sgs-42- biodiversity-2.pdf

CCoonnvveennttiioonnaall GGeenneerraall SSttuuddiieess--4422 CConcepts, Facts and Protection Framework of Biodiversity of India--22

Civil Services Examination 2013

TTaarrggeett 22001133 www.gktoday.in

GKToday’s Reader Supported Email Assistance Programme for General Studies Papers of Civil Services Examinations | [email protected] | © 2011-13 Suresh Soni

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Protection of Tiger Project Tiger

Currently there are 42

approved Tiger reserves. started as a 'Central Sector Scheme'

later, it become a 'centrally Sponsored Scheme'

National Tiger Conservation Authority National Tiger Conservation Authority

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 was

amended

Functions

Kindly note that under section 38V of the

Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, every State Government has the authority to notify an area as a tiger

reserve. However, the notable observation is that while the wildlife sanctuaries and national parks can be

declared by the state governments, in context witth the Tiger Reserves, the Tiger Conservation Plans

sent by state government need to be approved by the NTCA first.

However, things can go in other way also. Central Government via NTCA may advise the state governments

to forward a proposal for creation of Tiger Reserves. In recent times, it has happened and we even see that

the states like Karnataka have opposed the Centre Government’s initiation of declaring a tiger reserve due

to many reasons including political ones.

Kindly note that the Central Government causes the aannual report of the National Tiger Conservation Authority to be laid before each House of Parliament.





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Parts of a Tiger Reserve

Core or critical area:

as inviolate without affecting the rights of

the Scheduled Tribes or such other forest dwellers

The above two definition imply that__:

No human activity is allowed in core areas except anything that affects the rights of the

scheduled tribes or forest dwellers.

The buffer area is allowed for limited non-commercial activity such as development, co-

existance of man and wild animals and scientific research.

Gram Sabha is consulted in management of buffer areas. Alternation of Boundaries of Tiger Reserves

Can a state government denotify a tiger Reserve? Yes. The state Government can de-notify in public interest

Tiger Conservation Authority and the National Board for Wild LifeSpecial Tiger Protection Force (STPF)

India’s Tiger Reserves 42 approved Tiger Reserves in India

NNo. SState TTiger Reserve YYear Estd. EEst. No. of Tigers TTotal Area (km2)

11 Assam Manas Tiger Reserve 1973-74 15 2840

22 Jharkhand Palamau Tiger Reserve 1973-74 6 1026

33 Karnataka Bandipur Tiger Reserve 1973-74 79 866

44 Madhya Pradesh Kanha Tiger Reserve 1973-74 60 1945

55 Maharashtra Melghat Tiger Reserve 1973-74 5 1677





366 Odisha Simlipal Tiger Reserve 1973-74 8 2750

77 Rajasthan Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve 1973-74 45 1334

88 Uttarakhand Corbett Tiger Reserve 1973-74 134 1316

99 West Bengal Sunderbans Tiger Reserve 1973-74 256 2585

110 Karnataka Bannerghatta tiger and lion reserve 1978 NA 104

111 Kerala Periyar Tiger Reserve 1978-79 10 925

112 Rajasthan Sariska Tiger Reserve 1978-79 4 866

113 Arunachal Pradesh Namdapha Tiger Reserve 1982-83 15 1985

114 Andhra Pradesh Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve 1982-83 14 3568

115 Chhattisgarh Indravati Tiger Reserve 1982-83 13 2799

116 West Bengal Buxa Tiger Reserve 1982-83 12 759

117 Uttar Pradesh Dudhwa Tiger Reserve 1987-88 101 811

118 Tamil Nadu Kalakad-Mundathurai Tiger Reserve 1988-89 73 800

119 Bihar Valmiki Tiger Reserve 1989-90 18 840

220 Madhya Pradesh Pench Tiger Reserve 1992-93 19 758

221 Madhya Pradesh Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve 1993-94 63 1162

222 Maharashtra Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve 1993-94 20 620

223 Madhya Pradesh Panna Tiger Reserve 1994-95 22 542

224 Mizoram Dampa Tiger Reserve 1994-95 23 5 00

225 Karnataka Bhadra Tiger Reserve 1998-99 24 492

226 Maharashtra Pench Tiger Reserve 1998-99 25 257

227 Assam Nameri Tiger Reserve 1999–2000 27 344

228 Arunachal Pradesh Pakhui Tiger Reserve 1999–2000 26 862

229 Karnataka Nagarhole (extension) Tiger Reserve 1999–2000 37 643

330 Madhya Pradesh Bori-Satpura Tiger Reserve 1999–2000 28 1486

331 Assam Kaziranga Tiger Reserve 2006 32 859

332 Tamil Nadu Mudumalai National Park 2007 36 321

333 Odisha Satkosia Tiger Reserve 2007 31 988

334 Karnataka Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve 2007 34 875

335 Maharashtra Sahyadri Tiger Reserve 2008 39 569

336 Chhattisgarh Achanakmar Tiger Reserve 2008 33 963

337 Madhya Pradesh Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve 2008 35 831

338 Tamil Nadu / Kerala Annamalai Tiger Reserve 2008-09 29 1019

339 Chhattisgarh Udanti & Sitanadi Tiger Reserve 2008-09 30 1580

440 Kerala Parambikulam Tiger Reserve 2010 38 391

441 Karnataka Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary 2010 40 540

442 Karnataka Kudremukh Tiger Reserve 2012 NA NA

Kudremukh tiger reserve

‘in-principle’ approval





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Summary: All India Tiger Estimation (2010) 1706

How Tigers are counted

ground

surveys analyses of satellite data camera traps.

Protection of Elephant

the 13 states of Andhra Pradesh,

Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha,

Tamil Nadu, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh and West BengalNote: There are 17 states in India in which elephants exist in the wild state.

Major Activities:





5

India’s Elephant Reserves

28 Elephant Reserves

including the proposed

No. Elephant Reserve State

1 Rayala Elephant Reserve Andhra 2 Kameng Elephant Reserve Arunachal 3 Deomali Elephant Reserve Arunachal 4 Sonitpur Elephant Reserve Assam 5 Dihing-Patkai Elephant Reserve Assam 6 Kaziranga – Karbi Anglong Elephant Reserve Assam 7 Dhansiri-Lungding Elephant Reserve Assam 8 Chirang-Ripu Elephant Reserve Assam 9 Singhbhum Elephant Reserve Jharkhand 10 Mysore Elephant Reserve Karnataka 11 Bhadra Elephant Reserve Karnataka 12 Wayanad Elephant Reserve Kerala 13 Nilambur Elephant Reserve Kerala 14 Anamudi Elephant Reserve Kerala 15 Periyar Elephant Reserve Kerala 16 Garo Hills Elephant Reserve Meghalaya 17 Khasi Hills Elephant Reserve Meghalaya 18 Intanki Elephant Reserve Nagaland 19 Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve Odisha 20 Mahanadi Elephant Reserve Odisha 21 Sambalpur Elephant Reserve Odisha 22 Baitarni Elephant Reserve Odisha 23 South Odisha Elephant Reserve Odisha 24 Nilgiri Elephant Reserve Tamil Nadu 25 Coimbatore Elephant Reserve Tamil Nadu 26 Anamalai Elephant Reserve Tamil Nadu 27 Srivilliputtur Elephant Reserve Tamil Nadu 28 Shivalik Elephant Reserve Uttaranchal 29 Mayurjharna Elephant Reserve W. Bengal 30 Eastern Dooars Elephant Reserve W. Bengal

Elephant Corridors in India

maximum number of them are located in Meghalaya

Jharkhand and Odisha

Bangladesh.

State Corridors Inter-State Corridors International Corridors

State Number States Number Countries Number

Meghalaya 26 Jharkhand– Odisha 8 Indo-Bangladesh 6

Odisha 21 Arunachal– Assam 4 Indo- Bhutan 4

Tamilnadu 19 Karnataka– Tamilnadu 4 Indo- Myanmar 4

Assam 15 Assam– Nagaland 3 Indo – Nepal 3

W. Bengal 14 Jharkhand – W. Bengal 3

Kerala 12 Arunachal– Nagaland 2

Karnataka 9 Jharkhand– M.P. 1





6Arunachal 8 Odisha–W. Bengal 1

Jharkhand 6 Karnataka– Kerala 1

Uttranchal 5 Kerala-Tamilnadu 1

Uttar Pradesh 3

Total 138 Total 28 Total 17

Population of Wild Elephants in India

maximum number of wild elephants in India are in Kerala, followed by

Assam and KarnatakaRREGION SSTATE EELEPHANT POPULATION

1993 1997 2002 2007 NNorth--EEast Arunachal

Pradesh 2102 1800 1607 1690

Assam 5524 5312 5246 5281 Meghalaya 2872 1840 1868 1811 Nagaland 178 158 145 152Mizoram 15 22 33 12 Manipur 50 30 12 - Tripura 100 70 40 59 West Bengal (North)

186 250 292 300-350

TTotal for NNorth--EEast

11027 9482 9243 9305-9355

EEast West Bengal (South)

14 26 36 25

Jharkhand 550 618 772 624 Odisha 1750 1800 1841 1862 Chhattisgarh - - - 122

TTotal for East 2314 2444 2649 2633 NNorth Uttarakhand 828 1130 1582 1346 Uttar Pradesh 47 70 85 380

TTotal for North 875 1200 1667 1726 SSouth Tamil Nadu 2307 2971 3052 3867 Karnataka 5500 6088 5838 4035 Kerala 3500 3600 3850 6068 Andhra Pradesh 46 57 74 28 Maharashtra - - - 7

TTotal for South 11353 12716 12814 14005 GGRAND TOTAL 25569 25842 26373 27669-27719

Elephant as National Heritage Animal of India

amend the Wildlife (Protection) Act

National Elephants Conservation Authority (NECA

Protection of Snow Leopard Project Snow Leopard

five states of Jammu and Kashmir,

Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim





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Some notes:

Apex predators affect prey species' population dynamics. Where two competing species are in an ecologically

unstable relationship, apex predators tend to create stability if they prey upon both. Inter-predator

relationships are also affected by apex status.

Protection of Hangul

Protection of Vulture Discovery of Decline in Vulture Population

visceral gout

Diclofenac.

Out of nine species of vultures, the population of three species- WWhite-backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) and LLong-billed Vulture (Gyps indicus) has declined by 99%. The Red- headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) has also suffered a rapid decline in the recent past. Vultures keep the environment clean, by scavenging on animal carcasses. The decline in vulture populations has associated disease risks, including increased risk of spread of rabies and anthrax, besides adversely impacting the observance of last rites by the Parsis in the Towers of Silence.





8Gyps bengalensis Gyps tenuirostris Gyps indicus

Bioaccumulation of Diclofenac causes kidney failure and visceral gout in Vultures leading to death. Diclofenac is such

dangerously fatal for Vultures that even 1% of it in carcass would kill the Vulture in a short time, after it feeds such

carcass.

Vulture Safe Zones

I.

II.

III.

Vulture breeding facilities

Other Protected Fauna: Compendium – 2 Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)

Gavialis gangeticus

the vahana or vehicle of Goddess Ganga

river guardian





9Gharials are endemic to the Indian sub-continent

two rivers only, Girwa and the Chambal.

Tibetan Antelope or Chiru

Endemic to the Tibetan Plateau, this antelope is found mainly in Chinese regions

although some individuals migrate to Ladakh in India

shahtoosh’ trade

Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius)

Found only in the Western Ghats Mountain Range of southwestern India, the

largest population is found within the Eravikulam National Park

Nyan, Argali or Great Tibetan Sheep (Ovis ammon hodgsoni)

Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata)





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Pygmy Hog (Sus salvania)

The pygmy hog is the smallest of all the pig family; it is also the most

endangered. These small hogs have relatively short limbs.

Rusty spotted Cat (Felis rubiginosa)

Clawless Otter (Aonyx cinerea)

Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus)





11

Greater Slow Loris (Nycticebus couceang)

Small Travencore Flying Squirrel (Petinomys fuscocapillus)

Swamp Deer (All sub-species of Cervus duvauceli)





12Tibetan Gazelle (Procapra picticaudata)

Procapra picticaudata

Tibetan Wild Ass (Equus beminus kiang)

The Tibetan wild ass or Kiang is the largest wild ass.

Wild Yak (Bos grunniens)

Tibetan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco)





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Gee's golden langur (Trachypithecus geei)

Four-horned antelope (Tetraceros quadricomis)

Lynx (Felix lynx isabellinus)

Hoolock (Hyloba tes hoolock)





14One species, western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) is found in Assam, Bangladesh and in Myanmar west

of the Chindwin River.

White browed gibbon is the only anthropoid ape to be found in India, which is native of Assam.

Critically Endangered Fauna – Birds Jerdon’s Courser

Rhinoptilus bitorquatus

Sri Lankamaleswara Wildlife Sanctuary. Jerdon’s Courser is

endemic to Andhra Pradesh

Forest Owlet

White-bellied Heron

Himalayan Quail

Sociable Lapwing

Spoon Billed Sandpiper

Siberian Crane

The Wetland Biome – Introduction and Functions What is a wetland?

soil is saturated with moisture either permanently or seasonally





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wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial,

permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt,

including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six

metres."

Paludology

Functions of Wetlands

sink carbon. to store

and regulate water.

Water Filtration:

Water Storage:

Biological Productivity:

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as

Waterfowl Habitat

Iran

World Wetland Day .





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Rationale of Ramsar Convention

Is Ramsar Part of UN Environment Conventions? Ramsar Convention is NOT part of the United

Nations and UNESCO system of environment conventions and agreementsCommitments under Ramsar Convention

Designation:

Selection:

Information:

Wise Use:

Reserves:

International cooperation:





173 pillars of Ramsar Convention:

Three Pillars

Wise Use

List of Wetlands of International Importance at least one wetland

International Cooperation

Is Ramsar Convention legally binding?

What is the Montreux Record under Ramsar List? where

changes in ecological character have occurred are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological

developments, pollution or other human interference.

Ramsar Convention’s International Organization Partners (IOPs)

Wetlands of India





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This implies that India has 6 times more inland wetlands in

comparision to the coastal wetalnds.

70% are under paddy cultivation

their origin, vegetation, nutrient status and thermal characteristics.

1.5

m ha are natural, while 2.6 m ha are manmade

Types of Indian Wetlands

Glaciatic Wetlands

Tectonic Wetlands

Oxbow Wetlands :

Lagoons :

Crater Wetlands

Salt Water Wetlands

Urban Wetlands

Ponds/Tanks, Man-made Wetlands

Reservoirs

Mangroves

Coral reefs, creeks and eustaries.

National Wetlands Conservation Programme

Is there any specific Legal Framework in India regarding Wetlands? No





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India’s Ramsar sites

Chilika Lake

(Odisha) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) first two Ramsar Sites.

26 Ramsar SitesNo. RRamsar Site DDate of Designation SState

11 Kolleru Lake 19-08-2002 Andhra Pradesh 90,100 ha

22 Deepor Beel 19-08-2002 Assam 4,000 ha

33 Chandertal Wetland 08-11-2005 Himachal Pradesh 49 ha

44 Pong Dam Lake 19-08-2002 Himachal Pradesh 15,662 ha

55 Renuka Wetland ((smallest wetland) 08-11-2005 Himachal Pradesh 20 ha

66 Hokera Wetland 08-11-2005 Jammu & Kashmir 1,375 ha

77 Surinsar-Mansar Lakes 08-11-2005 Jammu & Kashmir 350 ha

88 Tsomoriri 19-08-2002 Jammu & Kashmir 12,000 ha

99 Wular Lake 23-03-1990 Jammu & Kashmir 18,900 ha

110 Ashtamudi Wetland 19-08-2002 Kerala 61,400 ha

111 Sasthamkotta Lake 19-08-2002 Kerala 373 ha

112 Vembanad-Kol Wetland ((Largest Wetland of India) 19-08-2002 Kerala 151,250 ha

113 Bhoj Wetland 19-08-2002 Madhya Pradesh 3,201 ha

114 Loktak Lake ((Montreux Record) 23-03-1990 Manipur 26,600 ha

115 Bhitarkanika Mangroves 19-08-2002 Odisha 65,000 ha

116 Chilika Lake 01-10-1981 Odisha 116,500 ha

117 Harike Lake 23-03-1990 Punjab 4,100 ha

118 Kanjli 22-01-2002 Punjab 183 ha

119 Ropar 22-01-2002 Punjab 1,365 ha

220 Keoladeo National Park ((Montreux Record) 01-10-1981 Rajasthan 2,873 ha

221 Sambhar Lake 23-03-1990 Rajasthan 24,000 ha

222 Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary 19-08-2002 Tamil Nadu 38,500 ha

223 Rudrasagar Lake 08-11-2005 Tripura 240 ha

224 Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch) 08-11-2005 Uttar Pradesh 26,590 ha

225 East Calcutta Wetlands 19-08-2002 West Bengal 12,500 Ha

226 NNalsarovar Bird Sanctuary ((Latest wwetland added) 224--009--22012 GGujarat 1123 Km²

The most notable trivia about each of them is noted below: (Source: Ramsar.org and wikipedia) Ashtamudi Wetland, Kerala

Thirunalloor KarunakaranBhitarkanika Mangroves, Odisha

Gahirmatha beach of site is said to host the largest known Olive Ridley sea turtle

highest density of saltwater crocodile in the country





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Bhoj Wetland, Madhya Pradesh

Raja Bhoj of Malw

Chandertal Wetland, Himachal Pradesh

Snow Leopard

Deepor Beel, Assam

only major storm water storage basin for the city of Guwahati

East Calcutta Wetlands, West Bengal

The site is world-renowned as a model of a multiple use wetland, the site's resource recovery systems,

developed by local people through the ages, have saved the city of Calcutta from the costs of constructing and

maintaining waste water treatment plants.

Harike Lake, Punjab

Hokera Wetland, Jammu & Kashmir





21Kanjli wetland, Punjab

It is

Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan

Paspalum distichum

Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh

Kolleru lake contains numerous fertile islets called lanka's

Loktak Lake, Manipur

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat





22The Nal region is a low-lying area between the plains of the Central Gujarat and Eastern Saurashtra. Owing

to its low lying topography, it is believed to represent a filled up sea link, that previously existed between the

Little Rann in the north and the Gulf of Khambat in the south.

Point Calimere, Tamil Nadu

The site serves as the breeding ground or nursery for many commercially important species of fish, as well as

for prawns and crabs. Some 35,000 fishermen and agriculturalists support their families around the borders

of the sanctuary. Pong Dam Lake, Himachal Pradesh

Renuka Wetland, Himachal Pradesh

Ropar Lake, Punjab





23

Rudrasagar Lake, Tripura lowland sedimentation reservoir of Tripura

Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan It is a large saline lake in Rajasthan, fed by four streams set in a shallow wetland and subject to seasonal

fluctuations.

Sasthamkotta Lake, Kerala It is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala state

Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, J & K

Tsomoriri, J & K

The site is said to represent the only breeding ground outside of China for one of the most endangered

cranes, the Black-necked crane, and the only breeding ground for Bar-headed geese in India.





24The Great Tibetan Sheep or Argali and Tibetan Wild Ass are endemic to the Tibetan plateau, of which the

Changthang is the westernmost part. The barley fields at Korzok have been described as the highest

cultivated land in the world.

Upper Ganga River (Brijghat to Narora Stretch), Uttar Pradesh

Vembanad-Kol Wetland, Kerala

Wular Lake, J & K

India’s Forest Biome Some Basic Definitions about Forest Cover

Forest Area or Recorded Forest Area

Forest Blank

Canopy.

percentage area of land Canopy density

Canopy density

Forest Cover

Recorded Forest Area





25

State of Forests Report 2011

Forest and Tree cover

Total Forest Cover is 21.05% of the geographical area

maximum share is of Moderate Dense Forests

slightly more than Open

Forests

decrease of 367 square km in country’s forest

cover

shown decrease

o Decline of 281 km² in Forest cover of Andhra Pradesh is mainly attributed to harvesting of mature

plantation of Eucalyptus & other species.

o

²

No-Forest 77.67%

Scrub 1.28%

Open Forest 8.75%

Moderate DenseForest 9.76%

Very DeneseForest 2.54%





26

Forest Rights in India Government Policy towards Forests Rights in India

scientific

forest management

declared state property

first Indian Forest Policy

Wildlife Protection Act in 1972 Forest Policy 1988 deviated from the economic importance for

the first time and treated them as ecological necessity as source of goods for local populations

Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP).

Joint Forest Management (JFM)

Wildlife Protection Act

Forest Rights Act 2006

Forest Act 2006

Scheduled Tribes and the Other Forest Dwellers (Recognition

of Forest Rights) Act 2006, 'forest rights on the ancestral lands and their habitat were not

adequately recognized in the consolidation of state forests during the colonial periods as well as in Independent India

CConflict over Forest Rights and tribal revolts

The permanence settlement of 1757, the forest act of 1865

and 1878 and the forest policy of 1894 were one of the

root causes of rebellions and revolts of the indigenous

communities in India. These revolts began from 1794 and

continued till 1920s. The target of these rebellions was the

new land and forest policies which left them devoid of

their traditional rights over forests. But the rebellions were

crushed ruthlessly and British kept brining fresh areas

under state control, formulating new laws for legitimizing

the property rights transferred from communities to state.





27resulting in Historical injustice with the scheduled tribes and other traditional forest dwellers, who are integral to

the very survival of the forest ecosystem

This Forest Rights Act 2006 provides the following:

forest villages revenue villages

Gram Sabha plays pivotal role

Defining a Forest Village and a Revenue Village Forest Village

taungya settlements

Revenue Village

In the rural areas the smallest area of habitation, viz., the village

generally follows the limits of a revenue village that is

recognised by the normal district administration.

Impact on Lives of Forest Dwellers living in Forest Villages

A Revenue Village versus a Hamlet

Normally in India, the ‘village’ is taken to mean the

revenue village administrative unit. However due to

immense variation in the sizes of revenue villages in

different states, larger revenue villages can contain several

hamlets spread over a large area.





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Conversion of Forest Villages into Revenue Villages

Conclusive Note

Tharu

Issue of rights over Non-timber Forest Produce: The Maharaj Muthoo Committee Forest Certification

Non-timber forest products

The chairman of this

committee was Prof. Maharaj Muthoo. T Haque Committee on Minimum Support Price for non-timber forest produce (NTFP)

Issues of Minor Forest Produce

Tendu Patta,





29Control on collection of Minor Forest Produce

Scheduled tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest rights) Act, 2006

Minor Forest Produce : Conflict of legislation

Minor Forest Produce and PESA





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Current Issues: MFP

National Forest Commission (NFC) first of its kind ever

Bamboo as a Minor Forest Produce

minor forest produce

Minimum Support Prices for MFP Dr. T. Haque committee

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