Context:
Bharal and ibex are major prey of snow leopards whose numbers have recently seen a rebound.
Bharal:
- Also known as blue sheep.
- Distribution – Native to the high Himalayas region of Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan
- Habitat –
- Live on high grassy slopes
- Near cliffs, avoid forests
- Tolerant of extreme weather
- Found in hot, cold mountains
- Features – Due to their excellent camouflage and the absence of cover in their environment, it remains motionless when approached.
- IUCN status – Least Concern
Ibex:
- Refers to several species of wild goat.
- Features – Distinguished by the male’s large recurved horns (transversely ridged in front)
- Distribution – Eurasia, North Africa and East Africa.
- Asia – India, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Southern Siberia and China.
- India – In the trans-Himalayan ranges of the UTs of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
- Habitat – Cold deserts, rocky outcrops, steep terrain, high-land flats and mountain ridges to low mountains and foothills.
- Different types – Asian ibex (Siberian), Alphine ibex, Iberian ibex, Nubian ibex, Ethiopian ibex (Walia) and West Asian ibex.
- Himalayan ibex found in India is a distinct species from the Siberian Ibex.
- IUCN Red List –
- Vulnerable – Nubian ibex & Walia ibex
- Near threatened – Siberian ibex
- Least concern – Aplhine ibex & Iberian wild goat
There is a complete ban on hunting of all types of wild animals including blue sheep and Himalayan ibex in Lahaul & Spiti.
Source: Down to Earth
Previous Year Question
With reference to “Gucchi” sometimes mentioned in the news, consider the following statements:
1. It is a fungus.
2. It grows in some Himalayan forest areas.
3. It is commercially cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of north-eastern India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 2 and 3 only
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Statement 3 is not correct:
Gucchi mushrooms cannot be cultivated commercially and instead they grow wild only in some regions of hilly areas.
