Environment & Ecology
Species Conservation
Welcome to the Species Conservation study hub, a critical domain within your UPSC Environment & Ecology preparation. Species Conservation refers to the practice of protecting wild animal and plant species and their habitats. It encompasses
28 articles in this topic
Articles on Species Conservation
India’s cheetah population hits 53 with new litter at Kuno
Source: The Hindu(Page6) | Syllabus: GS3(Environment)
192 bird species recorded in Silent Valley
Source: The Hindu(Page3) | Syllabus: GS3(Environment)
India's New Fruit Fly Species Discovery: Unpacking Biodiversity, Taxonomy, and Conservation for UPSC
The discovery of new fruit fly species in India highlights the nation's rich biodiversity and the critical need for robust taxonomic research and conservation. This article dissects India's institutional and legal frameworks, examines the 'taxonomic impediment' as a key challenge, and provides a comparative assessment of biodiversity data management for UPSC aspirants.
Cheetahs moving from Kuno to Rajasthan showing ‘natural territorial behaviour’: NTCA
Source: The Hindu(Page4) | Syllabus: GS3(Environment)
Cooling effect: on the wane
Source: The Hindu(Page7) | Syllabus: GS3(Environment)
Nearly half of world’s migratory wildlife protected under UN treaty facing population decline, says new report
Source: Indian express(Page2) | Syllabus: GS3(Environment)
Nilgiri Wood Pigeon: Conservation Challenges in the Western Ghats | UPSC Mains Analysis
Explore the significance, habitat, and conservation challenges of the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, an endemic species of the Western Ghats, and the implications of climate change on biodiversity.
Invasive Mosquito Species Threatens India’s 2030 Malaria Elimination Goal
Context As per the Malaria Elimination Technical Report, 2025 urban malaria has emerged as a national concern threatening India’s goal of eliminating the mosquito-borne disease by 2030. Major Highlights Drivers of Transmission: Asymptomatic infections, difficult terrain, and population movement continue to drive transmission. Cross-border transmission from Myanmar and Bangladesh also continues to affect border districts in northeastern India.
Human-wildlife Conflict
Context The National Tiger Conservation Authority appraised the expansion of Project Cheetah and reviewed measures to address human-wildlife conflict. What is human-wildlife conflict (HWC)? HWC refers to the negative interaction between humans and wild animals, leading to adverse impacts such as injury or loss of human lives, crop, livestock and other properties, and equally negative impacts on wild animals and or their habitats.
Mangroves’ Cells Help Plants Survive in Saltwater
Context A new study published in Current Biology explains the cellular adaptations that enable mangrove species to tolerate extreme salt stress, offering insights for developing salt-tolerant crops in the future. Key Highlights of the Study Key cellular traits (not stomata-based): Mangroves do not rely on smaller or more numerous stomata to increase photosynthesis. Instead, they exhibit: unusually small leaf epidermal pavement cells and thicker cell walls, which together give them more mechanica
BNHS to Reintroduce Two Vulture Species in Assam
Context The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), is set to reintroduce two critically endangered vulture species, Slender-billed Vultures (Gyps tenuirostris) and White-rumped Vultures (Gyps bengalensis), in Assam. Vulture Vultures are one of the 22 species of large carrion-eating birds that live mostly in the tropics and subtropics. India is home to nine species of Vulture namely the Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous and the
India, Botswana Cheetah Translocation Pact
In News India and Botswana formally announced the translocation of eight Cheetahs to India as a part of ‘Project Cheetah’. About India declared the cheetah extinct in 1952, after decades of over-hunting, habitat fragmentation, and depletion of prey species. The launch of Project Cheetah in 2022 and the arrival of cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa created the world’s first intercontinental relocation programme for a large carnivore.
National Red List Roadmap and Vision 2025–2030
In News India has officially launched its National Red List Roadmap and Vision 2025–2030 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, marking a transformative step in species assessment and conservation planning. National Red List Roadmap and Vision 2025–2030 It envisions publishing Red Data Books for both flora and fauna, providing authoritative documentation of threatened species. It is developed by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Botanical Survey of India (BSI), IUCN India, and the Cen
Invasive Alien Species
In News Conservation scientists warn that invasive alien species are destroying local biodiversity and habitats in India. Invasive alien species Definition: They are non-native organisms introduced accidentally or intentionally (e.g., ornamental fish, decorative plants, or for land restoration). They often lack natural predators in the new environment, allowing them to multiply unchecked.
Evolution of Bat Wings
Context A study published in Nature Ecology Evolution explores how bats evolved wings from the same five-digit mammalian limb structure. Key Points Bats are the only mammals that can fly. Their wings formed from the same five-fingered limbs found in other mammals.
Light Pollution Impacting Biodiversity
In News A recent global study has found that artificial light at night is significantly altering bird behaviour, causing many species to stay active for up to an hour longer after sunset. What Is Light Pollution? Light pollution refers to the excessive or inappropriate use of artificial outdoor lighting, which disrupts natural darkness.
Cost of Dealing with Invasive Species
Context According to a recent study published in Nature Ecology Evolution, invasive non-native plants and animals have inflicted more than $2.2 trillion in damages worldwide since 1960, and found that the true costs may be 16 times higher than previously estimated. Common invasive species in India Among the most costly to manage are Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica) and common lantana (Lantana camara). In India, the MoEFCC recognizes over 154 invasive faunal species, spanning terrestrial,
Coral Cover in Lakshadweep Saw a 50% Reduction: Study
Context A study revealed that corals in the Lakshadweep archipelago have declined to half of what they were in 1998. What are Corals? Corals are invertebrates that belong to a large group of animals called Cnidaria.
Kerala: As India’s Top Biodiversity Discovery Hotspot
Context Kerala has claimed the top spot as the country’s leading state for new faunal discoveries, in a record-breaking year for India’s biodiversity documentation. Other Notable Discoveries A Snake Species from Himachal Pradesh named Anguiculus Dicaprioi, honoring actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio for his advocacy on climate and biodiversity issues. Other Herpetological highlights include two new genera; 37 reptilian species; and Five amphibians, including one representing a new genu
Scientists Find Pheromone that Causes Locusts to Swarm
Context Researchers have shown that it’s possible to manipulate pheromones released by locusts to prevent them from swarming or engaging in group behaviour that leads to the feeding frenzy. About Locust swarms have historically caused massive damage to agriculture across regions. They collect in large swarms and eat through thousands of hectares of crops in a matter of days.