Gaur sighted in NSTR after decades

Description

Indian gaur

Source: Times of India

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Context

The Indian gaur which is locally extinct for decades has reappeared in the NSTR and indicates possible reintroduction efforts to revive its population.

Details

Key points:

Recently, locally extinct India Gaur has reappeared in Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR), Andhra Pradesh after decades.
Previous sighting was noted in Amarabad Tiger Reserve, Telangana.
Agricultural expansion and hunting are primary reasons for extinction.

Indian Gaur

Habitat	Tropical dry deciduous forests, grasslands and hill forests.
Features	It weighs around one ton. It falls under the category of Mega herbivore (similar to elephants)
Conservation Status	Listed as Vulnerable by IUCN
Threats	Habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and deforestation. Hunting and poaching. Human-wildlife conflicts.

Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR)

Location
- It is located in Nallamala hills, an offshoot of the Eastern Ghats.
- River Krishna flows along the Tiger Reserve.
Flora
- Southern tropical dry deciduous forests
- Teak, Anogeissus are the key species.
Fauna
- It is home for various mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians etc.
- Top faunal species include tigers, leopards, wolves, wild dogs and jackals.
Tribes
- Chenchus are the major tribe in the tiger reserve.