Context:
Recently, Tamil Nadu Government decided to conserve Nilgiri Marten under its new fund “TN Endangered Species Conservation Fund”.
Nilgiri Marten:
- A rare species of marten, a small carnivores belonging to the weasel and badger families.
- Only marten species native to India.
- Native – Endemic to the Western Ghats.
- Distribution – Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
- Protection status –
- IUCN Status – Vulnerable
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 – Schedule II
- Habitat – Brahmagiri, Nilgiris, Anamalai, Cardamom Hills and Agasthyamalai.
- Found in – Shola ecosystems and High altitudes
- Great habitat – Pampadum Shola National Park (kerala)
- Prefers evergreen forests and montane forest-grassland
- Features –
- A small mustelid with a chocolate coloured fur and a canary yellow throat.
- It looks almost like a civet or a mongoose
- Diet – Omnivorous – feeds on plants and shrubs as well as small animals
- Lifestyle – Diurnal and mainly arboreal but descend to the ground occasionally.
- They are social and spend their time and even hunt in groups.
- Threats – Habitat loss due to fragmentation and poaching
- Occurs in tea, acacia, coffee, cardamom, and wattle plantations.
The Mustelidae are a diverse family of carnivorous mammals – Including weasels, stoats, badgers, otters, martens, grisons, and wolverines.
TN Endangered Species Conservation Fund:
- 1st kind of fund in India for Endangered Species
- Aim – To save, protect and recover lesser-known species facing extinction threats
Source: Hindustan Times
Previous Year Question
Which of the following is not a bird?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) Golden Mahseer
(b) Indian Nightjar
(c) Spoonbill
(d) White Ibis
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Golden Mahseer is a fish
