Himalayan serow

About Himalayan serow:

• It resembles a cross between a goat, a donkey, a cow, and a pig.
• Types
  • There are several species of serows, and all of them are found in Asia.
  • The Himalayan serow, or Capricornis sumatraensis thar, is restricted to the Himalayan region. Taxonomically, it is a subspecies of the mainland serow (Capricornis sumatraensis).
• Diet: These are herbivore species.
• Distribution: These are typically found at altitudes between 2,000 metres and 4,000 metres (6,500 to 13,000 feet). They are known to be found in eastern, central, and western Himalayas, but not in the Trans Himalayan region.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

Key facts about Nameri Tiger Reserve

• It is situated in the northern part of the Sonitpur district of Assam, along the foothills of Arunachal Pradesh.
• The Nameri National Park constitutes the core of NTR, which is bound by rivers, viz. Jia-Bhoreli in the west and Bor-Dikorai in the east.
• The Pakke Tiger Reserve of Arunachal Pradesh is in the North and the habitat is contiguous.
• Flora: It is made up of tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests with cane brakes and narrow strips of open grassland along rivers.
• Fauna:
  • The habitat is biologically rich and is famous for the white winged wood duck,
  • Even Leopard cat, common otter, Black giant squirrel, Indian mongoose, Large clawed shrew, Indian flying fox, slow loris, Assameese macaque, Rhesus macaque are also found here.

Q1: What is Project Tiger?

Project Tiger is a tiger conservation programme (a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the MoEF&CC) launched in 1973 by the Government of India and administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Source: Himalayan serow spotted in Nameri