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- Garbhanga reserve forest in Assam is soon likely to be notified as a wildlife sanctuary.
- If notified, the Garbhanga reserve forest bordering Meghalaya will become the 25th wildlife sanctuary in Assam.
- “In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 18(1), (2) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended up-to-date, the governor of Assam is pleased to declare its intention to constitute the land described in the Schedules annexe here to as Garbhanga Wildlife Sanctuary,” a notification from Assam Governor stated.
- The governor of Assam has also appointed deputy commissioner of Kamrup-Metro district as collector under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 under Section 18(B) of the Wildlife (Protection), Act, 1972 to inquire into and determine the existence, nature and extent of rights of any person in or over the land comprised within the limits described.
- Assam is part of the transitional zone between the Indian, Indo- Malayan and Indo- Chinese Biographical regions. Favourable climate, topographic and edaphic factors support luxuriant growth of diverse plant communities and create varied habitats.
- With existence of one of the most diverse faunal population; Assam provides the gateway for spread of both oriental and Palaearctic fauna to other parts of the country.
Wild Animals in Assam
- Assam is home to over 180 species of mammals, including rare and endangered species like the great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, the royal Bengal tiger, the golden langur and hoolock gibbon, and a spectacular range of avifauna.
- Assam’s most famous parks are Kaziranga and Manas. Both were conferred World Heritage Status in 1985.
Rare and Endangered Species
- Extinct: Bambusa mastersii, Cleisostoma arietinum, Cyperus corymbosus, Dendrobium assamicum, Dendrobium aurantiacum, Hetaeria anomala, Liparis stachyurus and Sapria himalayana. Paphiopedilum specerianum is reported to be extinct in wild.
- Besides the above; 284 species of plants are observed to be critically endangered, 149 species as endangered, 58 species as vulnerable, 13 species as near threatened.
What is a Wildlife Sanctuary?
- A wildlife sanctuary is an area where animal habitats and their surroundings are protected from any sort of disturbance. The capturing, killing and poaching of animals is strictly prohibited in these regions.
- They aim at providing a comfortable living to the animals.
Importance of Wildlife Sanctuaries
Biodiversity Protection (Steps Taken By Indian Government)
- India is a signatory to several major international conventions relating to conservation and management of wildlife.
- Some of these are Convention on Biological Diversity, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals etc.
- Financial and Technical assistance is provided to State/Union Territory Governments for protection and Management of Protected Areas under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
- The Central Government has enacted the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. This Act provides for the creation of Protected Areas for the protection of wildlife and also provides for punishment for hunting of specified fauna specified in the schedules I to IV
- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offenders.
- Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 have been framed for the protection of wetlands, in the States.
- Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been established for control of illegal trade in wildlife, including endangered species.
- The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-System also provides assistance to the States for the management of wetlands including Ramsar sites in the country.
Other Indian Acts
- Fisheries Act 1897.
- Indian Forests Act 1927.
- Mining and Mineral Development Regulation Act 1957.
- Prevention of cruelty to animals 1960.
- Wildlife protection act 1972.
- Water (prevention and control of pollution) act 1974.
- Forest Conservation Act 1980.
- Air(prevention and control of pollution) act 1981.
- Environment Protection Act 1986.
- Biological Diversity Act 2002.
- Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers (recognition of rights) act 2006.
Policies related to Environment
- National Forest Policy.
- National Conservation Strategy and Policy statement on Environment and Development.
- National Policy and macro-level action strategy on Biodiversity.
- National Biodiversity Action Plan (2009).
- National Agriculture Policy.
- National Water Policy.
- National Environment Policy (2006).
Question:
Keibul Lamjao National Park is located on which lake?
- Wular Lake
- Dal Lake
- Loktak Lake
- Kolleru Lake
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