11.

Wildlife Conservation Part II

11.1. Conservation of Elephants

• More than 60 per cent of the Asian elephant population is in India. While the tigers face the threat of
extinction, the Asian elephants (WPA: Sch I) face the threat of attrition (gradual reduction). Their num-
bers have not increased or decreased drastically, but there is increasing pressure on their habitats.
• Poaching and land-use changes remain major challenges to elephant populations. As both male and
female African elephants possess tusks, the impact of ivory poaching is especially severe. African
Forest Elephants (CR) have a more prolonged pregnancy than any other mammal — almost 22
months. This further compounds the challenge of conservation.

[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?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 4 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation

• African elephants are pregnant for an average of 22 months, whilst, for Asian elephants, it's 18 to
22 months.
• Karnataka (6000+) has the highest number of elephants in India, followed by Assam (5700+) and
Kerala (5700+).
• Most females give birth for the first time between 14 and 15 years old in African elephants, and slightly
later in Asian elephants. Fertility is constant between the ages of 16 and 40 and then declines slightly,
though females over 60 can still give birth.
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Answer: a) 1 and 2 only

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Asian Elephant vs African Elephant and African Forest Elephant vs African Savanna
(Bush) Elephant
• African Savannah (Bush) Elephant is the largest living terrestrial animal.
African Forest Elephant African Savannah (Bush) Elephant
 Habitat: Tropical forests of Central and Western Habitat: Savannah Grasslands and semi-arid re-
Africa. gions of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Tusks point downward. Tusks curve outward.

IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered IUCN Red List: Endangered
CMS: Appx II | CITES: Appx I (Bush Elephants of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe are
included in Appendix II).

Ecological Importance of Elephants

• The elephant was declared the National Heritage Animal of India in 2010. Elephants are a keystone
species. Their nomadic behaviour — the daily and seasonal migrations they make through their home
ranges — create an umbrella effect — preserving a large area for elephants to roam freely provides a
suitable habitat for many other animal and plant species of an ecosystem.
 Landscape architects: Elephants create clearings in the forest, preventing the overgrowth of certain
plant species, and allowing space for the regeneration of others, which in turn provide sustenance to
other animals.
 Seed dispersal: Elephants release the seeds when they defecate in other places as they travel.
 Nutrition: Elephant dung nourishes plants and acts as a breeding ground for insects.
 Water providers: In times of drought, they access the water by digging holes, which benefits other
wildlife. Further, their large footprints collect water when it rains, benefitting smaller creatures.
 Food chain: Apex predators like tigers will sometimes hunt young elephants. Further, elephant carcasses
provide food for other animals.

Elephant Corridor
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• Elephant corridors are linear, narrow, natural habitat linkages that allow elephants to move between
secure habitats without being disturbed by humans.
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• The Right of Passage, a study published by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in collaboration with
Project Elephant, has identified 101 elephant corridors across India. Most of these corridors are in
north-eastern India, followed by South India, central India, northern West Bengal and north-western
India.
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Threats to Elephant Corridors
• Habitat loss happens due to fragmentation and destruction caused by developmental activities like
mining, tourism, the construction of roads, railways, energised electric fencing, etc. Coal and iron ore
mining are the two biggest threats to elephant corridors in central and eastern India.
• Elephants need extensive grazing grounds, and most reserves cannot accommodate them. If protected
areas are not large enough, elephants may search for food elsewhere. This often results in human-
elephant conflict leading to loss of life (~400 humans are killed in encounters with elephants annually),
crops, and property.

Mitigation
 Fusion of the corridors with nearby protected areas wherever feasible.
 Prevention of further fragmentation of the continuous forest habitat by encroachment from urban areas.
 Declaration of the corridors as Ecologically Sensitive Areas or conservation reserves for protection.
 Securing the corridors by sensitising local communities and ensuring relocation voluntarily outside the
conflict zones to safer areas.

Project Elephant
• The centrally sponsored scheme Project Elephant was launched in 1992 to conserve the elephant pop-
ulation in their natural habitats. The objectives of the scheme include:
 Assisting states having populations of wild elephants.
 Ensuring the long-term survival of identified viable populations in their natural habitats.
 Addressing human-animal conflict.
 Developing scientific and planned management measures for the conservation of elephants.
 Protecting the elephants from poachers, preventing illegal ivory trade and other unnatural causes of
death.

Other Intitiatives
Haathi Mere Saathi
• Haathi Mere Saathi is a campaign launched by MoEF in partnership with the Wildlife Trust of India
(WTI). The campaign was launched at the “Elephant- 8” Ministerial meeting held in Delhi in 2011.
• The E-8 countries comprise of India, Botswana, the Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Kenya, Sri Lanka,
Tanzania, and Thailand. This public initiative was aimed at increasing awareness among people and
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developing friendship, and companionship between people and elephants.

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Project RE-HAB
• RE-HAB Project is an innovative way of preventing elephant–human conflicts without causing any
harm. It is demonstrated by Khadi and Village Industries Commission’s (KVIC). The project has sig-
 nificantly reduced elephants’ presence at places in Karnataka’s Kodagu district. It will soon be repli-
cated in all states affected by elephant attacks, like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh,
Assam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Under this project, bee boxes are used as a fence to prevent elephants from entering human habita-
tion. Elephants fear that the honeybees might sting them in their eyes and the inner side of the trunk.
Also, the buzz of the bees irritates the elephants the most.

Asian Elephant Alliance

• It is a collation of 5 NGOs
1. Elephant Family
2. International Fund for Animal Welfare
3. IUCN
4. Wildlife Trust of India
5. World land Trust
• It has come together to secure 96 out of the 101 existing corridors used by elephants across 12 States
in India.

IUCN Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG)

• AsESG is a global network of voluntary specialists concerned with the study, monitoring, management,
and conservation of Asian elephants. It is an integral part of the Species Survival Commission (SSC)
of the IUCN. Gajah is the bi-annual journal published by AsESG.
• AsESG provides the best available scientifically grounded evidence to the abundance, distribution, and
demographic status of Asian elephant populations in all 13 range states — Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cam-
bodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand,
and Vietnam.

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11.2. Conservation of Great One-Horned Rhino

• Rhinos are killed for their horns, which consist of keratin similar to human hair and nails and are used
in traditional medicines in Southeast Asia.

Rhino Species Across the World

• White Rhino and Black Rhino: found in Africa. Black Rhino is the smaller of the two.
• Javan Rhino: only a few survive in Java and Vietnam.
• Sumatran Rhino: Sumatran rhino is the smallest species of rhinoceros. 30 to 80 Sumatran rhinos re-
main in the world, mainly on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
• Great One-Horned Rhino: Only the Great One-Horned Rhino is found in India. It is the largest of
the rhino species (second in size only to the Asian elephant).
• Only about 24,500 rhinos survive in the wild. Of these, more than two-thirds are white rhinos.
• African and Sumatran rhinoceros have two horns, while the others (Indian and Javan) have a
single horn. The Indian rhino’s horn is present in both males and females.

India’s Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros

• Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Savannas & Shrublands.
• Distribution: Indian rhinos once ranged across northern parts of the Indian subcontinent. Now they
are confined to the Terai alluvial grasslands of India, Bhutan & Nepal.
• Populations: Kaziranga & Manas NPs & Pobitora WLS.
• Threats: Poached for its horn, habitat loss and habitat fragmentation, human-animal conflict.

• IUCN Red List: VU | CITES: Appx I | WPA: Schedule I

[UPSC 2019] Consider the following statements:
1. Asiatic lion naturally found in India only
2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only
3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only

Which one of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 only
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c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
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Explanation

• Asiatic Lions are is naturally found only in the Gir NP.

• Bactrian Camel (double-humped camel) is endemic to Central Asian Cold Deserts.

Answer: a) 1 only
Conservation Measures
 In 2005, Assam adopted the ambitious Indian Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020 program in partnership with
WWF India and the International Rhino Foundation.
 New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019 was announced for the conservation and protection of
the species by five rhino range nations (India, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia).
 GOI launched a project to create DNA profiles of all rhinos.
 National Rhino Conservation Strategy was launched in 2019 to conserve the Indian Rhino.

India Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020

• Concentrating so many rhinos in a single protected area like Kaziranga exposed the species to risks of
calamities (epidemics, floods, massive poaching attempts). Therefore in 2005, conservationists, along-
side the Bodoland Territorial Council and government of Assam, came together to develop a long-
term strategy to manage and protect the species. Their vision was to build a 3000 wild population of
Greater One Horned Rhinos by 2020, spread across 7 protected areas in Assam.
• Translocations are the backbone of the IRV 2020 program. Potential rhino habitat areas identified viz.
Manas NP (first site for the translocation of rhinos), Dibru Saikhowa WLS, Laokhowa-Bura Chapori
WLS with a viable rhino population through translocations from Kaziranga NP and Pobitora WLS.
• The Indian Rhino Vision 2020 ended with the release of two rhinos in Assam’s Manas NP trans-
ported from Pobitra WLS.

Evaluation of IRV 2020

• IRV 2020 is believed to have achieved its target of attaining a population of 3000 rhinos in Assam.
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With a viable Rhino population, Manas regained her (UNESCO) World Heritage Site status. But the
plan to spread the Rhinoceros across other protected areas beyond Kaziranga NP, Orang NP and
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Pobitra WLS could not fully materialise.

• Translocation to these wildlife areas remained a daunting task as the target sites remained vulnerable
to poaching [Link] was negligence towards security and health monitoring of the animals. Un-
checked tourism activities and road construction along the Indo-Bhutan border further compounded
the problem.
Way forward
• Rather than Manas, Assam must diversify its search areas to include the rhino range around Pobitora
and Amchang WLS. The Brahmaputra river channel from Kaziranga to Orang should also be de-
clared a rhino zone.

11.3. Conservation of the Indian Dolphins

Indian Dolphin Species

South Asian River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica)

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• South Asian River Dolphin (freshwater dolphin species) is divided into 2 sub-species.
 Ganges River Dolphin (P. g. gangetica)
 Indus River Dolphin (P. g. minor)
• Distribution: India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan.
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• Threats: Unintentional killing through entanglement in fishing gear, habitat loss and degradation – wa-
ter development projects (barrages, high dams, and embankments), pollution – industrial waste and
pesticides, municipal sewage discharge and noise from vessel traffic.
• IUCN: EN | CITES: Appx I | CMS: Appx I | WPA: Sch I
Ganges River Dolphin – Susu (P. g. gangetica)

• GOI recognised the Ganges River dolphin as its National Aquatic Animal in 2009. It is also the State
Aquatic Animal of Assam. Because of the sound it produces when breathing, the animal is popularly
referred to as the ‘Susu’. It is an indicator species for the river Ganga. It can only live in freshwater
and is essentially blind (blind dolphin). They hunt by emitting ultrasonic sounds.
• Distribution: Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna
• Only the Ganges River Dolphin is currently listed in Convention on Migratory Species.

Indus River Dolphin (P. g. minor)

• It is the State Aquatic Animal of Punjab.

• Habitat: Indus River in Pakistan and its Beas (only habitat of the Indus River Dolphin in India) and
Sutlej tributaries.

[UPSC 2015] Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?
a) Saltwater crocodile
b) Olive ridley turtle
c) Gangetic dolphin
d) Gharial

[UPSC 2014] Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the
population of Ganges River Dolphins?
1) Construction of dams and barrages on rivers
2) Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers
3) Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally
4) Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation 186

• ‘Susu’ shares its habitat with crocodiles (gharials), turtles and wetland birds, many of which are fish
eaters and are potential competitors with dolphins.
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Answer: c) 1, 3 and 4 only

[UPSC 2017] If you want to see gharials in their natural habitat, which is the best place to
visit?
a) Bhitarkanika Mangroves
b) Chambal River
 c) Pulicat Lake
d) Deepor Beel

Irrawady Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris)

• Habitat: brackish water near coasts, river mouths, and estuaries and in freshwater rivers, including
the Ganges, Mekong and Irrawaddy rivers.
• Distribution: Concentrated lagoon populations in India are found in Chilika Lake in Odisha.

• Threats: Human conflict, drowning in gillnets, etc.

• IUCN: EN | CITES: Appx I | CMS: Appx I | WPA: Sch I

Ganges River Dolphin Conservation Measures

 After the launch of Ganga Action Plan in 1985, GOI included Gangetic dolphins in the Sch I of the WPA,
1972. National Ganga Council was set up to save their population. Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin
Sanctuary (Bihar), only sanctuary for dolphin conservation, was created.
 In 2020, PM Modi announced the government’s plan to launch Project Dolphin. Such an initiative got
in-principal approval at the first meeting of the National Ganga Council (NGC), headed by the Prime
Minister. The proposed project is aimed at saving both river and marine dolphins.
 Conservation Action Plan for Gangetic Dolphin (2010-2020): identified threats to Gangetic Dolphins
and impact of river traffic, irrigation canals and depletion of prey-base on dolphin populations.
 Ganges River Dolphin is included among 21 species under the Integrated Development of Wildlife
Habitat.
 In 2009, the then PM while chairing the maiden meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority,
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declared the Gangetic River dolphin as the national aquatic animal.

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 The National Mission for Clean Ganga, which implements the government’s flagship scheme Namami
Gange, celebrates October 5 as National Ganga River Dolphin Day.

11.4. Conservation of Indian Crocodile Species

Crocodile vs Alligator vs Gharial

 Aspects Crocodiles Alligators Gharials
Family Crocodylidae Alligatoridae Gavialidae
Habitat Saltwater Freshwater Freshwater
Distribu- Throughout the US, Mexico and Gharial: Ganges and Indus; False gharial: Indo-
tion tropics China nesian Is.
Snout Pointed and V- Wide and U-shaped Long and thin snout
Shape shaped
Behaviour Aggressive Less Aggressive Very shy
Size Large Small Medium
Bite Force High Medium Low
Diet Opportunistic Opportunistic feed- Fish
feeders ers
Species 13 8 2

Indian Crocodile Species

Gharial (CR)
• Gharial (CR) are fish-eating freshwater crocodiles. They are amongst the longest of all living croco-
dilians. They once thrived in all the major rivers of the Indian subcontinent. Today, they are extinct in
the Indus, the Brahmaputra of Bhutan and Bangladesh, and in the Irrawaddy River.

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Habitat: clean rivers with sand banks.

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•
• Distribution: Only viable population is in the National Chambal Sanctuary spread across 3 states of
UP, Rajasthan & MP.
• Small non-breeding populations exist in Son, Gandak, Hoogly, Ghagra rivers & Satkosia WLS (Od-
isha).
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• Threats: combined effects of dams, barrages, artificial embankments, change in river course, pollution,
sandmining, riparian agriculture & ingress of domestic & feral livestock.
• IUCN: CR | CITES: Appx I | CMS: Appx I | WPA: Sch I
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Mugger/Indian Crocodile (VU)

• The mugger (marsh/Indian/Broad Snouted) crocodile (VU) is a freshwater species.
• Habitat: freshwater lakes, rivers and marshes, reservoirs, and slow-moving, shallow water bodies.
• Distribution: found throughout India. Extinct in Bhutan.
• Threats: Habitat destruction because of conversion of natural habitats for agricultural and industrial
use, sacrificed in superstitious practices or used as aphrodisiacs (any food or drug that arouses sexual
instinct).
• IUCN: VU | CITES: Appendix I | WPA: Schedule I

Saltwater Crocodile (LC)

• Saltwater Crocodile (LC) is the largest living reptile and crocodilian known to science.
• Habitat: saltwater habitats and brackish wetlands.

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Distribution: India’s east coast (Odisha’s Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Andaman and Nicobar
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•
Islands coasts and Sundarbans), across Southeast Asia and the Sundaic region to northern Australia.
• Threat: Hunted for its skin, illegal killing and habitat loss.
• IUCN: LC | CITES: Appendix I | WPA: Schedule I

Indian Crocodile Conservation Project

• The Indian Crocodile Conservation Project has pulled back the once threatened crocodilians from the
brink of extinction and placed them on a good path of recovery. Its objectives are:
 To protect the remaining population of crocodilians in their natural habitat by creating sanctuaries.
 To rebuild natural population quickly through ‘grow and release’ or ‘rear and release’ technique.
 To promote captive breeding — members of a wild species are captured, then bred and raised in a
special facility under the care of wildlife biologists and other experts. Bringing an animal into cap-
tivity may represent the last chance to preserve a species in the wild.

Madras Crocodile Bank Trust

• It is a reptile zoo and research station on the outskirts of Chennai. It has one of the world’s largest
collections of crocodiles and alligators.
• It was established to save Indian species of crocodile — the marsh or mugger crocodile (VU), the
saltwater crocodile (LC), and the gharial (CR). The place offers a secure nesting beach for olive ridley
sea turtles (VU) also.

11.5. Conservation of Turtles

• Threats faced by Indian turtles: poaching for consumption, illegal trade, habitat loss, pollution, etc.
Tortoise Turtle
Lives on land Lives in water
(land-dwelling) (water-dwelling)
Everything happens on land Come to land to lay eggs
Bad swimmers Good swimmers
(limbs are paddle shaped)
Herbivores (plant eating) Omnivores (they eat both meat and plants)
They usually have long life span (80-120 years). They usually have short life span (20-40 years).
They are generally large. They are generally smaller.
Their heads can completely withdraw into shells. Their heads can partially withdraw into shells.

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• All tortoises are turtles as they belong to the order Testudines/Chelonia (bodies encased in a bony
shell). Turtles are omnivores (eat both meat and plants). The only exception is the Green Turtle
(mostly herbivore).
 • Tortoises are generally larger in size. However, Leatherback Sea Turtles (VU), the largest of all living
turtles, can weight upto 500 kgs. Giant tortoises on the Galápagos Is. are the largest tortoises
weighting upto 415 kgs.
• Terrapins are almost a combination of turtles and tortoises that live mostly in water but can also
live on land.

Batagur Turtles Species

• Batagur is a genus of large river turtles from South and Southeast Asia. Major species include:
 Southern River Terrapin (CR): found in SE Asian rivers.
 Northern River Terrapin (CR): native to river deltas of Southeast Asia and Sundarbans.
 Painted Terrapin (CR): found in SE Asian rainforests.
 Three-Striped Roofed Turtle (CR): endemic to the Ganges.
 Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle (CR): endemic to the Ganges.
 Burmese Roofed Turtle (CR): Irrawaddy River of Myanmar.
• Southern River Terrapin (CR) and Northern River Terrapin (CR) are currently listed in CITES Appendix I.
The rest are listed in CITES Appendix II.

Northern River Terrapin (CR)

• It is one of Asia’s largest freshwater turtles.
• Distribution: river deltas of SE Asia and Sundarbans.
• IUCN: CR | CITES: Appendix I | WPA: Schedule I

Three-Striped Roofed Turtle (CR) 193

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• Habitat: nests on the sand banks of large rivers.

• Distribution: Ganges plains of India, Nepal & Bangladesh.
• IUCN: CR | CITES: Appendix II | WPA: Schedule I

Red-Crowned (Bengal) Roofed Turtle (CR)

• Males are smaller than females.
• Habitat: Ganga and Brahmaputra River basins.
• Distribution: substantial numbers found only in the National Chambal River Gharial Sanctuary.
• IUCN: CR | CITES: Appendix II | WPA: Schedule I

Nissilonia Turtle Species

• Nilssonia is a genus of freshwater softshell turtles found in South Asian rivers. Major species include:
 Burmese Peacock Softshell Turtle (CR): found in Myanmar and Karbi Anglong district of Assam.
 Leith's Softshell Turtle (CR): endemic to peninsular rivers.
 Black Softshell Turtle (CR): native to the lower Brahmaputra River. At present, only a few of them
survive in a human-made pond in Chittagong.
 Indian (Ganges) Softshell Turtle (EN): found in the waters of the Ganges, Indus, and Mahanadi.
 Indian Peacock Softshell Turtle (EN): found in the Indus, Ganges, and the Brahmaputra.
• Burmese peacock softshell turtle (CR) is currently listed in CITES Appendix II. The rest are listed in CITES
Appendix I.

Leith's Softshell Turtle (CR)

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• Distribution: peninsular Indian rivers.
• It is listed in Schedule IV WPA and its possession is an offence. WPA Act and protects it from hunting
and trade.
• IUCN: CR | CITES: Appendix I | WPA: Schedule IV

Black Softshell Turtle (CR)

• Habitat: Lower Brahmaputra River.
• Distribution: only a few of them survive in a human-made pond in Chittagong & temple ponds in NE
India.
• IUCN: CR | CITES: Appendix I | WPA: N/A

Indian (Ganges) Softshell Turtle (EN)

• It is distinguished by its flattened shell.
• Distribution: Ganges, Indus, and Mahanadi.
• IUCN: EN | CITES: Appendix I | WPA: Schedule I

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Indian Peacock Softshell Turtle (EN)

• Habitat: rivers, lakes & ponds with mud or sand bottoms.
• Distribution: Indus, Ganges, and the Brahmaputra.
• IUCN: EN | CITES: Appendix I | WPA: Schedule I
Indian Narrow (Small) Headed Softshell Turtle (EN)
• Unlike the other softshell turtle species, Indian Narrow Headed Softshell Turtle belongs to genus Chitra.
• It is one of the largest freshwater turtles. Just like other softshell turtles, it uses its flexible shell to dig
itself deep into sandy bottoms, waiting for its potential prey.
• Distribution: Sutlej, Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Mahanadi, Padma etc.
• IUCN: EN | CITES: Appendix II | WPA: Schedule IV

Sea Turtle Species

• The seven known sea turtle species in the decreasing order of their size: Leatherback > Green > Log-
gerhead > Hawksbill > Flatback (endemic to the sandy beaches of the Australian continental shelf) >
Olive Ridley > Kemp’s Ridley.
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Hawksbill Sea Turtle (CR)

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• It is migratory and nesting occurs insular sandy beaches.

• Distribution: In India, they are found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the coast of Tamil Nadu and
Orissa.
• IUCN: CR | CITES: Appx I | CMS: Appendix I | WPA: Sch I
 Credits: Turtle-Foundation

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Kemp's (Atlantic) Ridley Sea Turtle (CR)

• It is the world’s rarest and the smallest sea [Link]'s Ridley and Olive Ridley Turtles are known
for ARRIBADA — synchronized, large-scale nesting.
• Distribution: subtropical to temperate Northern Atlantic.
• IUCN: CR | CITES: Appendix I | CMS: Appx I | WPA: N/A
Green Sea Turtle (EN)
• It is the only herbivore turtle specie.
• Distribution: tropical and subtropical seas; rare in India.
• IUCN: EN | CITES: Appx I | CMS: Appx I | WPA: Sch I

Leatherback Sea Turtle (VU)

• It is the largest of the living sea turtles (250-700 kg).
• Distribution: tropical and temperate seas and oceans.
• Threats: artificial lighting disorients hatchlings and causes them to migrate inland.
• IUCN: VU | CITES: Appx I | CMS: Appx I | WPA: Sch I

Loggerhead Sea Turtle (VU)

• Distribution: tropical and temperate seas and oceans.
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• IUCN: VU | CITES: Appx I | CMS: Appx I | WPA: Sch I

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Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (VU)

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• They are best known for their synchronized nesting. Most of them migrate every winter to Indian
coastal waters for nesting, mainly at the eastern coast. Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary and Rushikulya
Rookery Coast are the main Nesting sites in India.

• Distribution: warm tropical seas and oceans.

• Threats: unsustainable egg collection, slaughtering nesting females on the beach, and direct harvesting
adults at sea for commercial sale of both the meat and hides, etc.
• IUCN: VU | CITES: Appx I | CMS: Appx I | WPA: Sch I

[UPSC 2013] Consider the following fauna of India:

1) Gharial
2) Leatherback turtle
3) Swamp deer

Which of the above is/are endangered?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) None
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Explanation
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• Gharials are ‘Critically Endangered’. Swamp deer (barasingha) (VU) and Leatherback turtle are
‘Vulnerable’.
 Answer: d) none

Sea Turtle Conservation Project

• With the objective of conservation of olive ridley turtles (VU) and other endangered marine turtles,
MoEF initiated the Sea Turtle Conservation Project in collaboration of UNDP in 1999 with Wildlife
Institute of India (WII), Dehradun as the Implementing Agency. The project is being implemented in
10 coastal states of the country, with special emphasis in Odisha.
• The project has helped in the preparation of an inventory map of breeding sites of Sea Turtles, identifi-
cation of nesting and breeding habitats along the shoreline, and migratory routes taken by Sea Turtles,
etc.
• One of the important achievements have been demonstration of use of Satellite Telemetry to locate the
migratory route of Olive Ridley Turtles in the sea and sensitizing the fishermen and State Government
for the use of Turtle Exclusion Device (TED) in fishing trawlers to check turtle mortality in fishing net.

11.6. Conservation of Indian Vultures

• India is the most favourable region for vultures. Hindus do not eat cows, and when a cow dies, it is left
to be fed on by vultures. India also has high species diversity, and hence vultures get a lot of food.
• Nine species of vulture can be found in India. Most are in danger of extinction due to a veterinary
drug called diclofenac (vultures do not have a particular enzyme required to break down diclofenac).

Diclofenac and Indian Vulture Crisis

• Diclofenac is a common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID – works like steroids, but with-
out as many side effects) administered to livestock and is used to treat the symptoms of inflammation,
fevers and/or pain associated with disease or wounds. It leads to renal failure in vultures damaging
their excretory system (direct inhibition of uric acid secretion in vultures).
• Gyps species were the most affected by diclofenac:
 The population of the White-Rumped Vulture fell 99.7% between 1993 and 2002.
 The populations of the Indian Vulture and the Slender-Billed Vulture fell 97.4%.
• 2 other species of Gyps, Himalayan Vulture and Eurasian Griffon, were less affected because they
come to India only in winters. They are exclusively mountain-dwelling and hence less vulnerable to
diclofenac contamination.
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Consequences of Depopulation of Vultures

Vultures played an important role in public sanitation. The carcasses formerly eaten by vultures’ rot in
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village fields leading to contaminated drinking water. Their disappearance has resulted in an explo-
sion of rats and wild dogs and the spread of diseases. The newly abundant scavengers are not as
efficient as vultures. A vulture’s metabolism is a true “dead-end” for pathogens, but dogs and rats
become carriers of the pathogens. They carry diseases from rotting carcasses such as rabies, anthrax,
plague etc.
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India Vultures Species

• Indian vulture species are old world vultures — found in the Old-World continents of Europe, Asia, and
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Africa. They belong to Accipitridae family.

White-Rumped Vulture (CR)

• Was once very common in the Gangetic plains of India.
• IUCN: CR | CMS: Appendix I | WPA: Schedule I
Red-Headed Vulture (CR)

• It is also known as the Asian King Vulture, Indian Black Vulture or Pondicherry Vulture.
• IUCN: CR | CMS: Appendix I | WPA: Schedule IV

Indian (Long-Billed) Vulture (CR)

• It is native to India, Pakistan, and Nepal.
• IUCN: CR | CMS: Appendix I | WPA: Schedule I

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Slender-Billed Vulture (CR)
• It is native to sub-Himalayan region and Southeast Asia.
• IUCN: CR | CMS: Appendix I | WPA: Schedule I

Egyptian Vulture (EN)

• IUCN: EN | CMS: Appendix I | WPA: Schedule IV

Himalayan (Griffon) Vulture (NT)

• It is native to the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau.
• IUCN: NT | CMS: Appendix II | WPA: Schedule IV

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Bearded Vulture (NT)
• It lives and breeds on the high mountains.
• IUCN: NT | CMS: Appendix II | WPA: Schedule IV

Cinereous Vulture (NT)

• Distributed throughout Eurasia.
• IUCN: NT | CMS: Appendix II | WPA: Schedule IV

(Eurasian) Griffon Vulture (LC)

• IUCN: LC | CMS: Appendix II | WPA: Schedule IV

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Major Non-Indian Vulture Species
White-Backed Vulture (CR)
• IUCN: CR | CMS: Appendix I | WPA: Schedule IV

Ruppell’s (Griffon) Vulture (CR)

• It is native to the Sahel region and East Africa.
• IUCN: CR | CMS: Appendix I | WPA: Schedule IV

Steps Taken by The Government

 The vulture species are conserved under Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) ‘Spe-
cies Recovery Programme’.
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 The Protection status of White-Rumped, Long-Billed (Indian Vulture) and Slender Billed Vultures
was upgraded from Sch IV to Sch I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The rest of the vulture species
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remain in Schedule IV.

 Vulture Restaurants are created where tables are reserved only for the unique and rare vultures by
Maharashtra and Punjab Forest departments.
 Central Zoo Authority and Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) led the establishment of the
Vulture Conservation Breeding Programme (has been highly successful).
 Vulture Safe Zones are created to conserve the remaining population and facilitate reintroduction of
vultures into the wild from Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres.
 Recently, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare banned the manufacture, sale, and distribu-
tion of ketoprofen and aceclofenac and their formulations for animal use under the Drugs and Cos-
metics Act, 1940.

Diclofenac Alternative
 Diclofenac was banned for veterinary use in India in 2006. A replacement drug Meloxicam was
quickly developed and tested. It affects cattle the same way as diclofenac but is harmless for vultures.
Diclofenac for human use is still being diverted for veterinary uses through black markets.

Vulture Safety Zones (VSZ)

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• Aim of developing VSZs is to establish targeted awareness activities surrounding 150 km radius of
vultures’ colonies so that no diclofenac or the veterinary toxic drugs are found in cattle carcasses.
• The VSZ is spread around in several hundred kilometres covering the Jim Corbett in Uttarakhand,
Dudhwa and Kartamiaghat forest reserves in UP which is adjoining the Indo-Nepal border. Nepal has
already set up many VSZ on the Indian borders.

Action Plan for Vulture Conservation in India 2020-25

• Action Plan for Vulture Conservation (APVC) 2006 was released to save the vultures from possible
extinction. The main objective was the removal of diclofenac from the food chain. The plan was ex-
tended to 2025 aiming not just halting the decline but to actively increase the vulture numbers in India.
Main objectives are to:
1) ensure that sale of veterinary Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is strictly regu-
lated.
2) carry out safety testing of available molecules of veterinary NSAIDs on vultures and to introduce
new molecules in the market only after they are proved to be safe following safety testing on vul-
tures.
3) Include drugs other than diclofenac that are toxic to vultures like Aceclofenac and Ketoprofen to
be banned for veterinary use.
4) cover all 9 species of vultures recorded from India.
5) have at least 1 vulture safe zone in each state.

Vulture Safe Zones

 Vulture Safe Zones are created to conserve the remaining population and facilitate reintroduction of
vultures into the wild from Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres.

Other Steps Taken for Vulture Conservation

 The vulture species are conserved under Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) ‘Spe-
cies Recovery Programme’.
 Central Zoo Authority and Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) led the establishment of the Vul-
ture Conservation Breeding Programme (has been highly successful).

11.7. Other National Efforts

Project Hangul (Kashmiri Stag)

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• The Hangul/Kashmiri Stag (CR) is a subspecies of Central Asian Red Deer native to northern India. It
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was the state animal of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir. In Kashmir, it is found in Dachigam NP at eleva-
tions of 3,035 meters.
• These deer once numbered from about 5,000 animals in the beginning of the 20th century. They are
now threatened due to habitat destruction, over-grazing by domestic livestock and poaching. The spe-
cies dwindled to as low as 150 animals by 1970.
• The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, along with the IUCN and the WWF prepared Project Han-
gul for the protection of these animals and the population increased to over 340 by 1980. According to
the census in 2019, there were only 237 Hanguls.

Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats

• Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) is an on-going Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Un-
der IDWH, financial assistance is provided to State/UTs for protection and conservation of wildlife.

Components of the Scheme

1. Support to Protected Areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation and Community Re-
serves)
2. Protection of Wildlife Outside Protected Areas
3. Species Recovery Programmes for saving Indian critically endangered species and habitats.

22 Indian Critically Endangered (Locally) Species Under Species Recovery Programme

• IDWH provides financial assistance for the conservation of the 22 species included in Indian (locally)
critically endangered list.

Mammals

1. Hangul (Kashmir Stag – CR)

2. Malabar Civet (CR)
3. Asian Wild Water Buffalo (EN)
4. Asiatic Lion (EN)
5. Brow-Antlered Deer / Sangai / Eld's Deer (EN)
6. Nilgiri Tahr (EN)
7. Red Panda (EN)
8. Clouded Leopard (VU)
9. Indian Rhino / Great One-Horned Rhinoceros (VU)
10. Snow Leopard (VU)
11. Swamp Deer / Barasingha (VU)
12. Caracal Cat (LC) (most recent addition to the list)

Marine Mammals 210

1. Dugong (VU)
2. Gangetic River Dolphin (EN)
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Birds

1. Great Indian Bustard (CR)

2. Jerdon’s Courser (CR)
3. Nicobar Megapode (VU)
4. Edible Nest Swiftlet (LC)
 5. Vultures (all species found in India)

Reptiles

1. Arabian Sea Humpback Whale (EN) (it is a subpopulation of Humpback Whales (LC))
2. Marine Turtles
3. Northern River Terrapin (CR)

Animal Welfare Board of India

• Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) (not to be confused with National Board for Wildlife) is a
statutory advisory body advising the government on animal welfare laws & promotes animal welfare
in India. It was established under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
• AWBI functions under the aegis of Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MFAHD –
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying). (The subject of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
was transferred from MoEF to MFAHD in 2019). Well-known humanitarian Rukmini Devi Arundale
((1904-1986) an eminent Bharatanatyam dancer) was instrumental in setting up the board.
• The board is highly concerned about “abuse of animals in research” and “cruelty involved when
animals were used in entertainment”. It oversees Animal Welfare Organizations (AWOs) by grant-
ing recognition to them. It also provides financial assistance to recognized AWOs.
• In 2014, in AWBI vs A. Nagaraja, the SC declared jallikattu illegitimate stating that the practice was
cruel and caused the animal unnecessary pain and suffering.

[UPSC 2014] Consider the following statements:

1) Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
2) National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body.
3) National Ganga River Basin Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

a) 1 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 2 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the statutory body constituted in the MoEF
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•
under ‘Rules 1989’, under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
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• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is a statutory board constituted under the Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972.
• Animal Welfare Board of India is established in the MoEF and was transferred to MFAHD in 2019.
It derives its powers under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

Answer: b) 2 and 3 only

National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) 2017-2031
• 1st NWAP was adopted in 1983. 2nd NWAP was put in place for the period (2002-2016). 3rd NWAP is
for the period 2017-31. It has 5 components & 103 conservation actions.
• NWAP adopts the landscape approach of conservation by emphasizing on preservation of genetic
diversity and sustainable utilization of species and ecosystem. It underscores the role of private
sector in the wildlife protection by ensuring adequate fund flow from the Corporate Social Responsi-
bility (CSR) fund.

Components of 3rd NWAP (2017 – 2031)

1. Integrated management of wildlife and their habitats and wildlife conflict mitigation.
2. Adaptation to climate change and promoting integrated sustainable management of aquatic biodi-
versity.
3. Promoting eco-tourism, nature education and participatory management.
4. Strengthening wildlife research and development of human resources in wildlife conservation.
5. Enabling policies and resources for conservation of wildlife in India.

Landscape Approach to Conservation

• It is a holistic approach to landscape management, aiming to reconcile the competing objectives
of nature conservation and economic activities across a given landscape.
• It is based on the importance of conservation of natural flora and fauna (uncultivated flora and un-
domesticated fauna) that had ecological value irrespective of their place of occurrence.
• It can be seen as an alternative to site-based conservation i.e., strategies more concentrated on
national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

National Action Plan for Conservation of Migratory Birds (2018-2023)

• MOEF has developed the plan for Conservation of Migratory Birds and their Habitats along Central
Asian Flyway (CAF) for the period 2018-23.
• Longer-term goal is to arrest population decline and secure habitats of migratory bird species. In the
short run the plan seeks to halt the downward trends in declining meta-populations by 2027.

Central Asian Flyway (CAF)

• Flyways are used by groups of birds during their annual cycle which includes breeding areas, stop
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over areas and wintering areas. Many of these areas are used by birds are highly productive and also
enable benefits to local people.
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• The Central Asian Flyway (CAF) is one among the nine flyways identified under Convention on Migra-
tory Species.
• Route Extent: Russia (Siberia) to the southernmost non-breeding (wintering) grounds in West and
South Asia, the Maldives and British Indian Ocean Territory. India has a strategic role in the flyway,
as it provides critical stopover sites to >90% of the bird species known to use this route.
Green Good Deeds Initiative
• The MoEF coordinates a Central Sector Scheme called ‘Environment Education, Awareness and
Training’. This ‘Green Good Deeds’ initiative is about simple, practical steps that students/teachers/cit-
izens can perform in their day-to-day life towards protection of environment.
• A component of this scheme is the National Green Corps (NGC) programme. Under NGC, 1.5 lakh Eco
Clubs have been established in schools/colleges across the country. Students are actively involved in the
NGC programmes related to environment protection and conservation.
• Activities of EcoClubs include conducting cleanliness drives as part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, planta-
tion drives, awareness on waste minimization, waste segregation, etc.

Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)

• BNHS, founded in 1883, is one of the largest NGOs in India engaged in conservation and biodiversity
research. It supports many research efforts through grants and publishes the Journal of the BNHS.
• Many prominent naturalists, including the ornithologists Sálim Ali & S. Dillon Ripley, have been asso-
ciated with BNHS.

11.8. International Efforts

World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)

• WWF is an NGO established in 1961 and is headquartered at Gland, Switzerland. It was formerly named
the World Wildlife Fund. It works in the field of wilderness preservation, & the reduction of human
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impact on environment.
WWF aims to “stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in
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which humans live in harmony with nature.”

Initiatives by WWF
 The Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network (TRAFFIC, an NGO) is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN.
 Living Planet Report has been published every two years by WWF since 1998.
 WWF has launched notable worldwide campaigns like Earth Hour and Debt-for-Nature Swap.

Earth Hour

• Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the WWF since 2007. It encourages people to
switch off the lights from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm as per their local time every year on the last Saturday
of March. The idea is to refrain from the use of non-essential lighting to save energy in a symbolic call
for environmental protection.
• Earth Hour has been successful in pursuing legislative changes by harnessing the power of the people
and collective action. For example, it helped create a 3.5-million-hectare marine-protected area in Ar-
gentina and ban all plastics in the Galapagos in 2014, etc.

Debt-for-Nature Swap

• It is a transaction where a country has its debt purchased, renegotiated, or forgiven by its creditors (fully
or partially) with the condition that savings on debt are invested in environmental conservation
activities.

[UPSC 2014] With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the fol-
lowing statements:
1) It is an autonomous organization under the MoEF.
2) It strives to conserve nature through action-based research, education and public awareness.
3) It organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3

[UPSC 2014] Consider the following statements regarding ‘Earth Hour’

1. It is an initiative of UNEP and UNESCO.
2. It is a movement in which the participants switch off the lights for one hour on a certain day every
year.
3. It is a movement to raise the awareness about the climate change and the need to save the planet.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
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a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 only
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c) 2 and 3 only.
d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: c)
Similar Topic: Earth Day Network (EDN) & Earth Day
 • Earth Day is an annual event, organized on April 22 since 1970 by Earth Day Network (EDN, an
NGO) to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental movement worldwide. In the year 2020,
the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day was celebrated. The theme for Earth Day 2020 was climate
action.

International Whaling Commission (IWC)

• IWC is a non-UN body set up by terms of Internal Convention for Regulation of Whaling (ICRW). Its
headquarters is in the United Kingdom. It provides for the proper conservation of whale stocks and
orderly development of the whaling industry. It can designate areas as whaling sanctuaries. E.g., In-
dian Ocean Whale Sanctuary (Seychelles)
• Participation in IWC is not limited to states involved in Whaling. India is a member.
• In 1982 it adopted Moratorium on Commercial Whaling. Whaling under Scientific Research and
aboriginal subsistence provisions of ICRW are still allowed.
• Florianopolis Declaration: In 2018, IWC members gathered in Florianopolis (Brazil), where they rejected
proposal by Japan to renew Commercial Whaling. As a result, Japan announced its withdrawal.

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