Context:
A new species named Dicliptera Polymorpha found in the Northern Western Ghats of India.
Dicliptera Polymorpha:
- Can survive summer droughts and adapt to grassland fires.
- Dual Blooming Pattern – Blooms post-monsoon (November–April) and again in May–June after fires.
- Has inflorescence flower structures (flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a system of branches) that are uncommon in Indian species but similar to those found in African species.
- Threats to Species – Human-Induced Fires, Habitat Overuse including overgrazing and land-use changes
Western Ghats:
- Also known as Sahyadri Hills
- Location – Span across northern Maharashtra (Sahyadri), Karnataka and Tamil Nadu (Nilgiri Hills), and Kerala (Anamalai and Cardamom Hills).
- Listed under UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Biodiversity Hotspot – One of India’s 4 recognized biodiversity hotspots, home to many endemic and undiscovered species.
- Protected Areas – Includes 2 biosphere reserves, 13 national parks, several wildlife sanctuaries, and many reserve forests.
- Biosphere Reserves – Agasthyamala and Nilgiri
- Important National Parks – Silent Valley, Bandipur, Eravikulam, Wayanad-Mudumalai, Nagarhole
- Important Tiger Reserves – Kalakad Mudanthurai, Periyar
- Grassland Ecosystems – Support unique, fire-adapted flora and fauna, crucial for ecological balance.
- Endemic species – Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed Macaque
- Conservation Efforts –
- Gadgil Committee (2011) – Recommended declaring the entire Western Ghats as Ecological Sensitive Areas (ESA) with limited development.
- Kasturirangan Committee (2013) – Suggested bringing 37% of the Western Ghats under ESA, with a complete ban on mining, quarrying, and sand mining in these areas.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen in the news, are related to
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2016 Prelims]
(a) Constitutional reforms
(b) Ganga Action Plan
(c) Linking of rivers
(d) Protection of Western Ghats
Answer: (d)