Indian Bison (Gaur) | 17 Oct 2022

Why in News?

Recently, Sri Lanka asked India to translocate 6 Indian Bisons to reintroduce them in the island from where they became extinct by the end of 17^th century.

• If the project is cleared, it would be the first such agreement between India and Sri Lanka.

What are the Important Facts about Indian Bison?

• About:
  • The Indian Bison or Gaur (Bos gaurus) is the tallest species of wild cattle found in India and largest extant bovine.
  • There are about 13,000 to 30,000 gaurs in the world with approximately 85% of the population present in India.
    • The first-ever population estimation exercise of the Indian gaur carried out in the Nilgiris Forest Division in February 2020 estimated around 2,000 Indian gaurs to be inhabiting the division.

• Geography:
  • It is native to South and Southeast Asia.
  • In India, they are very much prevalent in the Western Ghats.
    • They are primarily found in Nagarhole National Park , Bandipur National Park, Masinagudi National Park and Biligirirangana Hills (BR Hills).
  • It is also found in Burma and Thailand.
• Habitat:
  • They prefer evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests.
    • However, they can survive in dry deciduous forests also.
  • They are not found in the Himalayas with an altitude greater than 6,000 ft.
    • They generally stick to the foothills only.
• Food Habits:
  • The Indian Bison is a grazing animal and generally feeds in the early morning and in the late evenings.
• Conservation Status:
  • Vulnerable in IUCN Red List.
  • Included in the Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
• Threats:
  • Food Scarcity: Due to the destruction in the grasslands, planting of commercially important trees, invasive plant species and indiscriminate grazing of domestic animals
  • Poaching: For their commercial value as well as due to the high demand of gaur meat.
  • Habitat Loss: Due to deforestation and commercial plantations.
  • Human-Animal Conflict: Due to living in proximity with human habitations.

Source: TH