Periyar Tiger Reserve Biodiversity and New Species Discovery
Source:The Hindu ↗
આ શા માટે મહત્વનું છે
Discoveries of new species in protected areas like Periyar Tiger Reserve emphasize the ecological significance of the Western Ghats, highlighting the need for ongoing conservation and biodiversity monitoring.
સારાંશ
A biological survey conducted in the Periyar Tiger Reserve of Kerala has successfully discovered six new species, underscoring the ecological significance, high endemism, and conservation value of the Western Ghats.
મુખ્ય મુદ્દા
- A recent wildlife survey in the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala led to the discovery of six new species.
- The discoveries highlight the rich, unexplored biodiversity and endemism of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.
- Such findings underscore the vital importance of continuous biological monitoring and stringent protection of core forest habitats.
મહત્વપૂર્ણ શબ્દો
Periyar Tiger Reserve
A protected area located in the Cardamom and Pandalam hills of the Southern Western Ghats in Kerala, renowned for its rich biodiversity, artificial lake formed by Mullaperiyar Dam, and tiger/elephant populations.
UPSC context
UPSC Prelims/Mains: Environment & Biodiversity; tests knowledge of key protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, and tiger reserves in India.
Western Ghats
A mountain range along the western coast of India recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot with exceptionally high levels of species endemism and fragile ecosystems.
UPSC context
UPSC Prelims/Mains: Geography & Environment; tests knowledge of biodiversity hotspots, endemic species, and ecological conservation issues like the Gadgil Committee report.
Endemism
An ecological phenomenon where specific plant or animal species are restricted to a particular geographical region and found naturally nowhere else in the world.
UPSC context
UPSC Prelims/Mains: Biodiversity and Conservation; tests understanding of ecological distribution patterns, vulnerable habitats, and conservation priorities.
પ્રિલિમ્સ ટ્રેપ
Wildlife surveys in tiger reserves focus exclusively on tiger population estimation and megafauna tracking.
Aspirants often assume tiger reserves are exclusively monitored for megafauna like tigers and elephants, ignoring that bio-surveys routinely discover new micro-taxa and endemic species.
સંલગ્ન સ્થિર ખ્યાલો
What are the key ecological criteria for designating an area as a Biodiversity Hotspot?
- Plant Endemism: Endemism requirement, containing at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (>0.5% of the global total) as endemic endemics.
- Threat Level: Habitat loss, having lost at least 70% of its original natural vegetation habitat.
What is the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) for Tiger Reserves in India?
- Assessment Body: Joint exercise by NTCA and Wildlife Institute of India to assess how well tiger reserves are managed.
- Key Parameters: Evaluates various parameters including protection, bio-monitoring, community participation, and habitat status.
આંતર-વિષય પેટર્ન
Biodiversity Hotspots & Global Frameworks
Species discoveries in protected areas feed directly into India's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Umbrella Species & Multi-Taxa Conservation
Tiger reserves serve as umbrella species conservation zones that simultaneously protect lesser-known endemic flora, insects, and amphibians through contiguous habitat preservation.
Western Ghats endemism + tiger reserve management efficacy (MEE) likely to be paired in a multi-statement environment/ecology question.
સંલગ્ન PYQ · 2
સંલગ્ન PYQ · 2
- 2019PrelimsGS1
Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?
- 2011PrelimsGS1
Three of the following criteria have contributed to the recognition of Western Ghats-Sri Lanka and Indo-Burma regions as hotspots of biodiversity: 1. Species richness 2. Vegetation density 3. Endemism 4. Ethno-botanical importance 5. Threat perception 6. Adaptation of flora and fauna to warm and humid conditions Which three of the above are correct criteria in this context?
