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Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Science
- Indian Express
First-ever grassland bird census : A must-know for UPSC exam
Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget on the grassland bird census at the Kaziranga National Park. (Relevance: The IUCN status of species has been asked in the UPSC examination multiple times. This grassland bird census encompasses important species relevant from an exam perspective. Also, the recent report on the status of Tigers in the Kaziranga National Park is important for Prelims and Mains.) Between March 18 and May 25, a survey to record the grassland bird population in Kaziranga National Park was undertaken by a team of forest officials, scientists, and conservationists. It is the 'first-ever grassland bird census' conducted in Assam's Kaziranga National Park. This census was also mentioned in the Mann ki Baat radio programme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (July 27). 1. The grassland bird census recorded a total of 43 grassland bird species, including 1 Critically Endangered, 2 Endangered, and 6 Vulnerable species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. 2. A new methodology was deployed in the survey, which was also mentioned in the Maan ki baat program. According to Kaziranga National Park Director Dr. Sonali Ghosh, the use of passive acoustic recording monitoring was the highlight of the survey. 3. 'Surveying these small, shy, and highly camouflaged birds is very difficult using traditional methods like visual counting. So, the acoustic recorders were placed in tall trees near grasslands during the breeding season of the birds, between March and May. This is the season when they are very vocal, calling out for mates and with males defending territory. The instruments recorded all the birds singing in the landscape,' she said. 4. Different tools were then used to identify the birds based on the recordings. For the bird sounds that were not identifiable, a spectrogram (a graphical representation of the sound) was created using software to aid in identification. The Birdnet tool was also used, which applies Machine Learning to try and identify species by bird song. 5. The survey prioritised 10 species that are either globally threatened or endemic to the Brahmaputra floodplains: 6. The national park authorities have been particularly excited by the discovery of a breeding colony of the endangered Finn's Weaver, which is endemic to the Brahmaputra flood plain. 7. Dr. Ghosh called grassland birds 'an indicator of good health' of an ecosystem, likening them to indicators such as BMI for human health. 'The presence of these birds tells us that the habitat is healthy,' she said. 1. Grasslands — home to the great Poaceae family, with its 10,000 to 12,000 members or species — cover vast swathes of landmass throughout the world and support a wide variety of animal life. They thrive in places where the rainfall is low, typically between 600 and 1500 mm annually. 2. They are even more useful than forests and provide a host of ecosystem services — storing water and carbon, recycling chemical, and controlling the climate. And, vitally, feeding us and our livestock, besides the wild herbivores that roam the plains. Even the ferocious carnivores must be grateful to grasslands: because grasses feed their prey species. 3. In India, almost a quarter of landmass is covered in grassland. This includes the alpine meadows of the Himalayas, the chaurs in the foothills, the famous terai grasslands in the flood plains of the Ganges and Brahmaputra, the phumdis, or the quivering wet grasslands of Manipur (where the deer 'dance'), the savannas of western and peninsular India and the renowned 'sholas' of the Western Ghats. 4. Different names are used in the world to refer to grasslands. According to WWF, it is known as 'savannah' in Africa, 'cerrado' in South America, 'prairie' in North America, 'steppe' in central Asia, and 'meadow' in the UK. 5. What makes them special is their ability to survive and keep growing no matter how much they're munched or nibbled by animals. It supports all kinds of wildlife. The one-horned Indian rhinoceros and wild water buffalo live in the wet grasslands of Kaziranga and Manas Tiger Reserve. The swamp deer live in the terai. Manipur's rare 'dancing deer' or 'Sangai' thrive on the floating phumdis of Loktak Lake. 6. Grasslands (except a few) — like the wetlands — in India get no protection. They are free to be exploited. According to the report on the degradation of rangelands, published last year, by the UN Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD), less than 5 per cent of India's grasslands fall within protected areas, and the total grassland area declined from 18 to 12 million hectares between 2005 and 2015. 1. On Tuesday (29th July), officials released a summary report for 2024 titled 'Status of Tigers in the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve', with the findings of a Phase IV tiger monitoring initiative across Eastern Assam, Nagaon, and Biswanath Wildlife Divisions. This was done at the direction of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). 2. The survey documented 148 tigers in the reserve, up from 104 recorded in 2022, 99 in 2018 and 96 in 2014. Reserve director Sonali Ghosh said these findings show that Kaziranga has the third-highest density of tigers in the world, after Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand and Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka. 3. The survey was conducted over 103 days using 293 paired camera traps across 1307.49 square kilometres, which yielded 4,011 tiger images in 242 locations. The report states that the right-flank stripes of the animals in these images were used to identify 148 adult tigers – 83 females, 55 males, and 10 with undetermined gender. 4. 'Despite these successes, Kaziranga's tiger population faces persistent challenges, including habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and the pressures of agricultural expansion and infrastructure development around the tiger reserve', it states. Covering 42,996 ha, Kaziranga National Park is located in the State of Assam. It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised in 1985. It is renowned for its significant population of one-horned rhinoceroses. The NTCA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change constituted under the enabling provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, for strengthening tiger conservation, as per powers and functions assigned to it under the said Act. The NTCA conducts the All India Tiger Estimation to track the big cat numbers, usually in cycles of four years. Yes. Established in 2023, honouring 50 years of Project Tiger, the IBCA aims to promote the protection of seven big cats: the tiger, leopard, snow leopard, lion, cheetah, puma and jaguar. The 'Project Tiger' is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) launched by the Central government on April 1, 1973, in a bid to promote conservation of the tiger. The programme came at a time when India's tiger population was rapidly dwindling. 📍Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972 status: Schedule I. 📍IUCN Red List status: Endangered. 📍CITES status: Appendix I. (1) Consider the following pairs: How many pairs given above are correctly matched? (a) Only one pair (b) Only two pairs (c) Only three pairs (d) All four pairs (2) In the grasslands, trees do not replace the grasses as a part of an ecological succession because of (UPSC CSE 2013) (a) insects and fungi (b) limited sunlight and paucity of nutrients (c) water limits and fire (d) None of the above (Source: Down in Jungleland: Instead of golf courses, India should worry about its grasslands, Grassland bird census in Kaziranga: What was special about this survey, which PM Modi talked about, UPSC Issue at a Glance | Why Tigers Matter: Environmental, cultural, and economic significance of India's apex predator, 103 days, 293 camera traps, 4,011 images – how Kaziranga Tiger Reserve counted its big cats, and what it found Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
CNN
a day ago
- Science
- CNN
The ‘blue dragon' is back from the brink
Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series committed to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet, together with the solutions. Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action. Millions of years ago, Grand Cayman Island rose from the depths of the Caribbean Sea, and in the same epoch, its shores became home to giant blue reptiles. Fast forward to today, and with its spiny crest, prehistoric features and striking blue scales, the Grand Cayman blue iguana appears to have lumbered out of a lost world. Endemic to Grand Cayman, the biggest of the Cayman Islands, the impressive reptile holds the title of the island's largest native land animal. But it was only in 2004 that they were officially declared a species, after being differentiated from their cousins, the Cuban Iguana. Blue iguanas were once ubiquitous on the island, however the arrival of humans, and the invasive predators that came with them, brought deadly threats. Habitat loss, hunting and a wave of feral cats and dogs pushed the lizards, referred to as 'blue dragons,' to the brink of extinction. In the early 1990s, researchers estimated there were between 100 and 200 blue iguanas surviving in the wild. But within a decade, those numbers had plummeted, with fewer than 25 individuals remaining in 2002. Thanks to ongoing conservation efforts, the blue iguana is back from the brink of extinction. Through captive breeding and a habitat protection program, over 1,200 have now been released into the wild, primarily in protected areas. This led to the species being reclassified from "critically endangered" to "endangered" in 2012, according to IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species.
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Meet the bird that looks like a 'baby dragon', but is the most unique voice in the night sky
The Great Eared Nightjar, a bird resembling a 'baby dragon,' inhabits the dense forests of South and Southeast Asia. Its mottled plumage provides excellent camouflage, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the forest floor. While known for its eerie calls, this elusive bird also possesses a surprisingly melodic song, showcasing its diverse vocal abilities and adaptations for survival. N ature is full of paradoxes, as sometimes dangerous-looking beings are also gifted with skills and adaptations that go far beyond imagination, according to their appearances. One such mysterious creature remains hidden in the shadows of dense forests across South and Southeast Asia. Popularly known as the 'baby dragon' of the avian world, this nocturnal bird compels us to recall our interest in the mythical appearance of animals and birds. Despite this, this species remains virtually unseen during daylight hours because of its camouflage. Which bird is called the 'baby dragon' The Great Eared Nightjar, often called a 'baby dragon' due to its exceptional appearance, is the largest nightjar species in terms of length, measuring between 31 and 41 cm. With long ear tufts, a white throat band, and mottled brown, gray, and black feathers, it resembles a tiny dragon more than a typical bird. It is native to dense lowland and montane forests across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, and due to its elusive nature, the secretive species lives in thick vegetation that conceals it during the day. The IUCN and experts consider it to be of Least Concern, indicating stable populations, though habitat loss remains a potential threat. What helps this bird in camouflaging? By day, the great eared nightjar remains motionless on the forest floor, blending easily into leaf litter and fallen twigs. Rather than constructing a nest, it lays a single egg directly on bare ground or in a shallow scrape, protecting its egg and chick through camouflage of its feathers. Both parents take turns incubating, and the hatchling remains immobile among the leaves until it can fly. Voice of the night The 'baby dragon's' call begins with a crisp, sharp 'tsiik,' followed by a pause and a haunting two-syllable whistle, 'ba‑haaww', which resonates through forests at dawn and dusk. But surprisingly, despite its eerie nickname and haunting nighttime calls, the great eared nightjar also sings in surprisingly sweet, melodic tones during certain moments, especially in calm twilight hours. Its vocal ability is supported by a highly adapted vocal organ called the syrinx, which helps it to produce a wide range of complex sounds. This helps the bird not only to communicate across dense forests but also to charm potential mates with softer, musical notes. While it's often remembered for its dragon-like look and ghostly calls, this unique bird can also be quite the gentle forest singer when it wants to be.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Science
- Indian Express
This bird can go days without ever flapping its wings
When it comes to sheer wingspan, no bird matches the majestic Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans). Known for its near-mythical status among seabirds, this gentle giant of the Southern Ocean holds the title for the largest wingspan in the world, stretching up to an astonishing 3.5 metres (11.5 feet). Imagine a bird so wide-winged that it can glide over vast oceans without flapping its wings for hours, sometimes even days. The Wandering Albatross does exactly that. With its expansive wings, it rides the fierce southern winds in a flight style called dynamic soaring, making use of the wind gradients over the waves. This technique allows it to cover mind-boggling distances; some individuals have been recorded circumnavigating the entire Southern Ocean during a single feeding trip. These seabirds spend most of their lives in flight, only returning to land to breed on remote sub-Antarctic islands. Their lifespan? Often more than 50 years, with some individuals known to live even longer. It's said that they fall in love for life, forming lifelong pair bonds, a romantic notion that has inspired sailors and poets alike. But their incredible wingspan is not just for show. The vast reach of their wings is a survival tool, allowing them to glide over roaring oceans with minimal effort. This efficiency helps them forage across vast stretches of the sea, searching for squid, fish, and krill. As National Geographic points out, this remarkable energy-saving flight is what allows them to thrive in some of the most remote and challenging parts of our planet. Sadly, despite their almost mythical endurance, Wandering Albatrosses face real threats. Longline fishing, which unintentionally hooks these birds as they swoop for bait, is a major cause of declining numbers. Climate change and shifting marine ecosystems add to their challenges. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), they are now listed as a vulnerable species, highlighting the urgent need for global conservation efforts. For many, the image of the Wandering Albatross soaring over the southern seas symbolises freedom and resilience. But it also reminds us of the delicate balance of life on Earth, and how even the mightiest can be fragile in the face of human impact.
Rakyat Post
2 days ago
- Rakyat Post
Caught On Camera: Another 'Penyu Terbang' Act Lands One Suspect In Police Custody
Subscribe to our FREE Many sea turtle species in Malaysian waters are categorised as endangered, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). There are many laws in place that incur heavy penalties against those who threaten the conservation of turtle species in the country. This is why if you spot a turtle on a beach, it's best to not interfere with it and just watch from a distance. However, turtle eggs are a rare and valuable delicacy in Malaysia, and there are those who would attempt to harvest them illegally. Video footage shows several men carrying a turtle on a beach away, allegedly to steal its eggs In a viral video posted by Jehan Bakar on Threads, a group of men could be seen hoisting a large sea turtle at Cherating beach in Kuantan, Pahang. 'I woke up to news about a 'flying turtle' where the turtle was carried against its will and moved to a different location,' she wrote in the post caption. Jehan then explained that 'egg thieves' would usually lift up a turtle while it's trying to lay eggs and move it to a different spot. Usually, these thieves would have dug a different hole in another spot, and they would place the turtle there. Why not just wait for the turtle to lay its eggs and steal it then? To this question, Jehan said those who were in the business of lifting innocent turtles up were usually drug addicts and not of sound mind. According to her caption, the videos were recorded by tourists last Sunday evening (27 July), who later shared the video with chalet owners in the area. 'Many lodged a report at the Department of Fisheries (DOF) because this beach is gazetted as a turtle landing beach and it is under the protection of DOF rangers. 'Any egg harvesting activity or moving turtles on a gazetted beach is a crime,' Jehan added. Police have arrested a suspect involved in the video According to a Harian Metro Kuantan acting chief of police Superintendent Mohd Adli Mat Daud said the 51-year-old suspect was arrested in a house in Cherating. The suspect also tested positive for drugs. 'The suspect is believed to have had intentions to sell the turtle eggs or use it for illegal purposes,' Mohd Adli said in a statement. The case is being investigated under Section 27 of the Fisheries Act 1985 that states no one may fish, capture, disturb, or take turtles. If convicted, they can be fined up to RM5,000. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
