December 2012

The Zoological Society of London and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released a list of 100 different species to be first in line for extinction from 48 different countries during the World Conservation Congress held in Republic of Korea on 11 September 2012. Tarzan’s Chameleon, The Spoon-Billed Sandpiper, The Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth, The Saola, The Brightly Coloured Willow Blister, Loughshare Tortoise-Angonoka, Rio Pescado Stubfoot Toad and Northern Muriqui- Wooly Spider Monkey are some of the most important species fearing extinction. Some of these threatened species from India and South-East Asia are the Great Indian Bustard along with the White-bellied Heron, the Peacock Tarantula as well as the Spoon-billed Sandpiper of India. The report also includes the name of the Sumatran and Javan Rhinos, which are considered to be the extinct species by now. The species that have been counted in the Red List of IUCN is White-bellied Heron, also known as the Imperial Heron. Estimations state that its number may be in between 70 to 400. As per Bird life International, the White-bellied Bustard is mainly found in the eastern foothills of Great Himalayas mainly in the north-east India, Bhutan, hills of North Bangladesh, North, West and Central Myanmar. These can be seen in small and big rivers adjacent to the subtropical broadleaf forests.

The experts from Species Survival Commission (SSC) have suggested the development of hydel power projects as the identified reason for this increase in downfall in the number of different species. The commission suggested that to bring these species back from the verge of extinction adverse use of river based habitats must be eliminated and captive rearing and release program should be brought into practice. Peacock Tarantula with its habitat in the reserve forests of Nandyal and Giddalur in Andhra Pradesh is facing a challenge of survival because of the degradation in the habitat caused due to the cutting of timber and firewood. Great Indian Bustard, numbered to be in between 50 to 249 is also facing a challenge because of the agricultural developments. To protect the species it was recommended to create a community reserve along with few protected areas nearby Indira Gandhi Nahar Project. The number of Indian Spoon-billed Sandpiper has dropped down to be in between 240 to 400. The rhinos with an identified number of 250 across the world are facing the biggest threat as these are hunted for their horns.

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