My Science School

One of the very few places in the world for spotting lions in the wild, the Gir forest is home to the largest number of wild Asiatic lions. Located in southern Gujarat, the region was first declared a reserve forest, and eventually granted the status of a sanctuary in 1965. The Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is a dry scrubland spanning 1,400 sq.km. Around half of the forested area of the park is teak. The other half mostly has broad leaf and evergreen trees. The entire region is covered with dry deciduous forests, acacia scrub and grassland, and fed by rivers and reservoirs. Dominated by vegetation ideal for fauna, it is no surprise that over 250 species of birds are found in and around the area. This includes a whole variety from teals, kingfishers, nightjars and swifts to eagles, vultures, harriers, ibises and the oriental white-eye. While the lion is the most popular inhabitant of the Gir forest, the region also hosts the leopard, hyena, wild boar, spotted deer, nilgai, jackal, jungle cat, honey badger, porcupine etc. and reptiles such as Indian cobra and the marsh crocodile.

An unusual journey

The last time a tiger roamed Gujarat’s forest was in 1992. However, that changed in February 2019 when a school teacher saw a tiger crossing a road and took a photo on a phone. Having a big cat back in Gujarat was a huge moment of ecological victory. While the image went viral, the forest department got into action – camera traps were set up. Within a week, the tiger was spotted again; it was a young male. The same one that had started its journey from Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in neighbouring State Madhya Pradesh back in 2017. When it reached Gujarat, it had travelled about 300 km, one of the longest journeys for tiger. The hope was that the tiger could eventually reach Gir forest, where it would settle in a conductive environment full of prey. However, the tiger died within weeks – of starvation. When it roamed the forests in Gujarat, the State became the only one to host the lion, the tiger and the leopard. That joy turned out to be short-lived. However, the tiger also left behind hope that someday someone else from his species would follow him and perhaps ensure that the joy lasts forever.

Lion deaths

On June 10, 2020 Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that “Population of the majestic Asiatic Lion, living in Gujarat’s Gir forest, is up by almost 29% Geographically, distribution area is up by 36%.” While this was comforting news, a report released by the government around the same time wasn’t. it said that as many as 92 lions had died in Gujarat’s Asiatic Lion Landscape (ALL) since January 2020. ALL includes Gir National Park and Sanctuary, among a few other regions. These numbers are worrying, especially due to the canine distemper virus (CDV) outbreak that occurred in 2018. The virus infection had claimed the lives of more than 20 lions in Gir forest division in a matter of weeks. While the 92 lions “reportedly died of unnatural causes” this year, the State government has denied the presence of CDV.

 

Picture Credit : Google

Spanning two countries and spread over 2,00,000 sq.km., it is no surprise that Thar Desert is one of the largest deserts in the world. While easily much more than three-fourths of the desert spans four States in India – Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana.

However, despite its dry conditions and low rainfall, it hosts a large number of people, and a variety of flora and fauna. In fact, it is said that about 40% of the people in Rajasthan call the region home. The scrub, water-resistant trees and sparse grasslands support a variety of fauna.

Wildlife

At least 300 species of resident and migratory birds can be found here. Among them are the critically endangered great Indian bustard and lesser florican. Raptors include critically endangered red-headed vulture, white-rumped vulture and Indian vulture. Blackbuck, chinkara, Indian wild ass, desert fox, sloth bear, wild cat, several species of reptiles such as snakes and lizards, and insects such as beetles too can be spotted here.

Desertification

Desertification refers to the gradual degradation of dryland ecosystems caused due to soil and vegetation loss, resulting in more areas turning into dry regions. This happens due to continuous human activity such as agriculture, overgrazing, deforestation etc., and change in climate. This phenomenon is being observed globally, and it is no different in Thar Desert. A changing landscape with diminishing vegetation affects the various birds and animals too dependent on the region for survival. The Central Arid Zone Research Institute studied various aspects of desertification, including wind erosion/deposition, vegetation degradation etc. in the Thar Desert, especially in Rajasthan. The report released by the Institute in 2019 said that the damage is so severe that it could take a long while for the landscape to recover.

Two sides to locust attack

The Thar Desert was in the news a few months ago for locust invasion in the region. Considered one of the worst in decades, the attacks were reported from a few other neigbouring regions too, and the locusts made short work of the crop farmers had raised over several acres. The farmers were advised to spray pesticides on the crops to keep these hungry locusts at bay. This was of concern because while the insecticide killed the locusts, it could harm birds and other creatures eating locusts that die thus.

Meanwhile, it was lucky time for birds and animals that could feast on locusts while they were still alive and untouched by the pesticide. Locusts are said to be rich in protein. Apparently, several creatures in the wild – from the great Indian bustard to lizards, foxes, desert cats, jackals and wolves 0 had hearty and nutritious meals, thanks to the invasion. In fact, it is said that the insects helped increase reproduction rates in the bustards under the captive breeding programme.

 

Picture Credit : Google