Study revealed Northeast India has only one species of the hoolock gibbon
Genetic analysis proves there is only one species of the hoolock gibbon in India, as opposed to two species reported earlier. Known for their vigorous vocal displays, gibbons are unique small apes, with 20 species, all of them endemic to south and southeast Asia. Gibbons play an important role in seed dispersal, which contributes to maintaining the health of the forests
Earlier, northeastern India was said to be home to two species: eastern (Hoolock leuconedys) and western hoolock (Hoolock hoolock) gibbons. The analysis led by Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, could not find any genetic differences between the hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) and the gibbon population in the region between the Lohit and Dibang rivers in northeast India that was assumed to be the eastern hoolock gibbon population.
The findings will help establish the species identity of the gibbons and can be used to create an effective gibbon conservation breeding program, say the researchers. “These two populations are kept separately in the zoos and not allowed to breed, now they can be allowed to breed as they belong to single species. Further, a slight coat colour change in any species does not make a separate species. One has to examine genetic characteristics before describing a species,” G. Umapathy, Group Leader, Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES), CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology.
Delhi air in trouble again: Should farm fires be in focus
Delhi’s air quality deteriorated from ‘moderate’ to ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ on Thursday (April 29). It will be oscillating between ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ for the next three days, according to the SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research) system of the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi on Friday was 287, an improvement from Wednesday’s 312 and Thursday’s 296. An AQI of 0-50 is considered ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, and 401-500 ‘severe’. Above 500 is the ‘severe-plus’ or ‘emergency’ category.
Delhi’s air typically worsens in October-November and improves by March-April. Current weather conditions are not unfavourable, unlike in winter. Hence, apart from local emissions, the deterioration in air quality is being attributed to an increase in fire counts, mostly due to burning of wheat crop stubble in northern India.
On Friday, the estimated fire counts were 1,500, up from 200 a day ago. Satellite images released by the United States National Aeronautical and Space Administration revealed high fire counts on Friday in areas like
- Patiala
- Bhatinda
- Sangrur
- Jalandhar
- Faridkot
- Barnala
- Kurukshetra
- Kaithal
- Karnal
- Sonipat
- Panipat
- Rohtak
👉DTE
The invisible impact of mining on women
Mining impacts communities and the environment and also provides livelihood to many. But the negative impacts of mining on women remain invisible to most. Women are part of the labour force in the mining industry, largely as casual labourers. So, there’s no clear indication about their numbers.
Women working in India’s mining industry, living close to mining sites and belonging to families that depend on the industry for a living, are vulnerable to health issues and exploitation.
In Rajasthan’s Jodhpur region, women have lost husbands, brothers, and other family members to silicosis, a lung disease common in stone quarry miners. Compensation delays and lack of income options have forced these women to take up jobs in the same stone mines. And now, they are prone to silicosis.
In villages around phosphate mines close to Udaipur, many women have suffered miscarriages. The community firmly believes that pollution from mines is the cause.
Union forest ministry shuts all national parks, sanctuaries across India
With second Covid-19 wave gripping villages around national parks and sanctuaries, the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change (MOEFCC) has asked all tiger reserves, national parks, and sanctuaries to close down till further orders. It has also asked all state chief wildlife wardens to take preventive measures to stop transmission and spread of the virus from humans to animals.
Many cases are going unreported in villages around Tadoba as locals are not taking antigen or RT-PCR tests. There is also great reluctance to get vaccinated. The forest staff has also not been vaccinated fully. The crumbling health infrastructure has added fuel to fire.
Under the ‘Break the chain’ orders in Maharashtra, Pench and TATR have already issued orders to shut tourism till May 15. “We have advised tourists not to do advance bookings even after May 15. In case parks open for tourism, visitors can be allowed through spot bookings. However, further opening of parks will be as per NTCA orders,” said Pench CCF & field director Ravikiran Govekar.
👉TOI
20 Animals You Can Adopt and Protect Online
The wildlife we know and love is in decline around the world. According to the WWF Living Planet Report, the population sizes of mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles have seen an alarming average drop of 68 per cent since 1970.
In the last 50 years, human population growth, urbanisation, a huge increase in global trade and consumption have led to wildlife loss. The loss of natural habitats as a result of expanding cities, overfishing and climate change are key issues among many.
However, wildlife conservation charities are doing their best to curb wildlife loss and protect remaining species. By adopting an animal online, you can do your bit too.
- African elephant
- Snow leopard
- Orangutan
- Penguin
- Polar bear
- Giant panda
- Amur leopard
- Jaguar
- Tiger
- Sea turtle
- Gorilla
- African Lion
- Dolphin
- Orca
- Pangolin
- Cheetah
- Black
- Rhinoceroses
- Ethiopian Wolf
- Moon Bear
- Chimpanzee
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