Uttarakhand State PCS

• 20 May 2024

Snow Leopards Spotted in Gangotri National Park

Why in News?

Recently, a Snow Leopard was spotted in Gangotri National Park in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.

Key Points

• In the latest snow leopard census of India, released earlier in 2024, there are 718 snow leopards in India. Out of which, 124 are in Uttarakhand.
  • The hill state has the second highest snow leopard population in India, after Ladakh (477). The Gangotri National Park boasts a population of 38–40 snow leopards.
  • Listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, it is estimated that the global population of snow leopards is less than 10,000.
• In Uttarakhand, snow leopards are found in Uttarkashi, Tehri, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar districts.

Gangotri National Park

• It was established in 1989 and is situated in Uttarkashi, Uttrakhand in the upper catchment of Bhagirathi River.
• Gaumukh at Gangotri glacier, the origin of river Ganga, is located inside the park.
• The park area forms a viable continuity between Govind National Park and Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Flora: The park is enveloped by dense coniferous forests that are mostly temperate. Chirpine, deodar, fir, spruce, oak and rhododendron are the common vegetation.
• Fauna: Various rare and endangered species like bharal or blue sheep, black bear, brown bear, himalayan monal, himalayan snowcock, himalayan tahr, musk deer and snow leopard are found in the park.

Chinese Heron Sighted in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

Recently, The Chinese Pond Heron, a bird usually found in the northeastern states, Rajasthan and Bhutan, has been seen for the first time in Uttarakhand.

Key Points

• According to experts, there was no record of the presence of the Chinese Pond Heron in Uttarakhand.
  • For the first time, the bird has chosen the Kotdwar area of Lansdowne forest division for breeding.
• Many migratory birds are visible in the dense forests of Saneh area of Kotdwar and Lansdowne forest division during the summer.
  • The arrival of birds from northeastern states here is an indication that the environment here is favourable for them.

Chinese Pond Heron

• The Chinese pond heron (Ardeola bacchus) is an East Asian freshwater bird of the heron family.
  • It is one of six species of birds known as "pond herons" (genus Ardeola).
• It is typically 47 cm (19 in) long with white wings, a yellow bill with a black tip, yellow eyes and legs.
  • Its overall colour is red, blue and white during breeding season, and greyish-brown and flecked with white at other times.
• It is found in shallow fresh and saltwater wetlands and ponds.
• It is fairly common and considered a Least concern (LC) species by the IUCN Red List.