Context:
As per the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) data the vegetation of Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary had declined from 2000 to 2020.
Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Location – Gujarat, India.
- Part of the Gir Protected Area, which also includes Gir Forest National Park.
- Also known as Sasan Gir.
- Geographical Features – Located in the rugged terrain of the Girnar hills.
- Vegetation – Mostly consists of Deciduous and Thorny scrubland
- Deciduous – It sheds their leaves seasonally, usually in the dry season.
- Thorny scrubland – It is found in areas with low water availability and these plants have fewer leaves.
- Flora and Fauna -Notable for the presence of Asiatic lions.
- Historical and Cultural Significance – Girnar Hills is an important pilgrimage site for Jain and Hindu communities.
Asiatic Lions:
- Also known as the Persian Lion or Indian Lion.
- They tend to be smaller in size compared to African lions.
- 1 among the 5 big cats found in India – Better known as ‘the king of beasts’
- Most striking morphological character – A longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly [rarely seen in African lions]
- Behaviour –
- The male lion doesn’t seek a large group and prefers to be with its 2 or 3 female loins.
- Male Asiatic Lion spends up to 20 hours per day resting or sleeping
- Gir National Park – Only abode of the Asiatic lion
- Protection Status –
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I
- Initiatives –
- Asiatic Lion Conservation Project – Launched by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- Project Lion – A conservation initiative aimed at protecting the Asiatic Lion in Gujarat, particularly in the Gir landscape.
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season.
2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.
3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2024 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 3 is not correct: Leopards are territorial and mark their territory with faeces, urine and cheek-rubbing on trees. They can also leave scrape markings on the ground, trees or logs. This communicates to other leopards passing through that the territory they are in is occupied.
