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 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES (C) REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS: 4.The Gliding Frog (Rhacophorus pseudomalabaricus) The Gliding Frog The Gliding Frog (Rhacophorus pseudomalabaricus) is endemic to the Western Ghats. This species is confined to the rain forests of the Western Ghats and occurs at elevations of greater than 1000m. This species has been recently described in the year 2000. CONSERVATION STATUS: Critically Endangered. HABITAT: Rainforests above 1000m altitude. DISTRIBUTION: Indira Gandhi National Park and surrounding areas of Anamalai hills, Tamil Nadu. THREATS: Conversion of forested areas for timber and non-timber plantations, and timber extraction activities. ALSO READ: Four-toed River Terrapin

 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES (C) REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS  3. Four-toed River Terrapin or River Terrapin (Batagur baska) Four-toed River Terrapin Four-toed river terrapin or Northern River terrapin (Batagur baska) is a critically endangered turtle. The omnivorous diet of the river terrapin and other terrapin species, makes them an essential part of the effi cient clean-up systems of aquatic habitats. CONSERVATION STATUS: Critically Endangered. HABITAT: Freshwater rivers and lakes. DISTRIBUTION: Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia. THREATS: Use of flesh for medicinal purposes, demand for eggs, which are considered a delicacy. ALSO READ: Leatherback turtles.

 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES (C) REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS: 2. Leatherback Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) Leatherback Turtles Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are the largest of living sea turtles weighing as much as 900 kg. Adult leatherback turtles are excellent swimmers – they swim on an average of 45-65 km a day, travel upto 15,000 km per year and can dive as deep as 1200 m. Jelly fish are their primary prey. The population spikes of leatherbacks coincide with abundance of jelly fish, making them important top-predators in marine environments. CONSERVATION STATUS: Critically Endangered HABITAT: Tropical and subtropical oceans. DISTRIBUTION: Found in tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. THREATS: High sea fi shing operations, harvesting of eggs, destruction of nests by wild species and domesticated species such as cats, dogs and pigs. Artifi cial lighting disorients hatchlings and adult and causes them to migrate inland rather th...

 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES (C) REPTILES AND MAMMALS: 1. The Gharial  The Gharial The Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is the most uniquely evolved crocodilian in the world, a specialized river-dwelling fish-eater. The dire condition of the gharial reflects the tragedy of our rivers where we stand to not only lose other endangered taxa such as the Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) but also the use of their waters for human consumption and other needs. CONSERVATION STATUS: Critically Endangered HABITAT: Clean rivers with sand banks. DISTRIBUTION: Only viable population in the National Chambal Sanctuary, spread across three States of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in India. Small non-breeding populations exist in Son, Gandak, Hoogly and Ghagra rivers. Now extinct in Myanmar, Pakistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh. THREATS: The combined effects of dams, barrages, artificial embankments, change in river course, pollution, sand-mining, ri...

 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES (B) MAMMALS: 1. The Pygmy hog The Pygmy hog The Pygmy hog (Porcula salvania) is the world’s smallest wild pig, with adults weighing only 8 kg. This species constructs a nest throughout the year. It is one of the most useful indicators of management status of grassland habitats. The grasslands where the pygmy hog resides are crucial for the survival of other endangered species such as Indian rhinoceros ( Rhinoceros unicornis ), swamp deer ( Cervus duvauceli ), wild buffalo ( Bubalus arnee ), hispid hare ( Caprolagus hispidus ), Bengal florican ( Eupodotis bengalensis ) and swamp francolin ( Francolinus gularis ). In 1996, a captive-breeding programme of the species was initiated in Assam, and some hogs have been reintroduced in Sonai Rupai area also in 2009. CONSERVATION STATUS: Endangered HABITAT: Relatively undisturbed tall ‘terai’ grasslands. DISTRIBUTION: Formerly, the species was more widely distributed along the southern Himalayan foothills but ...

 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES (A) BIRDS: 5. BENGAL FLORICAN (Houbaropsis bengalensis) Bengal Florican Bengal Florican is a rare bustard species that is very well known for its mating dance. Among the tall grasslands, secretive males advertise their territories by springing from the ground and fl itting in the air to and fro. CONSERVATION STATUS: Critically Endangered HABITAT: Grasslands sometimes intersperesd with scrublands.  DISTRIBUTION: Native to only 3 countries in the world - Cambodia, India and Nepal. In India, it occurs in 3 States namely Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. THREATS: Ongoing conversion of the bird’s grassland habitat for various purposes including agriculture is mainly responsible for its population decline. ALSO READ: Vultures

 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES (A) BIRDS:  4. VULTURES Vultures Out of nine species of vultures, population of three species ( White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis , Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris and Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus ) have declined by 99%. 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 tower of silence. Varying vultures have different conservation statuses. The three species ( White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis , Slender-billed Vulture   Gyps tenuirostris and Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus ) are now classified as critically endangered. Long-billed Vulture Slender-billed Vulture White-backed Vulture Habitat: Forests, habitation, villages etc. Distribution: Across India. Threats: A major threat to vultures is the...

 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES (A) BIRDS: 3. WHITE-BELLIED HERON  (Ardea insignis) White-bellied Heron It is is an extremely rare bird found in five or six sites in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, one or two sites in Bhutan, and a few in Myanmar. It is inherently rare, and populations have never been known to be very high. The white-bellied heron is a large bird with a height of 127 cm. Its wingspan is estimated to be over 200 cm. The back and the long neck are dark grey in color. The belly plumage is whitish. The bill is large and black in color. CONSERVATION STATUS: Critically Endangered HABITAT: Rivers with sand or gravel bars or inland lakes. DISTRIBUTION: Bhutan and north-east India to the hills of Bangladesh and north Myanmar. THREATS: Loss and degradation of lowland forest and wetlands through direct exploitation and disturbance. Also Read: The Forest Owlet

 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES (A) BIRDS: 2. The Forest Owlet  (Heteroglaux blewitti) The Forest Owlet They are an exclusive species to India and can only be found there in tiny areas of forest. In the 1880s, the bird was first discovered. After then, nobody brought up these birds at all for almost a century. The cavity is used by the forest owlets to hide their prey. It is known as cashing. When not sighted for decades, posters were printed and Salim Ali, the premier ornithologist of India made a public appeal to look for the bird. After 113 long years, in 1997, the owlet was rediscovered and reappeared on the list of Indian birds. CONSERVATION STATUS: Endangered Habitat: Dry decidous forest Distribution: South Madhya Pradesh, in north-west Maharashtra and north-central Maharashtra. Threats: Logging operations, burning and cutting of trees damage roosting and nesting trees of the Forest Owlet. Also Read: The Jerdon's Courser 

  Image : Worldwildlife Wetlands the most biologically productive ecosystems on Earth are areas of land where the water level is at or near the surface of the ground for at least part of the year. They are characterized by the presence of water-loving plants and soils that are saturated or inundated with water. Wetlands can include marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens, and they can be found in both freshwater and saltwater environments.

Heatwaves and its effects on India   Prelims: Climate Change, Air mass. Mains (GS3): Conservation, environmental Pollution, Climate Change WHAT IS A HEATWAVE? A heatwave is a period of unusually hot weather with above-normal temperatures that typically lasts for 3 or more days. A heat wave is a situation of high air temperature that, when experienced by a person, is fatal. The period of heatwave in India is mainly during March to June and in some rare cases even in July. The peak month of the heat wave over India is May. It is the third biggest natural killer in India, with 2,040 people dying of them in 2015. The prescription given by IMD suggests that a heatwave is considered if the maximum temperature at a station reaches at least 40 degrees Celsius for plains, at least 37 degrees Celsius for coastal stations, and at least 30 degrees Celsius for hilly areas. Credit : Gyan Shahane CRITERIA: If normal maximum temperature is  ≤40 degrees Celsius, then an inc...

Protecting the Hornbills from the Ills of Climate change   Prelims: CBD, Invasive plants in news Mains (GS3): Climate Change, Invasive plants and Mitigation What are invasive alien species? Invasive alien species (IAS) are non-native organisms that have been introduced to a new habitat, either accidentally or intentionally, and have the ability to spread rapidly and cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. These species can include plants, animals, and microorganisms. Invasive alien species often have a competitive advantage over native species because they lack natural predators or diseases in their new habitat. They can quickly establish themselves and outcompete native species for resources such as food, water, and space. This can lead to the decline or extinction of native species, which can have cascading effects on the ecosystem. An invasive species,  Senna spectabilis , an exotic tree, has taken over between 800 and 1,200 hectares of the buffe...

 What are Critically endangered species? A species that has been designated as having a dangerously high risk of extinction in the wild is known as a critically endangered species. This indicates that they are in danger of going extinct entirely because their population has drastically decreased. The Kemp's ridley sea turtle, brown spider monkey, Chinese alligator, black rhinoceros, and many other species are examples of critically endangered species. The Red List of Endangered Species, maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), classifies species according to the degree of risk. (A) BIRDS: 1) The Jerdon's Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus): The Jerdon's Courser The Jerdon's courser is a nocturnal, cursorial bird, mostly active at night, and like lapwings and other coursers, it prefers to walk, although it can fly quite well. Only the northern region of the state of Andhra Pradesh in peninsular India contains it. It is a signature species fo...

  Meloca nna baccifera is a tropical bamboo species also called " Muli " in North East India. It is one of the largest fruit producing Bamboo and native to NorthEast India-Myanmar region. Melocanna baccifera The Bamboo grows in a tropical-subtropical climate and It is most useful in its native range especially in Bangladesh. Recently, This bamboo was on the headlines for attracting predators like Bats, Rats, etc., See basically these Bamboos during its gregarious flowering season produces edible fruits which have the size and shape of pear. The Problem with the fruit? Predators like Bat, Rats line up in large numbers to consume these fruits. Previously Scientists were of the opinion that the animals are getting attracted towards the fruit for its high protein. But a recent research has revealed that the sweet nature of these fruits which is nothing but sugars are the reasons for its familiarity among animals. Fruit Chemistry an interesting subfield of chemistry is on rage no...

Koronivia joint work on Agriculture (KJWA)  gains it's importance as India opposes the draft text on agriculture, saying the rich developed nations do not want to change their lifestyle to reduce emissions and are "searching for cheaper solutions abroad" It also cited that " developed countries are blocking a pro-poor and pro-farmer decision by insisting on expanding the scope of mitigation to agriculture, thereby comprising the very foundation of food security in the world". [Source: PTI] What is Koronivia Joint work on Agriculture: Agriculture occupies a central position when it comes to climate change. It is both highly vulnerable to the impacts of Climate change inspite being a net contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In light of this discussions began in 2011 and Koronivia Joint work on Agriculture (KJWA) was established during COP23, 2017 to work on a solution. The KJWA is the only programme under UNFCCC to focus on Agriculture and Fo...

Protecting the Hornbills from the Ills of Climate change   Prelims: Climate Change, Kalahari desert, Hornbills. Mains: Climate Change, Mitigation Strategies     Rapid climate change has the potential to strongly influence the physiology, behaviour and breeding success of animals. Research frequently point to the fact that increasing temperatures, for instance, are having negative effect on animals. These range from mass die-off events during heat waves to less obvious problems like difficulty in finding food.    For birds like hornbills in Arid Zones, rising temperatures pose a significant problem. Birds in these dry zones usually breed in response to rainfall, which often occurs during the hottest time of the year. Research suggests that high temperatures over a few days or weeks can have negative effects on foraging and body mass. This can lead to reducing the condition of offspring or the probability that young birds will survive to adulthood and ...

      மத்திய சுற்றுச்சூழல், வனம் மற்றும் காலநிலை மாற்றம் அமைச்சகம், அண்மையில் வெளியிடப்பட்ட சுற்றுச்சூழல் செயல்திறன் குறியீடு 2022-க்கு மறுப்பு தெரிவித்துள்ளது. சுற்றுச்சூழல் செயல்திறன் குறியீடு 2022 அடிப்படை ஆதாரமற்ற மற்றும் அறிவியல்பூர்வமற்ற முறையிலும், வெற்று யூகங்களின் அடிப்படையிலும் வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ளதாக தெரிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.   புதிய குறியீடு, மிகக்குறைந்த கரியமில வாயு உமிழ்வு தொடர்பான வரலாற்று தரவுகளை மறைத்துள்ளது. விவசாயிகள் அதிகம் உள்ள வளரும் நாடுகளுக்கு, மண் ஆரோக்கியம், வேளாண் பல்லுயிர், உணவு இழப்பு மற்றும் கழிவுகள் உள்ளிட்டவை முக்கியமானவை. இவை புதிதாக வெளியிடப்பட்டுள்ள, சுற்றுச்சூழல் செயல்திறன் குறியீடு 2022 சேர்க்கப்படவில்லை. மேற்கூறிய பல்வேறு காரணங்களால், சுற்றுச்சூழல் செயல்திறன் குறியீடு 2022-க்கு, மத்திய சுற்றுச்சூழல் வனம் மற்றும் காலநிலை அமைச்சகம் மறுப்பு தெரிவித்துள்ளது. செய்தி மூலம்: PIB

The European bison is back from the edge of extinction, and Białowieża has the continent’s largest population. Michał Żmihorski , Author provided Katarzyna Nowak , University of Warsaw ; Bogdan Jaroszewicz , University of Warsaw , and Michał Żmihorski , Polish Academy of Sciences Poland is planning to build a wall along its border with Belarus, primarily to block migrants fleeing the Middle East and Asia. But the wall would also divide the vast and ancient Białowieża Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage site which harbours more than 12,000 animal species and includes the largest remnants of primeval forest that once covered most of lowland Europe. Frontiers like this are of conservation priority because they often host unique biodiversity and ecosystems but are increasingly threatened by border fortification . We are experts in forest ecosystems and two of us combined have more than three decades of experience working in Białowieża, at the...

When cities were Nature’s haven: a tale from Bangalore Bangalore has a long lasting love history with nature. Eirik Refsdal/Wikimedia , CC BY-ND Harini Nagendra , Azim Premji University We tend to think that nature and cities are polar opposites. Yet this is not true. As my research on Bangalore or Bengaluru – India’s IT hub – shows, for centuries, the population of this region grew because of nature, not despite it. In my book Nature in the City: Bengaluru in the Past, Present and Future , I take a deep dive into the ecological history of an Indian city, going way back in the past to the 6th century CE. Inscriptions on stone and copper plates show that the starting point for a new village was often the creation of a tank, or lake, to collect rain water – essential and life-giving in this unfavourable low-rainfall environment. These inscriptions provide fascinating insights into the close relationship that these early residents ha...