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A recent study indicates that jungle cats are increasingly using agricultural landscapes as habitats.
These cats play a vital ecological role by controlling rodent populations, thereby protecting crops.
However, these non-protected areas expose jungle cats to significant threats like habitat fragmentation and vehicular accidents.
The findings reinforce existing knowledge about the adaptability of the species and highlight the need for broader conservation strategies.
Habitat fragmentation refers to the process by which a large, continuous habitat is divided into smaller, isolated patches. This often occurs due to human activities like urbanization, agriculture, and infrastructure development (e.g., roads, dams). It can lead to reduced biodiversity, increased 'edge effects' (changes in environmental conditions at the boundaries of habitats), genetic isolation of populations, and increased vulnerability of species to local extinction.
Simple Analogy: Imagine a large, unbroken forest (habitat) being cut into many smaller, separate islands by roads or farms. Animals that need large continuous areas find it difficult to survive or move between these 'islands'.
An autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, engaged in wildlife research, management, and training.
A global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. It maintains the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, which assesses the conservation status of species worldwide.
The increasing presence of wildlife in agricultural areas can lead to conflicts, such as crop damage or livestock predation, necessitating effective mitigation strategies and community engagement.
The pest control provided by jungle cats is a prime example of an ecosystem service, where natural processes benefit human well-being and economic activities like agriculture, often without direct cost.
The study emphasizes the need to complement the existing protected area network with conservation efforts in surrounding human-dominated landscapes to create a more holistic and effective conservation strategy.
GS Paper III: Environment, Biodiversity, Conservation; Human-Wildlife Conflict; Ecosystem Services.
General Awareness: Wildlife, Environment, Scientific Names, Conservation Status.
General Awareness: Environmental issues, important organizations (IUCN, WII).
General Science/GK: Environment, Ecology, Animal Kingdom, Conservation.
General Awareness: Environment, Ecology, Conservation efforts.
Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana: 1. It is a safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women. 3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women. 4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age. How many of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: Only two
Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy: 1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for pre-school children, adolescents and pregnant women. 2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of child-birth. 3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents. 4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis. How many of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: Only three
Consider the following statements: 1. The Self-Help Group (SHG) programme was originally initiated by the State Bank of India by providing microcredit to the financially deprived. 2. In an SHG, all members of a group take responsibility for a loan that an individual member takes. 3. The Regional Rural Banks and Scheduled Commercial Banks support SHGs. How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: Only two
Medium for specific species studies, High for general biodiversity and conservation issues.
A medium-sized wild cat species native to Asia, known for its adaptability to various habitats, including agricultural lands.
The process by which a large, continuous habitat is divided into smaller, isolated patches, often by human activities.
The many and varied benefits that humans freely gain from the natural environment and from properly-functioning ecosystems.
Clearly defined geographical spaces, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.