IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

Porcupine                                                         

21st February, 2022 Environment

                                                        Copyright infringement is not intended

 

Context: Thousands of farmers in the Kashmir Valley are facing a new and unusual enemy to their livelihood - porcupines attacking almond and apple trees.

 

  • It attacks trees during winters and peels the bark of fruit tree. Eventually the tree dies within one year.

 

About Porcupines:

  • They are large, thorny rodents.
  • Their coats with sharp spines or quills protect them against predation.
  • They have a relatively high longevity and hold the record for being the longest-living rodent.
  • Defensive behaviour displays in a porcupine depend on sight, scent and sound.
  • Indian Crested Porcupine is the largest rodent of India, which is widely distributed in the Indian Subcontinent.
  • One of the highly traded species in India due to the superstitious belief.
  • Conservation status:
    • least concern species of IUCN Red List
    • Under Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972

 

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/apple-almond-orchards-being-destroyed-in-kashmir-because-porcupines-2774647#:~:text=Thousands%20of%20farmers%20in%20the,attacking%20almond%20and%20apple%20trees.&text=%22It%20is%20attacking%20trees%20during,tree%20dies%20within%20one%20year.