Why is it in the news?
- South India’s first and the country’s largest safari has been officially launched at the Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru by the environment minister Eshwar Khandre.
| About Bannerghatta National Park:
· Location: Bannerghatta National Park, located near Bangalore, Karnataka, in the Anekal range hills, was declared a National Park in 1974. · In 2002, a section of the park was designated as the Bannerghatta Biological Park, India’s first biological park with a fenced forested elephant sanctuary. This park also houses India’s first butterfly enclosure, inaugurated in 2006. o In 2004, the Bannerghatta Biological Park was established as a separate entity under the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK), comprising the zoo, safari, butterfly park, and rescue center divisions. Notably, the park preserves wilderness in close proximity to a major city and encompasses the scenic Champakadhama hills valley. · Natural Features: o The Suvarnamukhi stream flows through the center of the park, providing crucial water sources for its diverse wildlife. o The park features three main types of vegetation: Dry Deciduous Scrub Forests, Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests, and Southern Tropical Moist Mixed Forests. · Floura and Fauna: The park is home to a rich variety of fauna, including the endangered Asian Elephant, Indian Gaur, Tiger, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Leopard, Wild Dog, Wild Pig, Sloth Bear, Common Mongoose, Pangolin, Slender Loris, and Black-naped Hare. Flora within the park includes species such as Narcissus latifolia, Schleichera oleosa, Sandalwood, Neem, Tamarind, Bamboo, and Eucalyptus. · Objectives: o Conservation of Biodiversity: Enhance national efforts in ex-situ biodiversity conservation. o Protection of Endangered Species: Support the conservation of endangered species through specialized facilities and care. o Research and Documentation: Facilitate scientific studies, research, and database creation related to conservation. o Public Awareness and Recreation: Raise public awareness about wildlife conservation while providing recreational opportunities for visitors. |
More about the news
- The safari covers an area of 20 hectares, following the Central Zoo Authority’s guidelines, and is currently home to eight leopards in an open forest setting.
- Bannerghatta is known for its thriving population of free-ranging leopards (Panthera pardus), making it essential to educate visitors on these important predators.
- The leopard safari, costing ₹4.5 crore, features undulating terrain with abundant natural rocky outcrops and semi-deciduous forests. The entire area is enclosed by a 4.5-meter-high vertical chain-link mesh and MS sheets placed at a 30° angle of 1.5 meters.
- Due to the rising human-animal conflicts in the region, the park often rescues leopard cubs from across the state. These cubs are nurtured and then relocated to the leopard safari area, allowing visitors to learn about these majestic cats and understand the reasons behind the increasing conflicts.
- Dedicating four acres within the safari for the acclimatization of the animals, a solar fence has been used to provide a safe environment for the leopards.
| About Indian Leopard:
· Scientific Name: Panthera pardus · Description: o The leopard, the smallest member of the Big Cat family (genus Panthera), is renowned for its adaptability across various habitats. o It primarily hunts nocturnally, preying on smaller herbivores like chital, hog deer, and wild boar within its range. o Melanism, a genetic trait resulting in a black coat with dark spots, is common among leopards. Melanistic leopards are often referred to as black panthers, a misconception of being a separate species. · Habitat: Leopards inhabit a wide range from sub-Saharan Africa to small parts of Western and Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast to East Asia. The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is particularly widespread across the Indian subcontinent. · Threats: Major threats include poaching for illegal trade in skins and body parts, habitat loss, fragmentation leading to reduced roaming areas, and conflicts with humans in shared habitats. · Conservation Status: o IUCN Red List: Vulnerable o CITES: Appendix-I o Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule-I |
| · Additional developments planned for the current financial year include naturalistic enclosures for emus and rheas costing ₹50 lakh, a hunting cheetah enclosure at ₹1.5 crore, hamadrya and olive baboon enclosures at ₹1.5 crore, and an Indian grey wolf enclosure at ₹1.5 crore.
· Furthermore, skywalks are in progress to establish connectivity between the zoo and the butterfly park. |
