Description

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Context:

According to wildlife experts, poaching, infection, and habitat disturbance by local cattle have been the major reasons for the vanishing of bison from Jharkhand.

About Indian Bison

Aspect	Details
Scientific Name	Bos gaurus
Common Name	Indian Bison / Gaur
Size	Tallest species of wild cattle, largest extant cattle
Population	Estimated 13,000 to 30,000 Gaurs worldwide, with 85% of the population in India
Population in Nilgiris	Estimated 2,000 Gaurs in Nilgiris Forest Division (2020 estimation)
Geography	Found in South and Southeast Asia, primarily in India
Distribution in India	Widespread in the Western Ghats, particularly in Nagarhole NP, Bandipur NP, Masinagudi NP, and Biligirirangan Hills (BR Hills)
Other Locations	Also found in Burma and Thailand
Preferred Habitat	Evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests
Altitude Range	Not found in the Himalayas above 6,000 feet above sea level
Protection Status	Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List, Listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972)

Bison Population Status in Jharkhand

Bison, an important food source for the big cats, have become extinct across Jharkhand, except in the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR).
The current population of bison in the PTR is between 50 and 70, a significant decline since 1500 in the 1970s.

Reasons for rejection

The main factors include poaching, infection, and environmental disturbance caused by local livestock.
Domestic cattle, numbering more than 1.5 lakh, inhabit bison habitat, consume food, and spread infections such as foot-and-mouth disease.

Current conservation efforts

PTR initiated a study to assess factors affecting bison survival, including habitat improvement and grass species preference.
After the review, a comprehensive recovery plan will be created. To limit the spread of disease, a vaccination drive is underway to vaccinate 1.5 million domestic cattle from 190 surrounding villages.
Measures to improve pastures and against poaching are also being strengthened.

About Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR)

Feature	Details
Location	Western side of Latehar district, Chhotanagpur plateau, Jharkhand
Part of	Betla National Park
Tiger Reserve Creation	One of the first nine tiger reserves under "Project Tiger"
First Census	The first reservation in the world to conduct a tiger census using pugmark count (1932) under W. Nicholson
Terrain	Undulating, with valleys, hills, and plains
Rivers	North Koyal, Auranga, and Burha (only perennial river)
Geological Formation	Gneiss, with granite and limestone
Minerals	Rich in bauxite and coal
Vegetation Type	Northern tropical dry deciduous forest, Sal Forest, northern tropical moist deciduous forests
Dominant Plant Species	Shorea robusta, Acacia catechu, Madhuca indica, Terminalia tomentosa, Butea monosperma, Pterocarpus marsupium, Anogeisus latifolia, Indigofera pulchela
Major Fauna	Tigers, elephants, leopards, gray wolf, gaur, sloth bear, four-horned antelope, Indian ratel, Indian otter, Indian pangolin

Source:

The Hindu

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements regarding the Indian Bison:

It is the largest extant cattle species in the world.
The Indian Bison population in India constitutes about 85% of the global population.
It is listed as a Vulnerable species in the IUCN Red List and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

A) Only one

B) Only two

C) All three

D) None

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Indian Bison (Bos gaurus) is the tallest and largest living species of wild cattle. It prefers lower altitudes, specifically in evergreen and moist deciduous forests.

Statements 2 and 3 are correct: India has the majority of the global population of Gaurs, estimated between 13,000 to 30,000 worldwide. The Indian Bison is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is given the highest level of protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.