Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the range, habitat, and ecology of various animals listed under WPA 1972.
- Identify the major threats contributing to the status of these animals.
- Recognize the conservation needs and challenges of endangered species.
- Gain insight into the diversity of fauna across different ecological zones in India.
This section covers a diverse list of animals ranging from various ecosystems, specifying their habitat, ecology, range, and threats.
Category: Least Concern
Range: Andaman Islands
Habitat & Ecology: From temperate to tropical habitats.
Major Threat: Habitat destruction and hunting pressure.
Category: Least Concern
Range: Bhutan, China, Northern India, Northern Myanmar, Nepal, Northern Pakistan.
Habitat & Ecology: Found in high mountains (2500-5500 m), prefers open grass slopes and avoids forest areas.
Major Threat: Competition with livestock and habitat destruction due to livestock grazing.
Category: Vulnerable
Range: India (Sikkim), Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, China.
Habitat & Ecology: Arboreal, feeds on fruits, insects, and birds.
Major Threat: Habitat loss and degradation.
Category: Endangered
Range: South & Southeast Asia, Manipur in Northeast India, Myanmar.
Habitat & Ecology: Open, grass-dominated areas.
Major Threat: Hunting, medicinal product usage, habitat loss, impact of hydroelectric projects.
Category: Critically Endangered
Range: India (Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand), Nepal, Pakistan, China.
Habitat & Ecology: Temperate rainforests.
Major Threat: Man-animal conflict.
Category: Vulnerable
Range: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Northeast India, Myanmar.
Habitat & Ecology: Arboreal, inhabits broadleaf, deciduous, and bamboo forests.
Major Threat: Habitat destruction, jhum cultivation, timber and firewood harvesting, trade for meat.
Category: Least Concern
Range: Africa, Central Asia, South West Asia, India.
Habitat & Ecology: Semi-desert to open tropical grassland.
Major Threat: Habitat destruction and hunting.
Category: Vulnerable
Range: Historically found in Central India and Pakistan; Asiatic cheetah now critically endangered in Iran.
Habitat & Ecology: Open grassy habitat, dry forests, savanna woodlands, absent in tropical rainforests.
Major Threat: Habitat loss, fragmentation, prey depletion due to human hunting.
Category: Endangered
Range: Himalayan foothills in Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Northern India, Northeast Bangladesh.
Habitat & Ecology: Tropical forests, grasslands, and agricultural fields.
Major Threat: Habitat loss and hunting for skin, scales, and meat trade.
Category: Least Concern
Range: Western & Central India, Pakistan, Southwestern Afghanistan.
Habitat & Ecology: Arid areas, sand deserts, plains, dry scrub, and light forests.
Major Threat: Habitat loss through overgrazing, conversion to agriculture, and industrial development.
Category: Vulnerable
Range: Himalayan foothills through Southeast Asia to China.
Habitat & Ecology: Arboreal, prefers tropical rainforests and dry deciduous forests.
Major Threat: Habitat destruction, hunting for skin and bones for medicinal use.
Category: Vulnerable
Range: Coastal waters from East Africa to the Vanuatu belt; India (Andaman & Nicobar, Lakshadweep).
Habitat & Ecology: Coastal waters, mangroves, and seagrass beds.
Major Threat: Habitat loss, indigenous hunting, and pollution.
Conservation efforts need to consider the unique habitat requirements of each species and address the root causes of threats like habitat loss, hunting, and human-wildlife conflict.
| Species | Range | Habitat | Major Threat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andaman Wild Pig | Andaman Islands | Temperate to tropical habitats | Habitat destruction, hunting pressure |
| Bharal | Bhutan, India, Nepal | High mountain slopes (2500-5500 m) | Livestock competition, habitat loss |
| Binturong | India (Sikkim), China | Arboreal, forests | Habitat loss, degradation |
| Brown Antlered Deer | South & Southeast Asia | Open grasslands | Hunting, hydroelectric projects |
| Dugong (Sea Cow) | Coastal waters, Andaman & Nicobar | Coastal mangroves, seagrass beds | Habitat degradation, hunting, pollution |
Category: Endangered
Range: Asia (Pakistan, India, Himalayan foothills, Eastern India).
Habitat & Ecology: Wetlands, oxbow lakes, reed beds, mangroves, evergreen forests.
Major Threat: Wetland destruction, human settlements, agricultural pollution, hunting, woodcutting.
Category: Endangered
Range: Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Meghna, Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of South Asia.
Habitat & Ecology: Inhabit current pools below channel convergences; sensitive to salinity over 10 ppt.
Major Threat: Water development projects, habitat fragmentation, pollution, fishing gear entanglement.
Category: Vulnerable
Range: Mainland Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, India.
Habitat & Ecology: Undisturbed forest tracts, hilly terrains with water availability.
Major Threat: Hunting, habitat degradation, and forest fragmentation.
Category: Near Threatened
Range: South Asia (excluding Northeast India).
Habitat & Ecology: Tropical forests, grasslands, areas near human settlements.
Major Threat: Hunting for meat and traditional medicine (boots, shoes), habitat degradation.
Category: Endangered
Range: 5% of Western Ghats in South India (Kerala & Tamil Nadu).
Habitat & Ecology: High elevation, grass-covered hills, open terrain.
Major Threat: Habitat loss and poaching.
Category: Endangered
Range: High mountains of Central Asia, Himalayan range (India: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand).
Habitat & Ecology: Alpine and subalpine zones, steep terrain.
Major Threat: Prey depletion, illegal trade, human-wildlife conflict, lack of conservation policies.
| Species | Range | Habitat | Major Threat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing Cat | Pakistan, India | Wetlands, oxbow lakes | Wetland destruction, hunting |
| Ganges River Dolphin | Indus-Ganges river system | Riverine pools, current pools | Water projects, pollution |
| Indian Gaur | India, Southeast Asia | Undisturbed forests, hilly areas | Habitat degradation, hunting |
| Indian Pangolin | South Asia (Excl. Northeast) | Tropical forests, grasslands | Hunting for meat, habitat loss |
| Snow Leopard | Central Asia, Himalayan range | Alpine and subalpine zones | Prey depletion, illegal trade |
Important Note: Protecting the habitats of these animals directly contributes to their survival. Human interventions like agriculture, deforestation, and urban development need regulation to conserve these species.
Category: Vulnerable
Range: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka.
Habitat & Ecology: Tropical forests, grasslands, lowlands up to 1500 m.
Major Threat: Habitat loss, poaching for medicinal purposes.
Category: Vulnerable
Range: Tropical, subtropical, and subpolar regions.
Habitat & Ecology: Extensive migration, nesting on sandy beaches.
Major Threat: Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, fishing bycatch.
Concept: Marine life is particularly susceptible to both habitat loss and human activities like fishing and pollution. Marine conservation requires global cooperation to be effective.
MCQ: Which of the following is a primary threat to the Ganges River Dolphin?
- Habitat degradation due to agriculture
- Water development projects
- Climate change
- Predation by larger aquatic animals
Correct Answer: 2. Water development projects
This detailed exploration of fauna under WPA 1972 illustrates the necessity for comprehensive and targeted conservation efforts. Each species has unique habitat requirements and threats, emphasizing the need for diverse strategies to ensure their protection and survival.