Study to Revive Bison Population

• 21 Jan 2025

Why in News? 

Recently, the Jharkhand Forest Department launched a study to revive the declining population of Bison, commonly known as Gaur, at Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR). 

 Key Points 

• Bison Population Status in Jharkhand: 
  • Bison, an important food source for big cats, has gone extinct across Jharkhand, except in the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR). 
  • The current bison population in PTR is between 50 and 70, a significant decline from the 1970s, when it stood at around 150. 
• Reasons for Decline: 
  • Major factors include poaching, infections, and habitat disturbances caused by local cattle. 
  • Domestic cattle, numbering over 1.5 lakh, occupy the bison's habitat, consuming their food and spreading infections like mouth and foot disease. 
• Current Conservation Efforts: 
  • The PTR authority has initiated a study to assess factors affecting bison survival, including habitat improvement and grass species preferences. 
    • A comprehensive revival plan will be created after the study. 
  • To curb the spread of diseases, a vaccination drive is underway to vaccinate 1.5 lakh domestic cattle from 190 surrounding villages. 
  • Grassland improvement and anti-poaching measures are also being strengthened. 
• Core and Buffer Zone Management: 
  • PTR spans 1,129.93 sq km, with 414.08 sq km designated as core (critical tiger habitat) and 715.85 sq km as a buffer zone. 
  • Betla National Park occupies 226.32 sq km of PTR, with 53 sq km in the buffer zone open to tourists. 
  • Efforts are underway to relocate eight of the 34 villages within PTR limits to protect core habitats. 

 The 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. 
  • They are not found in the Himalayas with an altitude greater than 6,000 ft. 
• Conservation Status: 
  • Vulnerable in IUCN Red List. 
  • Included in the Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.