49 mammal species under threat

49 mammal species under threat
New Delhi, PTI:

Over 49 mammal species in India including tigers, gibbons, deer and bats are facing grave levels of extinction threat, resulting from habitat destruction, pollution and poaching, the latest assessment by International Union of Conservation of Nature revealed.

According to the new data, over 124 Indian mammal species are facing different degrees of extinction of which 10 are critically endangered, 39 are endangered, 48 are vulnerable and 27 are showing sharp decline in population.
“This is the first exhaustive assessment of mammals which includes all the species found in the country.

Prominent mammals include several species of primates, especially the many langur species earlier thought to be one single species is now 7 species,” said Sanjay Molur, who contributed Indian data for the listing process.
Most of the threatened land mammals are concentrated in the eco-sensitive zones of Western ghats, North-eastern states and Andaman. About 17 of the total 49 species listed as critically endangered are from North-eastern India and 16 are found in Western Ghats.

“Western Ghats are facing extreme pressure of human activities hence increasing the threat on the species found here. After the killing of Veerappan, police became relaxed giving a free hand to poachers who are still active in the area,” said Tito Joseph, Program Manager Wild Life Protection Society of India.

The enlisted mammals range from flagship species like Tiger, Asian Elephant and Rhinos to lesser known ones like Dhole, mouse, hares and bats.

“Small mammals which do not get much attention in conservation efforts are an important part of the food chain and are necessary for maintaining ecological balance,” said Ramesh Pandey, Deputy Director, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.