Free Courses Sale ends Soon, Get It Now


BURACHAPORI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

17th May, 2023

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context: Assam Chief Minister shared photographs of the successful eviction drive at Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary

Location

  • It is a protected area located in the state of Assam in India.
  • This wildlife sanctuary covers 44.06 km2, on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River in Sonitpur district.

Background

  • The area was declared a Reserved forest in 1974, it became a sanctuary in 1995.

Ecosystem

  • It forms an integral part of the Laokhowa-Burachapori eco-system and is a notified buffer of the Kaziranga Tiger reserve.

Biodiversity

  • It is considered to be an ideal habitat for the Bengal florican.
  • It is a paradise for many migratory birds. Reptiles and fish are also found here.
  • Mammals: Indian rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, wild buffalo, hog deer, wild pigs and occasionally a herd of el: ephants.
  • Birds: Bengal florican, black-necked stork, mallard, openbill stork, teal, whistling duck and many others

About the Bengal florican

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

  • Scientific Name: Houbaropsis bengalensis

Location

  • Also called the Bengal bustard, is a bustard species native to the Indian subcontinent, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
  • The Bengal florican has two disjunct populations.
  • One occurs from Uttar Pradesh through the Terai of Nepal to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in India, and historically to Bangladesh.
  • The other occurs in Cambodia and perhaps adjacent southern Vietnam.
  • Migrations are not long-distance, however, and probably are restricted to a few dozen kilometers.
  • Bengal floricans live in open tall grassland habitats with scattered bushes.

Description

  • The male Bengal florican has a black plumage from the head and neck to underparts.
  • Immature Bengal floricans look like a female.
  • The female is larger than the male.

Social Behaviour

  • They are normally silent but, when disturbed, utter a metallic chik-chik-chik call.
  • Displaying males croak and produce a deep humming sound.

Conservation status

  • It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List because fewer than 1,000 individuals were estimated to be alive as of 2017.
  • It is the only member of the genus Houbaropsis.
  • Restricted to tiny fragments of grassland scattered across South and Southeast Asia, the Bengal florican is the world's rarest bustard.
  • It is known to have become increasingly threatened by land conversion for intensive agriculture, particularly for dry season rice production.
  • Poaching continues to be a problem in Southeast Asia.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q) Which of the following statements with reference to Bengal Florican is/are incorrect?

1. The Bengal florican is the world's rarest bustard.

2. It is native to the Indian subcontinent, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

a. 1 only

b. 2 only

c. Both 1 and 2

d. Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: d

https://theprint.in/india/assam-cm-sarma-shares-pics-after-successful-eviction-drive-at-burachapori-wildlife-sanctuary/1573825/