Context:
Golden-headed Cisticola found in Mathikettan Shola National Park.
Mathikettan Shola National Park:
- Location – Kerala.
- Known for its unique shola forest and elephant corridor.
- Vegetation – Evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, shola grasslands.
- Shola grasslands – Unique high-altitude ecosystems found in the Western Ghats, characterized by a mix of stunted forests (sholas) and grasslands.
- Biodiversity – Lion-tailed macaque (endemic and threatened species), Gaur, wild boar, sambar, langur, etc.
- Rivers – Uchillkuthi Puzha, Mathikettan Puzha, Njandar (tributaries of Panniyar).
- Major Tribal group – Muthavan
Golden-headed Cisticola:
- Also known as the bright-capped cisticola
- Omnivorous, primarily eating invertebrates such as insects and small slugs
- Habitat – Usually found in grasslands in the mountain ranges.
- Distribution – Australia and Asian countries.
- In India it has been observed in parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
- Can be easily identified by their distinctive call.
- IUCN Conservation Status – Least Concern
Source: TH
Previous Year Question
Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in the news?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics.
(b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows.
(c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides.
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b)