Uttarakhand

• 30 Dec 2024

Fishing Cat Collaring Project

Why in News? 

• The Wildlife Institute of India-Dehradun is set to launch India’s first Fishing Cat Collaring Project at Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary. 

 Key Points 

• Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary: 
  • Spanning 235 square kilometres, Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) is India’s second-largest mangrove habitat. 
  • It is home to the endangered fishing cat. 
  • Located in the Godavari estuary, the sanctuary lies at the confluence of the Coringa River and the Bay of Bengal in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. 
  • Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary in the Krishna estuarine forest area is another habitat for the fishing cat. 
• Fishing Cat Population Trends: 
  • The first fishing cat survey in 2018 recorded a population of 115 individuals. 
  • Sightings have increased significantly over the past five years, suggesting population growth in and around the sanctuary. 
• Mangrove Conservation and Community Role: 
  • Local communities, through the Environment Development Committees (EDCs), actively conserve the mangrove ecosystem. 
  • A total of 420 locals are part of the EDCs, which also manage Community-Based Eco-Tourism (CBET) for alternative livelihoods. 
• India’s First Fishing Cat Collaring Project: 
  • The Wildlife Institute of India-Dehradun is executing India’s first Fishing Cat Collaring Project as part of the second fishing cat census. 
  • This three-year project aims to study the species' home range, behaviour, habitat ecology, feeding habits, and space use. 
  • The project plans to collar 10 fishing cats with lightweight GIS-equipped devices. 
  • The collaring is expected to be completed by March or April 2025. 
• Ramsar Convention Site Proposal: 
  • The Andhra Pradesh Forest Department is striving to secure Ramsar Convention Site status for Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary due to its rich biodiversity and ecological significance. 

 Wildlife Institute of India 

• It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 
• It was established in 1982. 
• It is based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. 
• It offers training programs, academic courses, and advisory in wildlife research and management. 

Fishing Cats 

 

• Scientific Name: Prionailurus viverrinus. 
• Description: 
  • It is twice the size of a house cat. 
  • The fishing cat is nocturnal (active at night) and apart from fish also preys on frogs, crustaceans, snakes, birds, and scavenges on carcasses of larger animals. 
  • The species breed all year round. 
  • They spend most of their lives in areas of dense vegetation close to water bodies and are excellent swimmers. 
• Habitat: 
  • Fishing cats have a patchy distribution along the Eastern Ghats. They abound in estuarine floodplains, tidal mangrove forests and also inland freshwater habitats. 
  • Apart from Sundarbans in West Bengal and Bangladesh, fishing cats inhabit the Chilika lagoon and surrounding wetlands in Odisha, Coringa and Krishna mangroves in Andhra Pradesh. 
• Threats: 
  • A major threat for fishing cats is the destruction of wetlands, their preferred habitat. 
  • Shrimp farming is another growing threat to mangrove habitats of the Fishing Cat. 
  • This unique cat also faces threats from hunting for meat and skin. 
  • Tribal hunters indulge in ritual hunting practices throughout the year. 
  • It is also occasionally poached for its skin. 
• Protection Status: 
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable 
  • CITES: Appendix II 
  • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I