Current Affairs - Environment

Project Cheetah is the initiative under which India reintroduced cheetahs to restore the species after it was declared extinct in 1952. The programme involved the intercontinental translocation of 20 cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa during 2022–23, marking the world’s first such effort for a large carnivore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the first batch at Kuno National Park in September 2022. The recent birth of three cubs to the South African cheetah Gamini has raised India’s cheetah population to 38, reflecting steady progress in wildlife conservation and the long-term goal of establishing a sustainable population.

The Sangtam Naga tribal body in Nagaland has imposed a ban on the hunting and trade of pangolins, marking a significant step toward wildlife conservation in Northeast India. Pangolins are among the most trafficked mammals globally, targeted for their scales and meat. Despite legal protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, illegal trade continues in several regions. The community-led decision strengthens local monitoring and supports broader conservation initiatives aimed at countering wildlife trafficking. Such grassroots efforts complement national laws and highlight the vital role of indigenous communities in protecting endangered species.

The Finke River, located in Australia’s Northern Territory and parts of South Australia, is recognised as the world’s oldest surviving river system, with origins dating back 300–400 million years. Flowing through the MacDonnell Ranges, it provides unique insights into Earth’s geological history. Despite its intermittent flow, the river maintains a continuous ancient course, cutting through hard quartzite mountains due to the geological phenomenon of antecedence. Its survival over hundreds of millions of years highlights slow geological changes in central Australia and its role as a rare natural archive of deep-time erosion patterns, sediments, and climate history.

Kerala has taken a significant step toward biodiversity and insect conservation by renaming the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary. This decision recognizes the region’s exceptional diversity of butterfly species, supported by dense forests and favorable climatic conditions in the Western Ghats. Butterflies are vital pollinators and sensitive ecological indicators, making their conservation crucial for forest health. The new sanctuary status aims to protect fragile habitats, promote research, encourage eco-tourism, and involve local communities through awareness programs and sustainable livelihood initiatives, strengthening long-term ecological protection in northern Kerala.

The Eastern Imperial Eagle, a rare migratory raptor, was recently spotted at Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu during the winter season. This sighting underscores Mudumalai’s significance as a key habitat for migratory birds of prey, offering open grasslands, forest edges, tall nesting trees, and abundant prey. The reserve, part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, supports diverse wildlife and helps maintain ecological balance as these top predators regulate small mammal populations. Increasing tourism pressure poses challenges, making sustainable management critical to protect both migratory and resident species in this ecologically sensitive area.