Description

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

A rare Binturong that is Arctictis binturong was captured on a camera trap in Narang Wari Village Reserve Forest (VRF).

The VRF is situated in the buffer zone of Balpakram National Park which is a part of Meghalaya's Garo Hills Elephant Landscape.

About Binturong (Bearcat)

Feature	Details
Scientific Name	Arctictis binturong
Family	Viverridae (Civet family)
Common Name	Bearcat
Conservation Status	IUCN: Vulnerable WPA 1972: Schedule I CITES: Appendix III
Physical Features	Long shaggy black hair, prehensile tail, bushy tail, scent glands under tail
Size	Head-body: 60–95 cm; Tail: 55–90 cm; Weight: 9–14 kg
Activity	Arboreal, nocturnal and crepuscular
Habitat Range	Dense forests of South and Southeast Asia – from Nepal and India to Java and Borneo
Ecological Role	Important seed disperser, especially of figs → vital for forest regeneration

Garo Green Spine Project

Launched by WTI with support from WLT, HCL Foundation, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and GHADC.

Goal: Establish an unbroken wilderness corridor connecting West Garo Hills, Nokrek National Park, and Balpakram National Park.

Garo Hills Elephant Landscape

Component	Details
Geographical Spread	3500 km2
Major Protected Areas	Balpakram NP, Nokrek NP, Siju WLS
Special Designations	Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, 5 elephant corridors
Elephant Population	800 to 1000
Forest Ownership	7 to 8% with State Forest Dept.; majority under GHADC & communities

Balpakram National Park Biodiversity Hotspot

Feature	Description
Location	South Garo Hills district
Established	1987
Area	200 km2
Nickname	Land of Perpetual Winds
Altitude	3000 ft above sea level
Flora	Pitcher Plant, Orchids, Drosera
Fauna	Elephants, Tigers, Hillock Gibbons, Great Indian Hornbill, Wild buffalo, Leopards

Sources:

HUBNETWORK

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements about the Binturong and its conservation in India.

The Binturong is a strictly herbivorous mammal found only in the Western Ghats of India.
The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 includes the Binturong under Schedule I species.
Village Reserve Forests in the Garo Hills are designated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The Garo Green Spine project aims to create a contiguous forest corridor between Nokrek and Balpakram National Parks.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1 and 4 only

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect. The Binturong is not strictly herbivorous; it is omnivorous feeding on fruits especially figs, leaves, birds, fish and carrion. Also it is not limited to the Western Ghats; it is found in northeast India and Southeast Asia.

Statement 2 is correct. Binturong is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 indicating the highest level of protection.

Statement 3 is incorrect. Village Reserve Forests in the Garo Hills are designated by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council. GHADC manages community owned forests under the Sixth Schedule provisions.

Statement 4 is correct. The Garo Green Spine project is a conservation initiative that aims to connect fragmented forest patches to form an unbroken wilderness corridor between Nokrek National Park and Balpakram National Park.