PLACES IN NEWS - 24 Oct. 2024

Wayanad

On October 23 2024, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra filed her nomination for Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll.

• On July 30, 2024, Wayanad in Kerala witnessed India's worst-ever landslide

About Wayanad:

1. Location: Northeastern district of Kerala, India; administrative headquarters at Kalpetta.
2. Geography:
   1. Only plateau in Kerala, part of the Mysore Plateau and Deccan Plateau.
   2. Altitudes: Ranges from 700 to 2,100 meters.
   3. Highest Point: Vellari Mala (2,240 m).
3. History:
   1. Formed on November 1, 1980; 12th district of Kerala.
   2. Created from parts of Kozhikode and Kannur districts.
4. Area: 885.92 km² forested.
5. Municipal Towns: Kalpetta, Mananthavady, Sulthan Bathery.
6. Rivers:
   1. Kabini River (originates here).
   2. Chaliyar River (fourth longest in Kerala).
7. Tribes: Home to many indigenous tribes.
8. Cultural Significance:
   1. Edakkal Caves (historically important).
   2. Notable temples: Lava-Kusha temple (Pulpally) and Jain mirror temple (Vythiri).
   3. Varambetta mosque (oldest in Wayanad).
9. Historical Context: Key location in the Cotiote War led by Pazhassi Raja with local tribes against British rule.
10. Geographical Borders:
    1. North/Northeast: Karnataka (Kodagu, Chamarajanagar, Mysore).
    2. Southeast: Tamil Nadu (Nilgiris).
    3. South: Malappuram.
    4. Southwest: Kozhikode.
    5. Northwest: Kannur.

About Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary:

1. Location: Wayanad, Kerala; part of the Western Ghats.
   1. Located in Cauvery basin
2. UNESCO Status: Integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (World Heritage Site).
3. Borders:
   1. Northeast: Nagarhole and Bandipur (Karnataka).
   2. Southeast: Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu).
4. Indigenous Tribes: Paniyas, Kattunaikkans, Kurumas, Ooralis, Adiyans, Kurichiyas.

Flora

1. Vegetation Types: Moist deciduous, dry deciduous, semi-evergreen.
2. Key Species: Teak, rosewood, eucalyptus, silver oak (plantations cover about one-third).

Fauna

1. Wildlife: Elephants, panthers, tigers, jungle cats, civet cats, monkeys, wild dogs, bison, deer, bears.
2. Notable Fact: Largest population of tigers in Kerala.

 

Q. Which of the following Protected Areas are located in Cauvery basin?

UPSC (2020)

1. Nagarhole National Park
2. Papikonda National Park
3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 and 4 only

(c) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (c)

 

National Conservation Breeding Centre in Jaisalmer

Scientists at the National Conservation Breeding Centre in Jaisalmer hatched a Great Indian Bustard chick to save the endangered bird species.

1. The process involved collecting the sperm of 3-year-old male bustard Sudha and inseminating a female called Toni.
2. The chick was successfully hatched after the female laid an egg on September 24.
3. The great Indian bustard is a highly endangered bird species found in the Thar area of Rajasthan.
4. Today, only 173 birds are left, of which, 128 are found in the wild, while others are bred in captivity.
5. In 2018, the Wildlife Institute of India, in collaboration with the Government of India, Government of Rajasthan and Forest Department, established the Great Indian Bustard Artificial Breeding Center in Jaisalmer under the Bustard Recovery Program. The programme aims to increase the Great Indian Bustard population.
6. “The WII scientists had been trained at the International Fund for Houbara Conservation in Abu Dhabi, dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the Houbara bustard. They then carried out the Artificial Insemination program in Jaisalmer,” said P K Upadhyay, Chief Wildlife Warden.

About Great Indian Bustard :

1. Scientific Name: Ardeotis nigriceps
2. Status: State bird of Rajasthan; considered India’s most critically endangered bird.
3. Ecological Role: Flagship species for grassland health.

Population Distribution

1. Predominantly found in:
   1. Rajasthan and Gujarat
2. Smaller populations in:
   1. Maharashtra
   2. Karnataka
   3. Andhra Pradesh

Vulnerability

1. Threats:
   1. Collision/electrocution with power lines.
   2. Hunting (still occurs in Pakistan).
   3. Habitat loss due to agricultural expansion.
2. Reproduction:
   1. Slow-reproducing species with few eggs.
   2. Year-long parental care for chicks.
   3. Maturity achieved in 3-4 years.

Protection Status

1. IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
2. CITES: Appendix I
3. CMS: Appendix I
4. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Key Locations for GIB:

Desert National Park:

1. Located in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts, Rajasthan.
2. Home to the Great Indian Bustard and other state symbols: Chinkara (state animal), Khejri (state tree), and Rohida (state flower).
3. UNESCO World Heritage Site (1980) and National Park (1992).

Kutch Bustard Sanctuary:

1. Near Nalia, Kutch district, Gujarat.
2. Smallest sanctuary in India (2 square kilometers).
3. Established in July 1992 to protect the Great Indian Bustard.
4. Also houses lesser floricans and Macqueen bustards.

 

Q. With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct? (2020)

1. It is spread over two districts.

2. There is no human habitation inside the Park.

3. It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: C

 

Q. With reference to Great Indian Bustard, consider the following statements:

1. It is endemic to the Indian subcontinent.

2. They are herbivores.

3. It is listed as critically endangered in the IUCN red list of species.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[A] 1 and 2 only

[B] 2 and 3 only

[C] 1 and 3 only

[D] 1, 2 and 3

Ans: C

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