First population estimation exercise of the Indian gaur carried out

First population estimation exercise of the Indian gaur carried out

Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-III – Environment; Biodiversity

In News:

• The first population estimation exercise of the Indian gaur, carried out in the Nilgiris Forest Division over the last few years, has revealed that more than an estimated 2,000 Indian gaurs inhabit the entire division.

Important value additions 

Indian Gaur

• Its Scientific name is Bos Gaurus.
• It is one of the largest existing bovines. 
• It is also one of the largest species among the wild cattle. 
• Gaurs are found on the forested hills and grassy areas of South to South-east Asia.
• They are found in India, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal.
• The Western Ghats in southern India constitute one of the most extensive extant strongholds of gaur, in particular in the Wayanad – Nagarhole – Mudumalai – Bandipur complex.
• It is also the State Animal of Goa and Bihar.
• Status:
  • It is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List.
  • It is included in the Schedule I of the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
  • It is listed in CITES Appendix I.