholas and grasslands.
Significance of the Discovery:
- Biodiversity Insight: Demonstrates how ancient climate changes influenced current biodiversity patterns.
- Ecological Importance: Reinforces the Western Ghatsâ status as a biodiversity hotspot of global value.
- Conservation Message: Highlights the need to protect sensitive high-altitude habitats like Sholas and montane grasslands.
- Scientific Contribution: Adds to Indiaâs growing record of documenting and conserving rare species.
| [UPSC 2024] The organisms Cicada, Froghopper and Pond skater are:
Options: (a) Birds (b) Fish (c) Insects* (d) Reptiles |
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Why in the News?
A 2025 survey by the West Bengal Forest Department shows an increase in saltwater crocodile population in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (SBR).
About Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus):
- Largest living reptile and the largest of all crocodilians.
- Males grow much larger than females; females usually 2.5â3 m in length.
- Habitat: mangrove forests, swamps, rivers, and coastal waters; tolerant of varying salinity.
- Distribution in India: Odisha, West Bengal (Sundarbans), Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Behaviour: Apex predator, feeds on carcasses and diverse prey; communicates through barks, hisses, growls, chirps.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern.
- CITES: Appendix I (except populations of Australia, Indonesia, PNG â Appendix II).
- Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule I.
- Conservation Efforts: Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project (1976, West Bengal) â breeding and conservation programme; 577 crocodiles released till 2022.
Other Crocodile Species in India:
- Gharial: Critically Endangered; survives in only 2% of former range; Found in small stretches of Chambal and a few other rivers.
- Mugger/Marsh Crocodile: Vulnerable; found in freshwater lakes, rivers, marshes.
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Why in the News?
A palm specie âPhoenix roxburghiiâ first described in the 17th-century botanical treatise Hortus Malabaricus has been recently confirmed.
About Phoenix roxburghii:
- Origin: Named after William Roxburgh, regarded as the father of Indian Botany.
- Distribution: Found along Indiaâs eastern coast, Bangladesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Pakistan.
- Height: Grows up to 12â16 metres, taller than Phoenix sylvestris.
- Distinct Features:
- Solitary trunk
- Larger leaves and leaflets
- Musty-scented staminate flowers
- Large, obovoid orange-yellow fruits
Back2Basics: Indiaâs Oil Palm Scenario
- National Mission on Edible Oils â Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) (2021): Centrally sponsored, aims to boost domestic crude palm oil (CPO) production and reduce import dependence.
- Targets:
- Expand area to 10 lakh ha by 2025â26.
- Raise production from 0.27 lakh tonnes (2019â20) to 11.2 lakh tonnes (2025â26), further to 28 lakh tonnes (2029â30).
- Support Mechanisms: Viability Price (VP), Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), planting subsidy (âš29,000/ha), and special aid for NE & Andaman regions.
- Cultivation States: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala (98% of output); others include Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Gujarat, and NE states.
- Potential vs Current: 28 lakh ha potential; only 3.7 lakh ha cultivated.
- Imports: India is the worldâs largest palm oil importer (9.2 million tonnes in 2023â24). Palm oil forms 60% of edible oil imports, sourced mainly from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
- Unique Advantage: Palm oil yields are 5Ă higher than traditional oilseeds.
| [UPSC 2021] With reference to ‘palm oil,’ consider the following statements:
1. The palm oil tree is native to Southeast Asia.
2. Palm oil is a raw material for some industries producing lipstick and perfumes.
3. Palm oil can be used to produce biodiesel.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only* (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, and 3 |
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Why in the News?
The Social Forestry Department of Vadodara rescued an Albino Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata) from a freshwater lake in Chikhodra, Gujarat.
About Indian Flapshell Turtle (Lissemys punctata):
- Type: Small, freshwater softshell turtle native to South Asia
- Unique Feature: Named for femoral flaps on the plastron that cover the limbs when retracted
- Geographic Range: Found in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar
- River Systems: Occurs in the Indus, Ganges, Irrawaddy, and Salween basins
- Habitat: Prefers shallow, quiet freshwater bodies like rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes, tanks, and canals with muddy or sandy bottoms for burrowing
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES Listing: Appendix II
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I (maximum protection)
- Major Threats:
- Poaching for meat, blood-based potions, aphrodisiacs, and traditional medicine
- Illegal trade for fishing bait, livestock feed, leather, and exotic pets
- Habitat loss due to pollution, encroachment, and waterbody destruction
- Albino individuals especially targeted in the illegal pet market
| [UPSC 2013] Consider the following fauna of India:
1. Gharial 2. Leatherback turtle 3. Swamp deer
Which of the above is/are endangered?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3* (d) None |
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Why in the News?
In a move to combat rhino poaching, the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has launched the Rhisotope Project.
What is Rhisotope Project?Â
- Launched By: University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
- Initiation: Concept began in 2021; formally launched in July 2024.
- Objective: Prevent rhino poaching by making horns traceable and unsuitable for illegal trade.
- Pilot Site: Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, South Africa.
- Pilot Implementation: 20 rhinos injected with radioisotopes (exact isotope remains undisclosed) for testing.
How the Isotope Tagging Works?
- Isotope Basics: Uses radioactive isotopes that emit detectable radiation as they decay.
- Injection Method: A small hole is drilled into the horn; a low dose of isotope is inserted safely.
- Detection Mechanism: Radiation Portal Monitors at ports can detect tagged hornsâeven inside 40-foot containers, as proven using 3D-printed horn simulations.
Significance:
- Safety Assurance: No damage to rhinos observed; cytological tests showed no cellular or physiological harm.
- Impact on Illegal Trade: Horn becomes detectable, unusable, and toxic for illegal human consumption.
| [UPSC 2019] Consider the following statements:
1. Asiatic lion is naturally found In India only. Â Â 2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only. Â Â 3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?”
Options:  (a) 1 only * (b) 2 only  (c) 1 and 3 only  (d) 1, 2 and 3 |
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Why in the News?
A joint population census conducted by Kerala and Tamil Nadu has revealed the presence of 2,668 Nilgiri tahrs in the Western Ghats.
About Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius):
- Endemism: Found only in the Nilgiri Hills and southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, India.
- Ecological Role: Key grazer in the montane grassland ecosystem, influencing plant growth and grassland regeneration.
- Habitat:
- Open montane grasslands interspersed with shola forests (South Western Ghats montane rain forests eco-region).
- Occurs at elevations between 1,200 to 2,600 metres (3,900 to 8,500 feet).
- Prefers steep rocky slopes, cliff edges, and grassy plateaus â areas with clear visibility to detect predators.
- Population: Estimated 3,122 individuals in the wild; Locally extinct in about 14% of its historical habitat.
- In Kerala (1,365): Eravikulam National Park (ENP) â largest single population (~841 individuals); Anamalai Hills landscape.
- In Tamil Nadu (1303): Mukurthi National Park; Grass Hills National Park; Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (lesser presence)
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
- Cultural Significance:
- Official state animal of Tamil Nadu.
- Mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature (~2,000 years ago).
- Seen in Mesolithic rock art (10,000â4,000 BC), indicating its deep historical importance.
| [UPSC 2018] Consider the following fauna of India:
1. Gharial 2. Leatherback turtle 3. Swamp deer
Which of the above is/are endangered?
Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 * (d) None |
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Why in the News?
The Asian giant tortoise (Manouria emys), the largest tortoise in mainland Asia, has been reintroduced into the Zeliang Community Reserve in Nagalandâs Peren district.
About Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys):
- It is the largest tortoise in mainland Asia.
- Two subspecies: Manouria emys emys and Manouria emys phayrei.
- Uniquely, it lays eggs above ground in leaf-litter nests.
- Behaviour: It is solitary and active mostly during dawn and dusk.
- Found in evergreen and bamboo forests across India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
- Habitat in India: Nengpui WLS, Nongkhyllem WLS, and North Cachar Hills.
- Conservation status: IUCN â Critically Endangered; CITES â Appendix II; Wildlife Protection Act â Schedule IV.
- Major threats: Illegal hunting for meat, habitat degradation, forest fires, and bamboo removal.
| [UPSC 2017] In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply?
Options: (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger*
(b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and how it is impossible to prevent its extinction
(c) It is endemic to a particular region of India
(d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context. |
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