UPSC Articles
Biodiversity hotspot in danger due to proposed railway line
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Environment and Conservation
In News:
- The proposed Hubballi-Ankola railway line cleared by Karnataka state government, might pose danger to the biodiversity of the region. (Western Ghats)
According to an expert committee,
- More than 2 lakh trees could be felled.
- Might affect Western Ghats forests (especially the Bedthi Conservation Reserve, closer to Dandeli Hornbill Conservation Reserve and located in the buffer region of Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve).
- The railway line could be a leading cause of wildlife mortality as it intersects with the elephant movement corridor.
Do you know?
- The railway line passes through different types of forests, including evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, and dry deciduous forests with a high canopy density.
- The forests along the proposed project zone are also rich in fauna. Majority of mammals belong to IUCN Red List and most of them are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 23rd March 2020
Image source: https://www.deccanherald.com/state/rly-minister-red-signals-710375.html
Important Value Additions
Bedthi Conservation Reserve
- It spans over 59.07 sq.km and is situated in Uttar Kannada and functions as Hornbill habitats.
- Medicinal plant species like Coscinium fenestratum is also found here.
Dandeli Hornbill Conservation Reserve
- Dandeli forests of Karnataka have received the status of Hornbill Conservation Reserve.
- In the wildlife conservation history, this is the first time of its kind to have a special conservation reserve declared to protect single and endangered bird species i.e., Hornbills.
- Dandeli forests are home to four types of hornbills i.e., Malabar Pied, Malabar Grey, Great Pied and Indian Grey.
Do you know?
- Difference between Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves?
