Skip to content
Login Register

#Indian wildlife

3 public questions tagged with this topic.

Natural History of Indian subcontinent

Which animal is characteristic of semi-arid zone?

Semi-arid landscape comprising thorn scrub, dry deciduous forest edges, and fallow agriculture sustains diverse medium ungulates. Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus, largest Asian antelope, blue-grey male, tawny female, highly adaptable to dry scrub, crop fields, and degraded forests of semi-arid zone. Herds of 10-20 individuals browse Acacia, Zizyphus, cultivated sorghum, tolerate water scarcity. Characteristic of semi-arid because it avoids true desert extreme and dense forest, preferring open woodlands. Considered agricultural pest yet ecologically indicator of semi-arid integrity. This example illustrates how ecological adaptations correlate with biogeographic zonation and conservation prioritization in Indian context.

Ref: WII Ungulate Ecology Semi-arid Zone Nilgai; Mammals of India – Boselaphus tragocamelus Habitat

View Details
Natural History of Indian subcontinent

Which community traditionally protects blackbuck?

Community custodianship in Thar desert is exemplified by Bishnoi sect who protect blackbuck Antilope cervicapra considered sacred and symbolic of Guru Jambheshwar teachings. Bishnois prohibit killing, maintain water troughs, provide shelter to fawns, and resist poachers even risking lives, as seen in Khejarli sacrifice 1730 and recent poaching cases high-profile. Villages like Khejarli and Lohawat host thousands of blackbuck coexisting with livestock. Traditional law enforced socially ensures wildlife thrives near human habitations modeling community-based conservation outside statutory protected areas. Mastery of this rule helps candidates differentiate closely related categories and avoid common errors in diversity questions.

Ref: Bishnoi Traditional Law Blackbuck Protection Ethnobiology; People and Wildlife Coexistence Case Study Rajasthan

View Details
Natural History of Indian subcontinent

Great Indian Bustard is mainly associated with

Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps, critically endangered flagship of dry grasslands, historically distributed across 11 states but now confined mainly to desert zone landscapes with open short grass, scattered shrubs, and minimal human disturbance. Indian Desert Zone including Desert National Park Jaisalmer preserves ideal habitat of sewan Lasiurus scindicus grasslands where bustard displays lekking, feeds on insects, seeds, reptiles. Grassland degradation due to overgrazing, agricultural conversion, and power lines threatens survival. Desert zone association underscores importance of protecting non-forest biomes. Examinations emphasize this concept because it underpins correct interpretation of phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary systematics.

Ref: WII Bustard Species Recovery Programme Desert Habitat; BirdLife Ardeotis nigriceps Desert Distribution

View Details