Indian Pangolin "EMPOWER IAS"

In news:

• ​​​​​​​The Madhya Pradesh forest department, for the first time, has radio-tagged an Indian Pangolin.

 

More from the news:

• Radio-tagging involves attaching a transmitter to an animal to monitor its movements. Several wild animals — tigers, leopards and migratory birds — have been tagged over decades.
• Indian Pangolin has been radio-tagged in order to know its ecology and develop an effective conservation plan for it.
• This measure comes as the world gets ready to observe the ninth ‘World Pangolin Day’ on 15^th February, 2020.
• World Pangolin Day, celebrated on the third Saturday in February every year, is an international attempt to raise awareness of pangolins and bring together stakeholders to help protect these species from extinction.
• The radio-tagging is part of a joint project by the forest department and non-profit organisation, the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT).

 

How is tagging helpful?

• Help understand the habits: Tagging the animal will help understand the habits of the reclusive, nocturnal animal.
• Monitor its movements: Radio-tagging involves attaching a transmitter to an animal to monitor its movements.
• Curb poaching: This will help in busting pangolin-smuggling syndicates that involve poachers and smugglers from different States.
• To develop an effective conservation plan.
• The team has successfully rehabilitated two Indian pangolins in the wild. This is the first-ever case of successful rehabilitation effort of the species where the released individuals are monitored in the wild using telemetry to ensure a better success rate.

 

 

Pangolin

• Pangolin is only scaly mammal on the planet.
• According to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), it is also the most illegally traded vertebrate within its class (Mammalia).
• Of the eight species of pangolin worldwide, two are found in India. They are Chinese pangolin (manis pentadactyla), mostly found in northeast India and Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata).
• Pangolins has large, overlapping scales on its body which act as armour.
• It can also curl itself into ball as self-defence against predators.
• The colour of its scales varies depending on colour of earth in its surroundings.
• Pangolins is an insectivore, feeding on ants and termites, digging them out of mounds and logs using its long claws.
• It is nocturnal and rests in deep burrows during the day.
• Pangolins is smuggled for its scales as it believed that they possess magic or charms and have medicinal properties.
• The scales serves as base component for indigenous (traditional) psychotropic substances.
• China is main illicit hub (market) for smuggled scales of Pangolins, where they have huge demand for medicinal and magical purposes.

 

Indian Pangolin

 

• Out of the eight species of pangolin, the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) and the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) are found in India.
• Indian Pangolin is a large anteater covered by 11-13 rows of scales on the back. A terminal scale is also present on the lower side of the tail of the Indian Pangolin, which is absent in the Chinese Pangolin.
• Habitat
   
  • Indian Pangolin is widely distributed in India, except the arid region, high Himalayas and the North-East. The species is also found in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
  • Chinese Pangolin is found in the Himalayan foothills in Eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Northern India, North-East Bangladesh and through Southern China.
• Threats to Pangolins in India: Hunting and poaching for local consumptive use (e.g. as a protein source and traditional medicine) and international trade for its meat and scales in East and South East Asian countries, particularly China and Vietnam.
• Protection Status
• IUCN Red List
• Indian Pangolin: Endangered

1. Chinese Pangolin: Critically Endangered

• Both these species are listed under Schedule I, Part I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Schedule I of WPA 1972 It covers endangered species. These species need rigorous protection and therefore, the stringent penalties for violation of the law are for species under this Schedule. Absolute protection: Species under this schedule are prohibited to be hunted throughout India, except under threat to human life. The trade of these animals is prohibited. Examples: tiger, blackbuck, Himalayan Brown Bear, Brow-Antlered Deer, etc.   Appendix I of CITES It lists species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants. Prohibition to international trade: They are threatened with extinction and CITES prohibits international trade in specimens of these species. Exception: When the purpose of the import is not commercial, for instance for scientific research. In these exceptional cases, trade may take place provided it is authorized by the granting of both an import permit and an export permit (or re-export certificate). Examples:  gorillas, sea turtles, most lady slipper orchids, and giant pandas.