Conservation of Biodiversity This is an extremely important topic for CSE and various other exams. To master this topic, Let us understand the following concepts. 1. Modes of Biodiversity conservation 2. What are National Parks, Wildlife sanctuaries and Biosphere reserves 3. Biosphere reserves in India 4. Important National parks in India 5. List of important Bird sanctuaries & Wildlife sanctuaries 6. Project Tiger 7. Project Elephant 1. Modes of Biodiversity conservation There are two modes of conserving Biodiversity. They are Ex-situ conservation and In-situ conservation. Ex-Situ: Conserving Bio-diversity outside the areas where they naturally occur. Examples are Botanical garden (for Plants) and Zoological parks (for Animals) Botanical Garden: Botanical garden is a garden in which plants are grown and displayed primarily for scientific and educational purposes. It consists of a collection of living plants, grown outdoors or under glass in greenhouses and conservatories 1
Zoological Park: In zoological parks or zoos, live animals are kept for public recreation, education and conservation purposes. Modern zoos offer veterinary facilities, provide opportunities for threatened species to breed in captivity and usually build environments that stimulate the native habitats of the animals in their care. In-Situ: Conserving Bio-diversity in their natural habitat (Protected areas) Examples are National parks, Wild life sanctuaries, Biosphere reserves, Conservation reserves, Community reserves etc. Protected Areas: Protected areas are meant for affording protection to wild animals and their habitat. India has a network of 733 protected areas (103 National parks, 537 wildlife sanctuaries, 67 conservation reserves and 26 community reserves) covering about 4.9 % of the total geographical area of the country. (As of July 2017) National Parks (NPs) 103 40500.13 1.23 Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLSs) 537 118005.30 3.59 Conservation Reserves (CRs) 67 2349.38 0.07 Community Reserves 26 46.93 0.001 Protected Areas (PAs) 733 160901.74 4.89 2
2. National parks, Wildlife sanctuaries, Biosphere reserves National parks in India are IUCN category II protected areas. India s first national park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, now known as Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand. By 1970, India only had five national parks. In 1972, India enacted the Wildlife Protection Act to safeguard the habitats of conservation reliant species. IUCN Protected Area Management Categories. (This is given just for a reference, Please don t mug up) Through its World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), the IUCN has developed six Protected Area Management Categories that define protected areas according to their management objectives, which are internationally recognised by various national governments and the United Nations. The categories provide international standards for defining protected areas and encourage conservation planning according to their management aims. IUCN Protected Area Management Categories: Category Ia Strict Nature Reserve Category Ib Wilderness Area Category II National Park Category III Natural Monument or Feature Category IV Habitat/Species Management Area Category V Protected Landscape/Seascape Category VI Protected Area with sustainable use of natural resources 3
World Commission on Protected Areas: The World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) is one of six commissions of the IUCN (World Conservation Union).WCPA is the world's premier network of protected area expertise. It is administered by IUCN's Global Protected Areas Programme and has over 2,400 members, spanning 140 countries Declaration of National parks & Wild life sanctuaries: Under Wildlife (protection) Act 1972, state government may declare an area as a National park or a wild life sanctuary if the area was thought to be of adequate ecological, geomorphological and natural significance. The central government may also declare national park or wild life sanctuary under certain circumstances. Although, the difference in conservation value of a NP and a sanctuary is not mentioned with in NPA 1972, but National park has greater degree of protection than the wildlife sanctuary. (Grazing like activities are prohibited in National parks and are regulated in Wild life sanctuaries) The boundaries of a NP/ Sanctuary cannot be altered except on recommendation of the National Board for Wildlife. The amendment act of 1991 provided for the inclusion of territorial waters in areas to be declared as sanctuaries/nps for the protection of offshore flora and fauna, However in such cases, the limits shall be determined in consultation with the Chief Naval Hydrographer of the central government, after taking adequate measures to protect the occupational interests of the local fishermen. States and UTs with highest number of National parks and Wildlife sanctuaries: Andaman & Nicobar has 9 NPs. Madhya pradesh has 9 NPs Andaman & Nicobar has 96 WLS. Maharashtra has 40 WLS 4
Biosphere Reserves Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large area of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination thereof and representative examples of bio-geographic zones/provinces. International Status of Biosphere Reserves (BR): The UNESCO has introduced the designation Biosphere Reserve for natural areas to minimize conflict between development and conservation. BRs are nominated by national government which meet a minimal set of criteria and adhere to minimal set of conditions for inclusion in the world network of Biosphere reserves under the Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme of UNESCO. Globally 621 BRs representing from 117 countries included in the network so far. Man and the Biosphere Programme: UNESCO s Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB) is an intergovernmental scientific programme that aims to establish a scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments Structure of BR: Biosphere reserves are demarcated into following 3 inter-related zones: Core Zone, Buffer Zone, Transition Zone Core Zone: Core zone must contain suitable habitat for numerous plant and animal species, including higher order predators and may contain centres of endemism. Core areas often conserve the wild relatives of economic species and also represent important genetic reservoirs having exceptional scientific interest. 5
A core zone being National Park or Sanctuary/protected/regulated mostly under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Whilst realizing that perturbation is an ingredient of ecosystem functioning, the core zone is to be kept free from human pressures external to the system. Buffer Zone: The buffer zone, adjoins or surrounds core zone, uses and activities are managed in this area in the ways that help in protection of core zone in its natural condition. These uses and activities include restoration, demonstration sites for enhancing value addition to the resources, limited recreation, tourism, fishing, grazing, etc; which are permitted to reduce its effect on core zone. 6
Research and educational activities are to be encouraged. Human activities, if natural within BR, are likely to continue if these do not adversely affect the ecological diversity. Transition Zone: The transition area is the outermost part of a biosphere reserve. This is usually not delimited one and is a zone of cooperation where conservation knowledge and management skills are applied and uses are managed in harmony with the purpose of the biosphere reserve. This includes settlements, crop lands, managed forests and area for intensive recreation and other economic uses characteristics of the region. 3. Biosphere reserves in India The Indian government has established 18 Biosphere Reserves in India (categories roughly corresponding to IUCN Category V Protected areas), which protect larger areas of natural habitat (than a National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary), and often include one or more National Parks and/or preserves, along with buffer zones that are open to some economic uses. Ten of the eighteen biosphere reserves are a part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, based on the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme list. Biosphere Reserves which are connected to MAB: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala) 1 st Biosphere reserve Key fauna include Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-tailed macaque Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (TamilNadu) Key fauna is Dugong (Sea cow) 7
AgasthyaMalai Biosphere Reserve (TamilNadu, Kerala) Added to world list of Biosphere reserves in 2016. Key fauna is Nilgiri Tahr and Elephants Great Nicobar Island Biosphere Reserve (Andaman & Nicobar) Key fauna is Salt water crocodile Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve (West Bengal) Key fauna is Bengal Tiger, Salt water crocodile, Ganges river Dolphin Nandadevi Biosphere Reserve (Uttarakhand) Key fauna is Snow Leopard Nokrek Biosphere Reserve (Meghalaya) Key fauna is Red panda 8
Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) Key fauna is Flying Squirrel Simlipal Biosphere Reserve (Odisha) Key fauna is Gaur, Bengal tiger and Elephants Achanakmar - Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh) Recent (2005) Key fauna is Leopard, Cheeta, Gaur 9
Biosphere Reserves which are not connected to MAB: Manas Biosphere Reserve (Assam) Key fauna is Red Panda, Golden langur Dibru - Saikhowa Biosphere Reserve (Assam) Key fauna is Golden langur Dehang - Dibang Biosphere Reserve (Arunachal Pradesh) Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (Sikkim) Key fauna is Red Panda, Snow Leopard Rann of Kutch Biosphere Reserve (Gujarat) Key fauna is Wild ass Cold desert Biosphere Reserve (Himachal Pradesh) 10
Key fauna is Snow leopard Panna Biosphere Reserve (Madhya Pradesh) Recent (2011) Key fauna is Tiger, Chital, Chinkara, Sambhar and Sloth Bear Seshachalam Hills Biosphere Reserve (Andhra Pradesh) Key fauna is Slender Loris. 11
4. Important National parks in India 1. Hemis National Park: (J & K) It is the largest national park. The NP includes parts of Zanskar range. It is India's only protected area inside the Palearctic ecozone This Park is bounded on the north by the banks of the Indus River It is Home to Snow Leopard 2. Dachigam National Park: (J & K) It is located in the Zabarwan Range of the western Himalayas. In this NP, The variation in altitude is vast, ranging from 5500 ft to 14000 ft above mean sea level. The terrain ranges from gently sloping grasslands to sharp rocky outcrops and cliffs. It is the only area where Kashmir stag is found 12
3. Pin Valley National Park: (Himachal Pradesh) It is located in Spiti valley. Dhankar Monastery is located near to it. 4. Great Himalayan National Park: (Himachal Pradesh) In June 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Committee granted the status to the park under the criteria of "outstanding significance for biodiversity conservation" 13
5. Jim Corbett National Park: (Uttarakhand) It is the Oldest national park in India The park encompasses the Patli Dun valley formed by the Ramganga river and tributaries Sonanadi, Mandal and Palain 6. Nanda devi National Park: (Uttarakhand) It is drained by river Rishi Ganga 7. Valley of Flowers National Park: (Uttarakhand) Pushpawati river flows into it. 8. Dudhwa National Park: (Uttar Pradesh) The Dudhwa National Park was established in 1977 as a sanctuary to the swamp deer or the commonly known Barasingha and is also one of the few remaining habitats of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceroses. 14
9. Sultanpur National Park: (Haryana) Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary is very popular national park located 15 km from Gurgaon This Bird Sanctuary, ideal for birding and bird watchers, is best visited in winters when a large number of migratory birds come here. 10. Khangchendzonga National Park: (Sikkim) Mountain Kanchenjunga which is 8,586 metres tall, the third-highest peak in the world. It is the first mixed heritage site from India to make it to the UNESCO world heritage sites list (added in 2016). A mixed site exhibits qualities of both natural and cultural significance. 15
11. Namdapha National Park: (Arunachal Pradesh) The park is located between the Dapha bum range of the Mishmi Hills and the Patkai range. The entire area is mountainous and comprises the catchment of the Noa-Dihing River, a tributary of the great Brahmaputra river Perhaps it is the only park where all four major predators of Himalaya (Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard) were found Altitude ranges from 200 mts in the south to 4500 mts in the North. So the park includes all three major physiographic entities of the eastern Himalaya. Hence the climate varies from Tropical to Subtropical, Temperate and Arctic. 16
12. Kaziranga National Park: (Assam) This NP is known for Heavy rainfall, parts of the national park are inundated by floods. This park is famous for great Indian one horned Rhinos This park is famous for Cane and Bamboo The park area is circumscribed by the Brahmaputra River, which forms the northern and eastern boundaries, and the Mora Diphlu, which forms the southern boundary. Other notable rivers within the park are the Diphlu and Mora Dhansiri 13. Manas National Park: (Assam) it is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur, pygmy hog and Wild water buffalo Manas River and another tributary of Manas, the Hakua, flow through the sanctuary. 14. Orang National Park: (Assam) The Orang National Park is located on the Northern Shores of the Brahmaputra River and is often termed as the mini Kaziranga due to its population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros. The park comprises of alluvial flood plains, moist deciduous forests and grasslands. 15. Nameri National Park: (Assam) Nameri and Jia Bhoroli (Kameng) Rivers flow through this NP. 17
16. Keibul Lamjao National Park: (Manipur) It is located Inside the lake Loktak (Loktak is into Montreux record) It is the only floating park in the world with unique vegetation The Sangai deer is found only in this park. 17. Nokrek National Park: (Meghalaya) It is located in Garo hills Nokrek has a remnant population of the Red panda Known for the rare Stump-tailed macaque, The Pig-tailed macaque Nokrek is also an Important Bird Area 18. Balpakram National Park: (Meghalaya) It is located in Garo hills It is often referred to as the "abode of perpetual winds" as well as the "land of spirits. 18
19. Neora Valley National Park: (West Bengal) Neora River flows through this NP 20. Jaldapara National Park: (West Bengal) Torsa River flows through this NP. The park holds the largest rhino population in India after Kaziranga National Park in Assam 21. Sundarbans National Park: (West Bengal) Sunderbans is the largest Mangroves in the world. The endangered species that lives within the Sundarbans are royal Bengal tiger, saltwater crocodile, river terrapin, olive ridley turtle, Ganges River dolphin, hawksbill turtle and mangrove horseshoe crab. 19
22. Bhitarkanika National Park: (Odissa) Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary which bounds the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary to the easten compasses Gahirmatha Beach and an adjacent portion of the Bay of Bengal. It is famous for its salt water crocodiles and Olive ridley sea turtle. It is the Second largest mangrove forest Bhitarkanika is created by the two river deltas of Brahmani and Baitarani river and one of the important Ramsar Wetland in India. 20
23. Simlipal National National Park: (Odissa) At least 12 rivers cut across the plain area. The prominent among them are Budhabalanga, Palpala Bhandan, Kharkai River and Deo Simlipal falls under a high cerebral malaria-prone zone. In cerebral malaria the sequestrated red blood cells can breach the blood brain barrier possibly leading to coma 21
24. Indravati National Park: (Chattisgah) River Indravati flows through this N.P 25. Kanha National Park: (Madhya pradesh) known for Indian Gaur 26. Bandhavgarh National Park: (Madhya Pradesh) This N.P has the highest known tiger population in India 27. Pench National Park (Madhya Pradesh) Pench River flows through this national park from north to south, dividing the park in two equal halves. Pench National Park is famous as being the setting for Rudyard Kipling s famous collection of stories The Jungle Book. 22
28. Panna National Park: (Madhya Pradesh) Ken river flows through this NP 29. Desert National Park: (Rajasthan) The greatest attraction of the park is a bird called the great Indian bustard 30. Keoladeo National National Park: (Rajasthan) It is located at the confluence of Gambhir & Banganga rivers. Formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary It is placed on the Montreux Record in 1990 due to "water shortage and an unbalanced grazing regime. 31. Ranthambor National Park: (Rajasthan) It is located at the confluence of Banas and Chambal rivers 23
32. Gir forest National Park: (Gujrat) It is the sole home of the Asiatic lions The Kamleshwar Dam is located in this N.P 33. Gulf of Kutch Marine National park: (Gujarat) It is the first marine national park in India. The national park is located on an island in the Arabian Sea and is a home to several species of coral, Dolphins, Whales and the massive Whale Sharks. 24
34. Indira Gandhi National Park: (Tamilnadu) It is located at Annamalai hills Also known as "Topslip" (The name is derived from the local 19th century practice of sliding timber logs down the hills from here). 35. Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park: (Tamilnadu) Dugong, a vulnerable marine mammal is the flagship mammal of the park. Contain both Mangroves, Coral reefs. A unique endemic species of Balanoglossus Ptychodera fluva, (ocean dwelling warms) a living fossil that links invertebrates and vertebrates, has been recorded only here. 25
36. Mukurthi National Park: (Tamilnadu) Its main mammal attraction is the Nilgiri tahr. The park was previously known as Nilgiri Tahr National Park 37. Mudumalai National park: (Tamilnadu) This NP is connected to Bandipur NP 38. Bandipur National Park: (Karnataka) The park is flanked by the Kabini river in the north and the Moyar river in the south. The Nugu river runs through the park. 39. Nagarhole National Park: (Karnataka) Kabini river flows south of this NP. This NP is connected to Bandipur NP 26
40. Bannerghatta National Park: (Karnataka) It is located at the outskirts of Bengaluru city 41. Periyar National Park: (Kerala) Two important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and Pamba flows through it. The park is located high in the Cardamom Hills and Pandalam Hills of the southern Western Ghats along the border with Tamil Nadu. 42. Silent Valley National Park: (Kerala) lans for a hydroelectric project that threatened the park's rich wildlife stimulated an environmentalist social movement in the 1970s, known as the Save Silent Valley movement, which resulted in cancellation of the project and creation of the park in 1980. The Kuntipuzha River drains the entire 15 km length of the park from north to south into the Bharathapuzha River. The river is characterized by its crystal clear 27
water and perennial nature. Kuntipuzha is one of the less torrential rivers of the Western Ghats, with a pesticide-free catchment area Silent Valley is home to the largest population of lion-tailed macaques, an endangered species. 43. Eravikulam National Park: (Kerala) It is located in the Western Ghats and is characterized by high altitude grassy meadows and the tropical montane forests of the Shola. The park is surrounded by different tributaries of the Periyar, Kaveri and Chalakudiyar River and has several waterfalls. 44. Button Island National Park: (Andaman & Nicobar) This comprises of three NPs - North Button Island NP, Middle Button Island NP, South Button Island NP 28
45. Mount Harriet National Park: (Andaman & Nicobar) 46. Saddle peak National Park: (Andaman & Nicobar) Slope rises from sea level to the saddle peak (740 m) 47. Campbell Bay National Park (Andaman & Nicobar) Located on the Great Nicobar Island, the Campbell Bay National is a part of the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve. The tropical evergreen forests situated in the Bay of Bengal make it one of the strangest eco systems in the world. 48. Wandur National Park/ Mahatama Gandhi Marine National Park: (Andaman & Nicobar) Known for its colorful marine life and coral reefs, Mahatama Gandhi Marine National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the Andaman Islands. 29
Marine National parks: India has only 5 marine national parks. Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park (Gujarat) Malvan Marine Wildlife Sanctuary (Maharashtra) Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary (Odisha) Gulf of Mannar marine national Park (Tamilnadu) Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (Andaman & Nicobar) 30
5. Important list of Bird sanctuaries Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary: (Haryana) Sultanpur bird sanctuary is home for several colorful winged migratory species, located at Gurgaon district of Haryana. Its small area comprising with shallow freshwater sultanpur lake, where 100 of migratory bird species visit to feed every year. Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary: (Rajasthan) The famous Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary also known as Keoladeo Ghana National park. Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary: (Gujarat) Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary: (Odissa) Mayani Bird Sanctuary: (Maharashtra) 31
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary: (Goa) The Salim Ali bird sanctuary is home to many varieties of local and migratory birds, situated in chorao Island along the river Mandovi in Goa. Kaundinya Bird Sanctuary: (Andhra Pradesh) Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary: (Kerala) Kumarakom bird sanctuary also known as Vembanad bird sanctuary. It is near to the famous Vembanad lake. Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary: (Karnataka) It is situated near to the banks of the Kaveri river in Karnataka. It lies adjoining the Krishnarajasagar dam. 32
Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary (Tamilnadu): The oldest water bird sanctuary in India (established in 1936). 6. Project Tiger Project Tiger: Tiger is our national Animal India is home to 70 percent of tigers in the world. In 2006, there were 1,411 tigers which increased to 1,706 in 2011 and 2,226 in 2014. According to latest statement by Environment Minister, the count had gone up to 3800 in 2016. Project Tiger is an ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of MOEFCC providing central assistance to the tiger States for tiger conservation in designated tiger reserves. It was launched in 1973 33
Objectives: Project Tiger's main aim was to: Limit factors that leads to reduction of tiger habitats and to mitigate them by suitable management. The damages done to the habitat were to be rectified so as to facilitate the recovery of the ecosystem to the maximum possible extent. To ensure a viable population of tigers for economic, scientific, cultural, aesthetic and ecological values. Project Tiger is administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority. The overall administration of the project is monitored by a steering committee headed by a director. A field director is appointed for each reserve, who is assisted by a group of field and technical personnel. Core Buffer strategy: The tiger reserves are constituted on a core/buffer strategy. 1.Core area: The core areas are freed of all human activities. It has the legal status of a national park or wildlife sanctuary. It is kept free of biotic disturbances and forestry operations like collection of minor forest produce, grazing, and other human disturbances are not allowed within. 2.Buffer areas: The buffer areas are subjected to 'conservation-oriented land use. 'It comprises forest and non-forest land. It is a multi-purpose use area with twin objectives of providing habitat supplement to spillover population of wild animals from core conservation unit and to provide site specific co-developmental inputs to surrounding villages for relieving their impact on core area. The Project Tiger aims to foster an exclusive tiger agenda in the core areas of tiger reserves, with an inclusive people oriented agenda in the buffer. 34
National Tiger Conservation Authority: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body of the Ministry, with an overarching supervisory / coordination role, performing functions as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Regional Offices of the NTCA have been recently established at Bengaluru, Guwahati and Nagpur, each headed by an IGF and assisted by an AIG. Objective of the NTCA: Providing statutory authority to Project Tiger so that compliance of its directives become legal. Fostering accountability of Center-State in management of Tiger Reserves, by providing a basis for MoU with States within our federal structure. Providing for an oversight by Parliament. Addressing livelihood interests of local people in areas surrounding Tiger Reserves. 35
The Indian tiger population at the turn of the 20th century was estimated at 20,000 to 40,000 individuals. The first country-wide tiger census conducted in 1972 estimated the population to comprise a little more than 1,800 individuals, an alarming reduction in tiger population. India is home to 70 percent of tigers in the world. In 2006, there were 1,411 tigers which increased to 1,706 in 2011 and 2,226 in 2014. According to latest statement by Environment Minister, the count had gone up to 2500 in 2016. Highlight achievements of NTCA: M StrIPES: M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers - Intensive Patrolling and Ecological Status) is a software-based monitoring system launched across Indian tiger reserves by the Indian government's National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2010. The system's objective is to strengthen patrolling and surveillance of tigers. Forest guards in tiger reserves are equipped with personal digital assistants and GPS devices to capture data relating to tiger sightings, deaths, wild life crime and ecological observations while patrolling Tigernet: Tigernet is a directory of tigers and other wildlife mortality. It is the Official Database of NTCA. Important Tiger reserves: From 9 tiger reserves since its formative years, the Project Tiger coverage has increased to 50 at present, spread out in 18 of our tiger range states. This amounts to around 2.08% of the geographical area of our country. 36
The 18 states in which Project Tiger is being implemented are: Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The first 9 Tiger reserves are: Initially, 9 tiger reserves were established in different States during the period 1973-74. These nine Tiger reserves were Manas (Assam), Palamau (Bihar), Similipal (Orissa), Corbett (U.P.), Kanha (M.P.), Melghat (Maharashtra), Bandipur (Karnataka), Ranthambore (Rajasthan) and Sunderbans (West Bengal). 37
Some other Important Tiger reserves are: Dudhwa (UttarPradesh), Sariska (Rajasthan), Valmiki (Bihar), Namdapha (Arunachal Pradesh), Kaziranga (Assam), Dampa (Mizoram) 38
Panna (Madhya Pradesh), Pench (Madhya Pradesh), Bandhavgarh (Madhya Pradesh), Indravati (Chattisgarh), Achanakmar (Chattisgarh), Sahyadri (Maharastra) Nagarjunsagar- Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), Annamalai (Tamilnadu), Mudumalai (Tamilnadu), Periyar (Kerala), Parambikulam (Kerala), 39
Recent Tiger reserves are: Rajaji National Park (Uttarakhand), Orang National Park (Assam) & Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary (Arunachal Pradesh) have been declared / notified as 48th, 49th & 50th Tiger Reserves. Besides the recently notified tiger reserves include: Kawal (Telangana), Sathyamangalam (Tamil Nadu), Mukandra Hills (Rajasthan), Nawegaon-Nagzira (Maharashtra), Amrabad (erstwhile Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve portion) (Telangana), Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh) and Bor (Maharashtra). 40
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Some other Important Points: The state with highest tiger population is Karnataka. The state with highest tiger population density is Uttarakhand. The NP with highest tiger population is Corbett. The Tiger reserve with largest area is Nagarjuna sagar Srisailam. International Tiger Day: Global Tiger Day, often called International Tiger Day, is an annual celebration to raise awareness for tiger conservation, held annually on 29 July. 42
The Global Tiger Initiative (GTI): The Global Tiger Initiative (GTI) was launched in 2008 as a global alliance of governments, international organizations, civil society, the conservation and scientific communities and the private sector, with the aim of working together to save wild tigers from extinction. In 2013, the scope was broadened to include Snow Leopards. The GTI s founding partners included the World Bank, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Smithsonian Institution, Save the Tiger Fund, and International Tiger Coalition (representing more than 40 non-government organizations). The initiative is led by the 13 tiger range countries (TRCs). 43
In November 2010, leaders of the tiger range countries (TRCs) assembled at an International Tiger Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia to adopt the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation and endorsed its implementation mechanism, called the Global Tiger Recovery Program. Their overarching goal was to double the number of wild tigers across their geographical area from about 3,200 to more than 7,000 by 2022. 7. Project Elephant Elephant is the largest terrestrial Mammal of the world. Project Elephant (PE) was launched by the Government of India in the year 1992 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with following objectives : 1. To protect elephants, their habitat & corridors 2. To address issues of man-animal conflict 3. Welfare of captive elephants 44
Financial and Technical support are being provided to major elephant bearing States in the country. The Project is being mainly implemented in 16 States / UTs, viz. Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal. (Just have a look, no need to mug up). At present there are 32 Elephant reserves in India. Main activities under the Project: 1. Ecological restoration of existing natural habitats and migratory routes of elephants; 2. Development of scientific and planned management for conservation of elephant habitats and viable population of Wild Asiatic elephants in India; 45
3. Promotion of measures for mitigation of man elephant conflict in crucial habitats and moderating pressures of human and domestic stock activities in crucial elephant habitats; 4. Strengthening of measures for protection of Wild elephants form poachers and unnatural causes of death; 5. Research on Elephant management related issues; 6. Public education and awareness programmes; 7. Eco-development 8. Veterinary care 9. Elephant Rehabilitation/Rescue Centers Estimation of wild elephant population in the year 2007 and 2012. The all India enumeration of wild population of elephants in the country is carried out at every five year interval. The comparative figures as below for the states shows that the estimated population of wild elephants in the country has increased to 29391-30711 as compared to 27657-27682 in 2007. Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Programme: Mandated by COP resolution of CITES, MIKE program started in South Asia in the year 2003 with following purpose. To provide information needed for elephant range States to make appropriate management and enforcement decisions, and to build institutional capacity within the range States for the long-term management of their elephant populations. 46
The main objectives of the MIKE are: To measure levels and trends in the illegal hunting of elephants; To determine changes in these trends over time; and To determine the factors causing or associated with such changes, and to try and assess in particular to what extent observed trends are a result of any decisions taken by the Conference of the Parties to CITES. Under the programme data are being collected from all sites on monthly basis in specified MIKE patrol form and submited to Sub Regional Support Office for South Asia Programme located in Delhi who are assisting Ministry in the implementation of the programme. 47
Mike Sites in India: Chirang Ripu (Assam) Dhang Patki (Assam) Eastern Dooars (West Bengal) Deomali (Arunachal Pradesh) Garo Hills (Meghalaya) Mayurbhanj (Orissa) Mysore (Karnataka) Nilgiri (Tamilnadu) Shivalik (Uttarakhand) Wayanad (Kerala) (Just have a look, no need to mug up). World Elephant Day: World Elephant day is celebrated on August 12. 48