Shankar IAS Summary: Conservation Efforts- 2 | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Project Lion

• Asiatic lion population in Gir Forest increased from 523 (2015) to 674 (2020).
• Discussions on lion relocation started in 1995, with Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary as an alternative site
• The Gir population faces low genetic diversity, making it vulnerable to extinction from epidemics
• Supreme Court issued an order in 2013 to relocate lions to the Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary
• CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology sequenced the Asiatic lion genome, revealing low genetic diversity.
  
  Madhav National Park
• Project Lion identifies six new potential relocation sites, including Madhav National Park, Sitamala Wildlife Sanctuary, Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Jessore-Balaram Ambaji WLS
• Central Government launched the "Asiatic Lion Conservation Project" for 2018-21, aiming to protect the last free-ranging Asiatic lion population.
• Project funded through Centrally Sponsored Scheme-Development of Wildlife Habitat (CSS-DWH) with a 60:40 ratio of Central and State contributions
• The asiatic lion, listed as critically endangered, receives the highest degree of protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• The project adopts a "Species Conservation over a large landscape" approach, dividing the Greater Gir Region into zones with "Zone Plans and Theme Plans" for conservation efforts.

---

Secure Himalaya

The collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been launched to craft a comprehensive strategy for the conservation of snow leopards. The central objective is to safeguard the natural habitats of these magnificent creatures, enhance the ecological integrity of the Himalayan ranges, and positively impact the lives of communities dwelling in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim.

Key Components of the Project Include

• Strengthening and Improving the Protected Area Network: Working towards the enhancement and fortification of the existing network of protected areas.
  Himalayas

• Landscape-level Conservation Approach for Wildlife: Embracing a holistic approach to wildlife conservation at the broader landscape level.

• Control of Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade: Implementing robust measures to combat poaching activities and the illicit trade of wildlife.

• Mitigation of Human-Wildlife Conflicts: Developing strategies to effectively address and minimize conflicts between human populations and wildlife.

• Management of Tourism in Wildlife Areas: Implementing responsible tourism management practices in wildlife areas to ensure sustainable coexistence.

This collaborative endeavor underscores a commitment to the comprehensive preservation of snow leopards, not only focusing on protecting their habitats but also striving to improve the overall ecological balance in the Himalayan region. The engagement of local communities is a key aspect, emphasizing a sustainable and mutually beneficial cohabitation between wildlife and the people of the region.

---

Project Cheetah

Project Cheetah stands out as the world's pioneering large carnivore translocation initiative, a vital component of India's conservation endeavor known as 'Project Tiger.' The cheetah declared extinct in India in 1952, marked a significant loss as the sole large wild mammal species to go extinct since the country gained independence in 1947. This extinction was a result of various factors, including widespread animal capture for activities such as coursing, bounties, and sport hunting, along with extensive habitat conversion and a substantial decline in the prey population of cheetahs.

Objectives of Project Cheetah

The action plan aims to establish a viable cheetah metapopulation in India, enabling these magnificent creatures to fulfill their functional role as apex predators. Simultaneously, it provides space for the cheetahs to expand within their historical range, contributing to global conservation efforts. The plan includes the introduction of at least 50 cheetahs into various national parks over the next five years.

---

Cheetah Reintroduction Plan

 Under the umbrella of Project Cheetah, Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh recently welcomed eight African Cheetahs. These cheetahs, originating from Namibia, comprise five females and three males. Other sites recommended for holding and conservation breeding of cheetahs in controlled wild conditions include Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh), Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary - Bhainsrorgarh Wildlife Sanctuary complex (Madhya Pradesh), Shahgarh bulge in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan), and Mukundara Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan).

Significance of Cheetah Relocation

The relocation of cheetahs holds immense potential to:

• Create a Sustainable Cheetah Population in India: Establishing a thriving cheetah population that can interconnect and persist over time.
  
  Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Mobilize Resources: Galvanizing funding and resources, fostering efforts for wildlife conservation and generating employment opportunities.
• Global Conservation Contribution: India's participation in worldwide conservation, aiding the preservation of this endangered species.
• Boost Local Livelihoods: Improvement of income and livelihoods for local communities through wildlife tourism and conservation initiatives, garnering their support for conservation efforts.
• Contribute to Climate Goals: A balanced ecosystem with cheetahs as apex predators can help mitigate the impacts of climate change.

In essence, the relocation of cheetahs aligns with multifaceted objectives, encompassing wildlife conservation, community development, and climate change mitigation.

---

Captive Breeding

• Captive breeding involves capturing, breeding, and raising wild species in specialized facilities.
• It serves as a last resort to preserve species in the wild under specific circumstances.
• The importance of captive breeding includes:
  1. Boosting numbers when populations decline dangerously.
  2. Releasing captive-produced young where wild populations have diminished or disappeared.
  3. Providing a temporary solution when existing habitat is of poor quality or faces environmental issues.
     
     Captive Breeding Species
  4. Offering hope for survival in fragmented habitats through genetic mixing.
  5. Assisting birds trapped in degraded habitats to expand their range.
  6. Providing scientific insights that may be challenging to obtain in the wild, contributing crucial information for species preservation.
  7. Meeting demands for reintroduction or reestablishment in natural habitats.
     • Example: Captive breeding of lion-tailed macaques in Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai, and Mysore Zoo as a proactive conservation measure.

---

Project Dolphin