Context:
A recent study on jungle cats in India highlights that a significant population thrives outside protected areas, emphasizing the role of agro-pastoral landscapes in conservation.
Key Highlights:
- Population Estimates:
- Estimated population ranges between 1.57 lakh to 4.59 lakh
- Approximate median estimate: ~3 lakh individuals
- Habitat Preferences:
- Prefer agro-pastoral landscapes (farmlands + grazing areas)
- Found widely outside protected areas
- Geographical Distribution:
- Highest populations in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Odisha
- Scientific Methods:
- Use of camera traps and machine learning models to map habitats
- Threats Identified:
- Habitat loss due to infrastructure expansion
- Hybridisation with domestic cats
- Disease transmission from stray dogs
- Weak enforcement of Wildlife Protection laws
- Conservation Concerns:
- Protected areas alone are insufficient
- Need for wildlife corridors and passageways
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Jungle Cat (Felis chaus):
- Medium-sized wild cat native to South and Southeast Asia
- Habitat: wetlands, grasslands, agricultural lands
- Protection Status:
- Listed under Schedule II of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- IUCN Status: Least Concern
- Agro-pastoral Landscapes:
- Regions combining agriculture + livestock grazing
- Important for biodiversity outside forests
- Hybridisation:
- Interbreeding between wild and domestic species → genetic dilution
- Camera Trapping:
- Non-invasive method for wildlife monitoring
Relevant Mains Points:
- Limitations of Protected Area-Based Conservation:
- Majority of wildlife lives outside notified reserves
- Over-reliance leads to policy gaps in open ecosystems
- Importance of Open Ecosystems:
- Grasslands and scrublands often labelled as “wastelands”
- Support rich biodiversity and ecosystem services
- Human-Wildlife Interface:
- Agro-landscapes create coexistence opportunities
- But also increase conflict and disease risks
- Policy Gaps:
- Weak enforcement of Wildlife Protection Act in non-protected areas
- Lack of recognition of non-forest habitats
- Infrastructure vs Ecology:
- Roads, railways fragment habitats → need wildlife corridors
- Way Forward:
- Shift to landscape-level conservation approach
- Recognize and protect grasslands and scrub ecosystems
- Strengthen community-based conservation
- Integrate wildlife passageways in infrastructure planning
- Control stray animal populations to reduce disease spread
UPSC Relevance:
• GS 3: Environment & Ecology – Conservation beyond protected areas
• GS 1: Indian Geography – Distribution of fauna
• Prelims: Wildlife protection status, habitats, conservation approaches