Nisarga Vidnyan Sanstha

Wednesday 2 July 2014

Jungle Trail of Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary

Gir is one of the largest compact tract of dry deciduous forests and the only abode of the "Asiatic lion" in the word. Over the years, Gir has become a very stable ecosystem with tremendous regenerating, self-supporting and self-sustaining capacity. It supports a rich biodiversity comprising of about 450 recorded Flowering plants species , 32 species of Mammals , 26 species of Reptiles, about 300 species of Birds and more than 2000 species of Insects. It also harbours a variety of endangered and threatened species and provides breeding ground for many migratory and resident birds. and Sanctuary area 1153.42 sq.km spreads over Junagadh and Amreli districts of Saurashtra. The main centre "Sasan" is located in Talala taluka of Junagadh district at about 60 km. from Junagadh .

Asiatic Lion Information Center

Habitat and Distribution: The last surviving population of the Asiatic lions occupies a compact tract of dry deciduous forest and open grassy scrublands in southwestern part of saurashtra region of state of Gujarat. Compared to their counterparts in Eastern African Savanna landscape, Asiatic lions are found in forests and thorny thickets.

Asiatic Lion Population
Details of Apr-2010 Census
Areawise Distribution
AREA	Male	Female	Cubs	Total
Gir National Park & adjoining	59	121	117	297
Girnar Sanctuary	7	11	6	24
Mityala Sanctuary	2	3	2	7
Paniya Sanctuary	3	6	0	9
Coastal areas (Una, Kodinar, Sutrapada, and Chhara)	9	6	6	21
Savarkundla, Liliya and adjoining areas of Amreli and Bhavnagar	17	15	21	53
T O T A L	97	162	152	411

Districtwise Distribution
District	Male	Female	Cubs	Total
Junagadh	58	111	101	270
Amreli	28	40	40	108
Bhavnagar	11	11	11	33
T O T A L	97	162	152	411

Reference Sources Wildlife Conservation Trust of India

Thursday 5 June 2014

“World Environment Day” Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

World Environment Day

Every year 5^th June is celebrated as “World Environment Day”. This mission started in 1972, United Nations introduced this day in order to mark the opening of Stockholm Conference on Human Environment. Environment Day is celebrated in different countries. Moreover, this special day is introduced by United Nations in order to encourage awareness of the environment. World Environment Day is celebrated in different ways like organizing tree plantation drives, street rallies, parades, seminars, conferences in order to create awareness about the importance of conserving the world environment. Numerous contests such as Awareness Quiz, Painting competitions, Poetry contests, Slogan contests and special debates programs are arranged for celebrating this event throughout the world. The main objective of this day is to create awareness amongst all public regarding the importance and safeguarding of an environment. Moreover, special conferences are arranged for educating people about the special efforts on Environment day.

Monday 26 May 2014

EX-SITU CONSERVATION OF WILDLIFE PADMAJA NAIDU HIMALAYAN ZOOLOGICAL PARK

This is the only specialized Zoo in the country and is internationally recognized for its conservation breeding programs of Red Panda, Snow Leopards, Tibetan Wolf and other highly endangered animal species of Eastern Himalaya. The zoo was opened in 1958, in Darjeeling (West Bengal) and an average elevation of 7,000 feet (2,134 m), is the largest high altitude zoo in India.

Himalayan goral (Naemorhedus goral Hardwicke) NEAR THREATENED

Himalayan Thar (Hemitragus jemlahicuse) NEAR THREATENED

Markhor (Capra falconeri) Endangered

Black panther (Panthera pardus Drury) NEAR THREATENED

Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) Endangered

Conservation breeding of Snow Leopard at Darjeeling Zoo :

Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia or Uncia uncial; Family: Felidae) is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Globally Endangered. Darjeeling Zoo started breeding of Snow Leopard since 1983. To introduce new blood as well as for effective captive breeding programme in Darjeeling Zoo, a pair of unrelated Snow Leopards were brought from Zurich Zoo in 1986. Another pair of leopard came from U.S. in 1989 at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan zoological Park, Darjeeling. Two female cubs were born at this Zoo in 1989. Two wild females were rescued from J & K in 2000. Since 1983 till 2008, 40 births took place at Darjeeling Zoo. To establish at least 4 – 5 stable captive populations at different high altitude zoos in the country before any release, a pair each of Snow Leopards was sent from Darjeeling Zoo to Gangtok, Nainital and Shimla Zoo.

Himalayan wolf (Canis lupus himalayensis) Critically Endangered

Red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) Endangered 2004 IUCN

Conservation breeding of Red Panda at Darjeeling Zoo :

In India, Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens; Family: Ailuridae) is available in natural condition in the Eastern Himalayan region in Darjeeling district of West Bengal and adjoining areas of Sikkim and Assam. It is also highly endangered and the habitat is also very highly restricted. The population continues to decline due to loss and fragmentation of habitat, poaching and inbreeding depression. To increase the gene pool and avoid inbreeding, a male specimen was brought from Rotterdam Zoo in 1983. Conservation breeding of Red Panda was initiated at Darjeeling Zoo in 1989 as a part of Global Captive Breeding Master Plan. First successful breeding of Red Panda at Darjeeling zoo took place in 1994 and as a result of which 2 cubs were born. Two males and one female came from Europe for infusion of new blood in the breeding population. Three more individuals were added between 1994 and 1996. Since then till 2008, 40 cubs were born at Darjeeling Zoo.