Consider the following statements regarding Western Tragopan: It is en...
There has been a gradual increase in the population of Western Tragopan at Himachal Pradesh’s Sarahan pheasantry, the conservation breeding centre, bringing a glimmer of hope for its survival and growth.
- It is also known as the western horned tragopan, is amongst the rarest of all living pheasants.
- Due to its beautiful plumage and large size, this bird is locally known as ‘jujurana’ or ‘king of birds’.
- It is the state bird of Himachal Pradesh.
- Distribution: It is endemic to the northwest Himalaya, within a narrow range from Hazara in north Pakistan through Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, to the western part of Garhwal.
- The upper part of Great Himalayan National Park’s (GHNP) forest zone holds the world’s largest known population of western tragopan.
- It prefers a habitat of ringal (dwarf) bamboo beneath dense forest.
- Diet: It feeds mostly on leaves, shoots and seeds, but also consumes insects and other invertebrates.
- Threats: Habitat loss, hunting pressure and anthropogenic disturbances which includes livestock grazing, minor forest produce collection like medicinal herbs etc.
- Conservation status
- IUCN: Vulnerable
Hence only statement 1 is correct.
Consider the following statements regarding Western Tragopan: It is en...
Statement 1: Western Tragopan is endemic to the northwest Himalayan region.
Statement 2: Western Tragopan is categorized as an endangered species under the IUCN Red List.
Explanation:
The Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) is a bird species that is native to the northwest Himalayan region, specifically found in parts of India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It is known for its colorful plumage and unique appearance.
Statement 1: Western Tragopan is endemic to the northwest Himalayan region.
This statement is correct. The term "endemic" refers to a species that is found exclusively in a particular geographic location and is not naturally found anywhere else. In the case of the Western Tragopan, it is endemic to the northwest Himalayan region, meaning it is not found in any other part of the world.
Statement 2: Western Tragopan is categorized as an endangered species under the IUCN Red List.
This statement is incorrect. The IUCN Red List is a comprehensive inventory of the conservation status of species worldwide. It classifies species into different categories based on their risk of extinction. These categories include extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, near threatened, least concern, and data deficient.
As of the latest assessment, the Western Tragopan is classified as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List. This means that the species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. However, it is important to note that the conservation status of species can change over time based on various factors such as population trends, habitat loss, and conservation efforts.
In conclusion, the correct answer is option A - only statement 1 is correct. The Western Tragopan is endemic to the northwest Himalayan region, but it is categorized as "vulnerable" and not "endangered" on the IUCN Red List.
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