Context:
A nocturnal flying squirrel has resurfaced in Arunachal Pradesh after going missing for 42 years.
Flying Squirrel:
- They are nocturnal species.
- A special membrane between their front and back legs that allows them to glide through the air between trees.
- Habitat –
- Northern and southern flying squirrels – North America
- Namdapha flying squirrel – Temperate and tropical forests of India and other parts of Asia.
- Namdapha flying squirrel – Last found in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Diet – Omnivores
- IUCN Status – Critically endangered
Namdapha National Park:
- Location –
- State: Arunachal Pradesh
- Close proximity to Indo-Myanmar-China tri-junction
- Located between – Dapha bum range of the Mishmi Hills and the Patkai range.
- 4th largest national park in India
- Namdapha river originates here and meets Noa-Dehing river (a tributary of the Brahmaputra)
- Declared as a Tiger Reserve in 1983
- Climate – Varies from tropical to subtropical, temperature and arctic
- Biodiversity –
- Only park in the World to have the 4 Feline species of big cat (Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Clouded Leopard)
- Hoolock Gibbons, the only ‘ape’ species found in India is here.
- Other Protected Areas in Arunachal Pradesh –
- Pakke Tiger Reserve
- Mouling National Park
- Kamlang Tiger Reserve
- Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
With reference to India’s Desert National Park, which of the following statements are correct?
1. It is spread over two districts.
2. There is no human habitation inside the Park.
3. It is one of the natural habitats of the Great Indian Bustard.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
Normally human activities are not allowed in National Park but many villagers lived inside Desert National park, and they did not have access to even basic facility like road, electricity and water. In 2017, Supreme Court ordered the government to provide such facilities to them. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
