Utricularia Found in Keoladeo National Park

• 17 Jan 2025

Why in News? 

Recently, a rare and unique carnivorous plant, 'Utricularia,' has been discovered in Rajasthan's Keoladeo National Park.  

• Commonly known as bladderworts, this plant is typically found in regions like Meghalaya and Darjeeling. 

 

Key Points 

• Role in Biodiversity: 
  • Experts believe the presence of bladderworts in the park enhances biodiversity and positively contributes to the ecosystem of Keoladeo. 
  • Utricularia plays a vital role in maintaining environmental balance by capturing small insects. 
    • It was last discovered in India in 2021 in the Mandal Valley of Chamoli, Uttarakhand, after a 36-year gap. 
• Feeding Mechanism: 
  • The plant entraps creatures such as protozoa, insects, larvae, mosquitoes, and tadpoles in its bladder-like traps. 
    • Once trapped, the organism dies inside the bladder. 
  • Terrestrial species of Utricularia thrive in soil filled with water, where they capture small swimming creatures. 
• Ideal Growth Conditions: 
  • The growth of Utricularia is due to the abundant water supply from the Panchana Dam, which creates ideal conditions for the plant’s growth. 

 Keoladeo National Park 

• About: 
  • It is a wetland and bird sanctuary and a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Bharatpur, Rajasthan.  
    • Chilika Lake (Orissa) and Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) were recognized as the first Ramsar Sites of India in 1981. 
    • Currently, Keoladeo National Park and Loktak Lake (Manipur) are in the Montreux Record. 
  • It is known for its rich avian diversity and abundance of waterbirds and is home to over 365 species of birds, including several rare and threatened species, such as the Siberian crane.  
• Fauna:  
  • Animals such as jackals, sambar, nilgai, wild cats, hyenas, wild boar, porcupine and mongoose can be found in the region. 
• Flora:  
  • The principal vegetation types are tropical dry deciduous forest dominated by Acacia nilotica intermixed with dry grassland. 
• River:   
  • Gambhir and Banganga are two rivers that flow through this National Park