Travel to the Exotic Fauna of the North East India
The
Northeast India represents the transitional zone in between the Indian,
Indo-Malayan and Indo-Chinese biogeography regions and is the geographical
'gateway' for much of India's plants and fauna. As a repercussion, the area is
one of the wealthiest in biological values, high in endemism and holds a big
number of unusual species that are now under major risk.
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Hotspots
are areas that are very rich in types, have high endemism and are under
continuous risk due to human pressure (having lost 70% of their original
environment). The Northeast is amongst the 34 Hot Spots of the world,
identified in India, the other being the Western Ghats.
Northeast India
Among
the richest biomes of the world, high in endemism and rare types which is now
under consistent risk.
The
Northeast India, (22-30 degree N and 89-97 degree E) spread over 2,62,379
sq.km., represents the transition zone between the Indian, Indo-Malayan and
Indo-Chinese biogeography areas and a meeting place of the Himalayan Mountains
and Peninsular India. It was the part of the northward moving 'Deccan
Peninsula' that first touched the Asian landmass after the separation of
Gondwanaland in the early Tertiary Period. Northeast India is therefore the
geographical 'entrance' for much of India's flora and animals. It is in this
lowland-highland shift zone that the highest variety of biomes or ecological
communities can be found, and species varieties within these neighborhoods are
also very high.
The
area is made up of 8 states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur,
Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura and is endowed with a large range of
physiographic and eco-climatic conditions. The State of Assam has extensive
flood plains, while Khangchendzonga in Sikkim stands 8586 m. tall. Cherrapunjee
in the State of Meghalaya holds the record for the greatest rains in a single
month (9,300 mm) in addition to the most in a year (26,461 mm) in India, while
the close-by Mawsynram has the world's greatest typical rainfall (11,873 mm).
The
forests in the area are exceptionally varied in structure and composition and
combine tropical and temperate forest types, alpine meadows and cold deserts.
There are regions, for instance, in the State of Sikkim, where the faunal
assemblages also change rapidly from tropical to subtropical, temperate, alpine
and finally to cold desert types.
Northeast
India forms among the major areas of tropical forests in India, particularly
the species-rich rain forest. The tropical semi-evergreen and wet deciduous
forests in the lowlands of this region extend south and west into the
subcontinent, and east into Southern China and Southeast Asia. The subtropical
forests of the area follow the foothills of the Himalaya to the west; likewise
extend into Southeast China in the east.
Himalayan
temperate and subalpine zone forests extend from northern Pakistan and
surrounding Afghanistan through Northeast India to Southwest China. This region
represents a fundamental part of the Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot, one of
the 34 global biodiversity hotspots recognized presently (2005).
Global Biodiversity Hotspots
Norman
Myers, a conservation biologist, in 1988 first recognized ten tropical forest
'hotspots' characterized by extraordinary levels of plant endemism and by
serious levels of habitat loss. In 1990, Myers included another 8 spots to his
list. Preservation International embraced Myer's hotspots as its institutional
blue print in 1989, and in1996.
To
certify as a hotspot, a region should satisfy two rigorous criteria: it needs
to consist of at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemic and it has
actually to have lost at least 70% of its original habitat. These are the
locations which are under continuous risk due to human pressure.
In
the 1999 analysis, in all 25 hotspots were identified. A 2nd major analysis was
undertaken and the number or international hotspots stood at 34 in 2005. In
general, the 34 hots pots when covered 15.7% of the Earth's land surface. In
all 86% of the hots pots' environment has currently been destroyed. The
undamaged remnants of the hotspots now cover just 2.3% of the Earth's land
surface area. Over 50% of the world's plant species and 42% of all terrestrial
vertebrate species are endemic to these 34 biodiversity hotspots.
Amongst
the 34 hotspots of the world, two have been recognized in India - The Eastern
Himalayas and the Western Ghats. These are especially abundant in floral wealth
and endemism, not only in flowering plants but likewise reptiles, amphibians,
butterflies and mammals.
The Fauna Mammals
There
seems a scarcity of expedition and research study concerning the animals of
Northeast India. The remoteness of the region, hard terrain along with the
serious searching pressures applied by the individuals around their immediate
surroundings in numerous parts of the region make it extremely tough to record
the fauna of the region. Primates India sustains eleven species of primates, if
we follow the current revisions in primate taxonomy.
It
is however unfortunate that except 3 types, which could be thought about common
in Assam, they deal with an uncertain future in this region.
The
Hoolock (Hoolock hoolock) is the only ape in India. The eastern limit for this
lower ape is Salween River in Myanmar and its variety extends to Southern
China. It happens in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura and
Mizoram in Northeast India, and its ongoing presence in the State of Nagaland
doubts. Regardless of the large location in which the animal happens, it has
become an uncommon animal, all over its variety. Monogamy, frugivory and
adaptation to brachiation make the types highly susceptible to habitat
fragmentation and deterioration.
The
majority of the tropical forests that harbour this species go through slash and
burn or shifting cultivation and for that reason; the ape's environment is
highly deteriorated and fragmented. It is hunted for the pot and the belief
that its flesh and blood have medicinal properties has actually made it an
extremely treasured product. It is likewise extremely treasured in the pet
trade.
The
Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei) is one of the most localized species, in
between Manas and Sankosh Rivers in the Himalayan foothills along the Assam -
Bhutan border areas. In Tripura, one can count seven types of primates. The
Phayeri's Langur (Trachypithecus phayeri) presumes high preservation
significance, as this type is limited in distribution to the State with
reported existence of a few soldiers in North Cachar Hills of Assam,
surrounding to the northern boundary of Tripura.
Yet
other types of specific interest are the newly designated primate species, Semnopethicus
schistaceus (Nepal Langur), which is endemic to the greater elevations in
Sikkim and Nepal. The Capped Langur (Trachypithecus pileatus) is likewise a
rare animal with minimal distribution in Northeast India. The Stump-tailed
Macaque (Macaca arctoides) and the Northern Pigtailed Macaque (M. leonina) have
sympatric distributions in Northeast India and both have actually ended up
being endangered. The Slow Loris (Nycticebus bengalensis) is a resident of
tropical forests south of the Brahmaputra River in Northeast India.
Predators
India
harbours six biggest felines of the world and the State of Arunachal Pradesh
prides itself for sustaining 4 large cats of Asia-- the Tiger (Panthera
tigris), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia) and the Clouded
Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa).
Of
these, the Indian population of the Clouded Leopard is restricted to the
Northeastern area. With a very long tail for balance and large paws for
climbing, the Clouded Leopard is well suited for life in the canopy. It
likewise has the longest upper canines proportional to its skull size of any
cat, reminiscent of the saber-toothed cat.
In
spite of the existence of this evasive animal in all the eight states of the
area, its environment is diminishing at an alarming rate. Vast systems of
forests, especially in the State of Arunachal Pradesh, where the animal rules
totally free, might stay safe for this spectacular animal, provided such
forests are avoided developmental activities, consisting of the construction of
roads.
Tiger
has actually become a very rare animal in the whole region and possibly Assam
supplies the best asylum for this big feline. The more adaptable Leopard has
handled to survive in higher numbers. Little is understood about the status of
Snow Leopard, which ekes out a living in the high altitudinal zones of
Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Northeast India sustains diverse assemblages of
small carnivores, and this area is maybe the wealthiest region for small
predators in the whole world.
The
tiny State of Manipur, with an area of 22327 sq.km., apart from sustaining
three large cats, harbours the Marbled Cat (Pardofelis marmorata), Golden Cat
(Catopuma temmincki), Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), Fishing Cat
(Prionailurus viverrinus) and the Jungle Cat (Felis chaus).
It
likewise has 3 Mustelids and 7 Viverrids: Yellow-throated Marten (Martes
flavigula), Ferret Badger (Melogale sp.), Hog badger (Arctonyx collaris),
Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra); and amongst the Viverrids, Small Indian Civet
(Viverricula indica), Large Indian Civet (Viverra zibetha), Common Palm Civet
(Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), Himalayan Palm Civet (Paguma larvata), Binturong
(Arctictis binturong) and Spotted Linshang (Prionodon pardicolor).
2
other species of Otter, particularly Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale
perspicillata) and Small-clawed Otter (Amblonyx cinereus), known from in other
places in India, might also occur in Manipur State, while Arunachal Pradesh and
Sikkim, may have even more types of little predators than Manipur
The
high biodiversity of little carnivores and other biota in the Northeastern
States might be credited to the vast arraying altitudinal variations that a
person encounters in the area as well as to the heavy rainfall and humidity
that sets off elegant plant growth specifically in the lower elevations. All
these uncommon animals occupy narrow bands of forests in the hills and valleys
of the area, and, living in little populations, they are extremely vulnerable
to habitat deterioration and hunting pressures.
Numerous
of the species in lowland forests are already on the edge of termination as
these forests were the very first to be inhabited, modified and broken down by
guy. Of the Mustelids, the Ferret Badger and the Hog Badger discovered in the
Northeastern India take the pride of place not only since of their rarity but
also due to the fact that of their originality. The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens)
is yet another flagship species of this area, restricted to the higher
elevations.
All
the bear types that occur in India are recorded from the northeastern area.
Besides, Northeast India forms the western end of the range for Malayan Sun
Bear (Helarctos malayanus). Bears of the lower elevations are under
particularly serious threats owing to environment deterioration as well as
persecution by guy, as the bile of the animal is considered highly medicinal.
Wild
Dog or Dhole, is yet another rarity in the wilderness of Northeast India. Wild
Dog found in Sikkim (and in Kumaon, Nepal and Bhutan) is thought about Cuon
alpinus primaevus. The Cuon alpinus adjustus discovered in eastern Arunachal
Pradesh is thought about to be the same subspecies discovered in northern
Myanmar.
Bats and rodents
Stocks,
especially for bats and rodents, are wanting from Northeast India. Though, with
about 65 types, bats control the mammalian fauna of Northeast India, dependable
details readily available on them is sparse. The Wroughton's Free-tailed Bat
(Otomops wroughtonii), tape-recorded from the Barapede cavern in North Kanara
district of Karnataka was believed to be a narrow endemic. However, now it has
actually now been reported from Siju Cave in South Garo Hills of Meghalaya in
Northeast India, and likewise from Cambodia.
The
Government of India has listed the Wroughton's Free-tailed Bat in Schedule I of
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Biswamayopterus
biswas) is an unfamiliar narrow endemic discovered in the State of Arunachal
Pradesh. The Namdapha National Park, one of the largest parks in the nation
Holds a number of other squirrels - Hairyfooted Flying Squirrel (Belomys
pearsoni) and Particoloured Flying Squirrel (Hylopetes Alboniger),
Orange-bellied Himalayan Squirrel (Dremomys lokriah), Malayan Giant Squirrel
(Ratufa bicolor), Hoary- bellied Squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus) and
Himalayan Striped Squirrel (Callosciurus macclellandi) might all be seen in
this park.
The
Hispid Hare (Caprolagus hispidus) is yet another environment Specialist that is
facing the risk of elimination from the region.
Ungulates
Of
the 25000 wild elephants in India, about 33% are found in Northeast India. In
reality, Assam alone represents more elephants than Myanmar, Thailand,
Indonesia or other country in Asia. Nevertheless, elephant population is
decreasing dramatically in Northeast India.
There
has been a really major decrease in the elephant population in main Assam
whereas those in the southern parts have virtually vanished. The population has
actually seriously declined in Tripura and there are just a couple of elephants
left in Manipur and Mizoram and most likely none in Nagaland. Heavy loss of
prime elephant environment is a concern of great concern as loss of elephant
habitats declares doom for smaller sized animals as well.Great Indian
Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is the biggest of all the rhinos now
inhabiting the world. In Northeast India this types is now limited to
Kaziranga, Pabitora and Orang in Assam.
The
population at Manas in Assam is thought to have actually been annihilated in
current years. Historic records suggest that both the One-horned Javan
Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) and the Two-horned Sumatran Rhinoceros
(Didermocerus sumatrensis) were when found in parts of Northeast India. Both
the species are now extinct from the region.
The
Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) discovered in Northeastern India is faced with
a genetic problem. A a great deal of domestic buffalo, the majority of them
genetically a 'mixed drink species' reproduced by male, are grazed in the
environments of the wild buffalo and the interbreeding revitalizes the domestic
strain but has the opposite result on the wild strains. The Banteng (Bos
javanicus) happened in the hills of Manipur as late as 1990s, but is now not
reported from the State.
The
Brow-antlered Deer (Cervus eldi eldi) is endemic to the State of Manipur.
Sangai, as the deer is in your area known, is one of the rarest and the most
localized subspecies of deer on the planet. Reported to be extinct in 1951,
this deer was subsequently discovered in a small pocket on the drifting mats of
plants, called 'phumdi' in the Loktak Lake. Though just fourteen heads were
counted in the very first aerial census in 1974, their number has actually
gradually increased ever since.
Loktak
Lake is now a RAMSAR website and there are now about 150 people in this
unquestionably the most vulnerable habitat of the region. The Swamp Deer
(Cervus duvauceli) found in Assam is yet another Cervid of great preservation
significance. The Serow (Capricornis sumatraensis), Goral (Naemorhedus goral)
and Red Goral (Naemorhedus baileyi) are 3 other species that are of great
conservation significance in the region.
The
Pygmy Hog (Sus salvanius) is the smallest and the rarest wild suid worldwide,
and just a couple of separated wild populations endure in Northeast India.
Other Mammals
In
the State of Sikkim, at the heights above 3600 m. where the tree line ends, the
alpine Scrub and grasslands support some of the most special animals of the
planet, the Yak (Bos grunniens), The Tibetan Wild Ass (Equus hemionus kiang),
Markhor (Capra falconeri), Ibex (Capra ibex), Great Tibetan Sheep (Ovis ammon
hodgsoni), Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur), are only to call a few.It is recorded
that the Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) ranges westwards through Assam
and the Eastern Himalaya to Nepal, Myanmar and South China. Nevertheless, the
Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is also reported from the Indo-Myanmar
border areas and this confirms that both species exist in Northeast India.
Ganges
River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is yet another mammal of fantastic
preservation significance that can still be found in the Brahmaputra River in
Northeast India.
Birds
Northeast
India supports some of the rarest, least recognized and most popular birds of
the Oriental Region. This area perhaps supports the greatest variety of bird
types in the Orient. More than 400 types of birds are tape-recorded from
Kaziranga National Park alone in Assam and although not completely explored,
the State of Arunachal Pradesh has a record of 665 types of birds.
Though
birds are among the most studied organisms, there is intense paucity of info
worrying the bird fauna of the region and at the very same time, brand-new
species are continually being contributed to the region's list. Poor dispersers
such as babblers and chuckling thrushes are essential forest understorey
passerines in the rain forests and they have actually diversified in your area
and contribute considerably to the diversity of the avifauna of Northeast India
(they constitute about 10% of the Eastern Himalayan avifauna). The Brown-capped
Laughing Thrush (Garrulax austeni) is only understood from the hills south of
the Brahmaputra in the North Cachar Hills (Assam), Nagaland, Manipur and
Mizoram.
The
bird's environment includes oak and rhododendron forest, secondary growth and
bamboo from 1200 m. to 2700 m.The Elliot's Laughing Thrush (Garrulax elliotii)
and Brown-cheeked Laughing Thrush (G. henrici) are two species that have been
recently contributed to the area's list, from Arunachal Pradesh. Both these
types had actually previously been taped just in China. The Assam Plains and
the Eastern Himalaya have been recognized as Endemic Bird Areas by Bird Life
International.
The
Assam Plains holds Blackbreasted Parrotbill (Paradoxornis flavirostris) and the
Marsh Babbler (Pellorneum palustre) and in this region one can always want to
rediscover the Manipur Bush Quail (Perdicula manipurensis).
The
Eastern Himalayan part of Northeast India supports 22 restricted-range bird
species (those that have a total world variety of less than 50,000 square
kilometres); of these 19 are endemics Perhaps, with the exception of Manipur
Bush Quail (Perdicula manipurensis), which is thought about to be extinct, one
could perhaps want to see all the other 21 bird species in Northeast India, which
holds one of the biggest concentrations of internationally threatened birds in
Asia. The fairly high species richness of birds at high altitude zones in the
area, compared with other taxa, is also significant.
White-winged
Wood Duck (Cairina scutulata) is perhaps the rarest duck on the planet today
and this bird inhabits the pride of place among the avifauna of the region.
Nevertheless, substantial damage of its natural environment varying from Assam
and Arunachal Pradesh to Java has actually pushed this types into isolated
groups of small populations.
Greater
Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) is a worldwide threatened bird with the bulk of
the world's population now found in Assam. Spot-billed Pelican (Pelicanus
philippensis), Blacknecked Stork (Ephippiorhyncus asiaticus), Lesser Adjutant
(Leptotilos javanicus), and Pale-capped Pigeon (Columba punicea), are only to
call a few of the worldwide threatened birds found in the region. Swamp
Francolin (Francolinus gularis), found in Northeast India, is endemic to the
Indian subcontinent. The Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) is one of
the rarest bustards worldwide. Manas National Park has the biggest population
of this bird on the planet.
Hornbills, too, exhibit high species
richness in northeast India, found in few places in other places in the
world.Lesser Fish Eagle (Icthyophaga humilis) is the rarest of the fish and sea
eagles, and there are reports of its sightings in Namdapha in Arunachal
Pradesh. Jerdon's (Blyth's) Baza (Aviceda jerdoni) is a really rare resident
bird of India, and the chances of sighting this worldwide endangered bird are
brilliant in evergreen forests of Northeast India. Burmese Hobby (Falco severus
severus) is an uncommon breeding local of Northeast India, south of Brahmaputra
River. Pied Falconet (Microhierax melanoleucos) is likewise among the rarest
Indian raptors found in Northeast India. The Sclater's Monal (Lophophorus
sclateri) and Blyth's Tragopan (Tragopan blythii) are amongst the rare and
gorgeous pheasants that live in a restricted range of the eastern Himalaya.
With the exception of a status study
carried out on the Blyth's Tragopan in Blue Mountain National Park in Mizoram,
which is recorded to harbour 38 birds, no comprehensive study has actually been
performed to this day on these two types in any part of their variety. It is
even now a custom-made in particular hill locations of the region to present a
Tragopan or Mrs. Hume's Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae) to a visiting dignitary
(to be butchered and consumed). All the pheasant species that happen in this
area are to be thought about endangered. Ward's Trogon (Harpactes wardi) is yet
another stunning resident bird reported from Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
The bird is spotted in the State of
Manipur also.Buff-throated Partridge (Tetraophasis szechenyii) is an unusual
resident of rocky ravines and Rhododendron thickets in the subalpine zone of
main Arunachal Pradesh. At greater elevations in Sikkim, birds consist of Snow
Partridge (Lerwa lerwa), Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus), Himalayan Monal
(Lophophorus impejanus) and Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii). The highly
endangered Rufous-vented Prinia of the eastern population, considered a
different species 'Swamp Prinia' (Prinia cinerascens), is reported from the
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam. Gorgeous Nuthatch (Sitta formosa) is a
homeowner of primary forests of Northeast India.
The Khasi Hills Swift (Apus
acuticauda) is one of the world's rarest and least recognized Apus species, and
is known just at its breeding cliff near Cherrapunjee in Meghalaya from late
February to the end of April. The movements of this endemic bird outside the
breeding duration are mainly undocumented. Pink-headed Duck (Rhodonessa
caryophyllacea), as its regional name 'nganu koknganbi' suggests that it was
when a typical bird in Manipur and in other places in Northeast India. It is
now extinct. India's only Buff-throated Warbler was collected from Meghalaya in
1953, and no additional records exist in India.
Rufous-bellied Eagle (Hieraetus kienerii)
found in this area is also most likely extinct. Burmese Peafowl (Pavo muticus),
discovered in the Indo-Myanmar border locations, is also hardly ever sighted in
the region.Though there is less info about the migration paths of birds in
Northeast India, the Brahmaputra River and her tributaries are believed to form
a flyway for birds from Northeast Asia.
Lower Vertebrates
The reptilian animals of northeast
India have the biggest affinity to the Oriental, Indo- Malayan and
Indo-Chinese regions. According to existing records, there are 137 types of
reptiles in Northeast India, however in reality there might be numerous more
types that are yet to be recognized.
With much better tasting and research
studies on the herpeto-fauna, the variety of types is anticipated to alter
substantially for each of the states and for the area as a whole. Among the
element of reptilian animals, the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) discovered in
Brahmaputra River is of fantastic conservation significance. Northeast India
has the highest diversity of turtles. Of the 26 species of non-marine
chelonians reported from India, 19 are found in this area.
However, the details on this group of
reptiles is likewise quite inadequate as many of the offered records concerning
the recognized types available are from the Brahmaputra Plain and adjoining
locations in lower Eastern Himalaya. The hill states, specifically south of
Brahmaputra basin, viz., Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram,
remain badly studied.
As recently as 2000, a chelonian types
-Amyda cartilaginaea, was reported from Mizoram as a first record for India.
Asian Roofed Turtle (Kachuga sylhetensis) is endemic to the area. The Elongated
Tortoise (Indotestudo elongata), Asian Brown Tortoise (Manouria emys),
Narrowheaded Softshell Turtle (Chitra indica) and Indian Flapshell Turtle
(Lissemys punctata) are very unusual amongst the tape-recorded types.
The lizard fauna of Northeast India is
exceptionally affected by the Indo-Chinese connection. Released records
indicate 20 lizard types from the State of Assam, and 18 species from the tiny
state of Manipur.
Of the three types of Monitor Lizards
discovered in the region, Varanus flavescens is listed in Schedule I under
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Tokay Gecko (Gekko gekko) is the biggest
gecko alive today and is found in northeast India.
The Burmese Glass Snake (Ophisaurus
gracilis) is yet another interesting reptile of Northeast India.Fifty 8 species
of snakes have actually been tape-recorded in Assam and 34 from Manipur. Python
reticulatus, the largest snake in India, is found in northeast India and Python
molurus bivittatus is understood from a single specimen from the Arunachal
Pradesh, which was a first record for India.
One can anticipate to sight both the
snakes in 'Mouling National Park' in the Upper Siang District of Arunachal
Pradesh. King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the most breathtaking reptile of
the region. Typhlops jerdoni, T. tenuicollis, Stoliczkaia khasiensis, Elaphe
mandarina, Oligodon melazonotus, Xenochrophis punctulatus, Bungarus
bungaroides, Trimeresurus jerdoni are just a couple of examples of very evasive
and rare snakes of Northeast India.
Amphibians
Existing records suggest the existence
of 64 types of amphibians in the Northeast India however this figure once again
could be a gross underestimate as they are an inadequately studied group in
Northeast India.
A study of amphibians conducted in the
State of Nagaland from 1998 to 2002 has actually resulted in 19 species as
brand-new records for the State and 5 species (Megophrys wuliangshanensis, M.
glandulosa, Amolops viridimaculatus, Rana humeralis and Rhacophorus
gongshanensis) as brand-new records for India. Only 4 types of caecilians,
Ichthyophis garoensis, Ichthyophis hussaini, Ichthyophis sikkimensis and
Gegeneophis fulleri are known from Northeast India. The Himalayan Newt
(Tylototriton verrucosus) should have an unique reference, as it is the only
species of Salamander known from India, taking place in Manipur, Khasi Hills
and Sikkim. Hitherto, they were little affected by guy, however usage of the
pesticides in paddy cultivation is presenting a threat to the species.
Fish Fauna
Fishes are the most ancient and
various of vertebrates. Over 24,000 species of fishes are understood worldwide,
and-- a majority of these are from warm tropical waters. Northeast India is
remarkably rich in freshwater fishes, and it is heartening to keep in mind that
the area has been extensively surveyed, and accounts for 236 species. From the
State of Manipur alone, 167 types of freshwater types coming from 11 orders, 31
households and 84 genera are tape-recorded. The fish fauna of Loktak Lake in
Manipur makes up 64 types. 2 of these types, Monopterus albus and Osteobrama
belangeri are restricted in their distribution to the Yunan State of China,
Myanmar, and in India only to the State of Manipur. The Loktak Lake likewise
works as the breeding place for numerous types of migratory fishes eg. Labeo
dero, L. bata and Cirrhinus reba.
Sone Lake (12.5 km long and 3.0 km.
broad), is among the greatest tectonic lakes in Assam. It sustains 75 species
of fishes under 24 families and 49 genera and of which, 20 species are
extensively distributed while 8 types are belonging to Northeast India. In
spite of a really high variety of fresh-water fishes, Northeast India does not
have numerous endemic types (the fish fauna of India consists of 2 endemic
families, both which are missing from the area).
Invertebrates
The Biodiversity Strategy and Action
Plan for Northeast Ecoregion specifies that 3,624 types of bugs and 50 molluscs
are tape-recorded from the region. Butterflies and moths are by far the
best-studied invertebrate organisms in Northeast India, and the region
contributes the maximum variety of types for the group in the country. A years
earlier, 689 species of butterflies were taped from the State of Sikkim. An
ecological study on Mammals, Birds, Herpeto-fauna and Butterflies performed in
Teesta Basin, Sikkim, revealed almost 350 types of butterflies in elevations
less than 900 m. (In the study area the household Nymphalidae is recorded to be
the most species abundant forming 50% of the observed types, followed by
Lycaenidae and Pieridae (17.2% each). Papilionidae and Hesperiidae have
relatively low species richness, forming just 8.6% and 7.0% of the types,
respectively).
As types richness in the study
location was found to be far greater than that reported earlier, specifically
at greater altitudes, this specific research study highlights the value of
altitudinal gradients in the circulation of butterflies, and in their
preservation. One of the biggest recognized tropical Lepidoptera is the Atlas
Moth (Attacus atlas), is not unusual in many parts of Northeast India Princeps
polyctor ganesa, which happens in Northeast India, is one of the most gorgeous
butterflies in the country, while, -Erysmia pulchella and Nyctalemon patroclus
are very stunning moths that occur in the region. It is significant to include
that sericulture is an olden profession for some individuals in states like Assam
and Manipur, especially in the 'Loi' neighborhood in Manipur who have rendered
the ability of silkworm rearing and silk weaving to art type.
Honey bees, render really important
ecological services like pollinating wild and cultivated plant types apart from
producing honey, and their sophisticated eusocial behaviour has constantly
provided fascination for guy. Four native types of honey bees are recognized
from India: Apis cerana, A. dorsata, A. plants and A. andreniformes. Of these,
Apis andreniformis is only known from a few specimens gathered from Northeast
India where the types is exceedingly unusual. It is a regrettable practice that
people in certain parts of Northeast India not only take in the honey and
larvae of this bug, but likewise fry and eat the honey bees themselves.
Quick vanishing forests and types of the Northeast India
The main vegetation in extensive
locations of the Northeast India has actually been interrupted and modified and
in some places ruined by seismic activities, frequent landslides and resultant
soil erosion. While these natural causes have contributed only partially to the
modification in vegetation type, it is the activity of Man that has caused the
irreparable improvement in the landscapes and has actually resulted in colossal
loss of biodiversity in the whole area. Human influences have pressed lots of species
to the brink of termination and have triggered havoc to natural delicate
environments. Such devastations to natural environments are experienced almost
everywhere in the region and is a cause of terrific issue.
Northeast India has 64% of the overall
geographical location under forest cover and it is typically priced estimate
that it continues to be a forest surplus area. Nevertheless, the forest cover
is quickly vanishing from the whole region. There has been a decrease of about
1800 sq.km. in the forest cover in between 1991 and 1999 (F.S.I., 2000). More
uneasy still is that the quality of the forest is also degrading, with the
thick forests (canopy closure of 40% or more) ending up being degraded into
open forest or scrub.
Though there is a succession of a
number of edaphic formations, a vast location of land has already been changed
into barren and ineffective wastelands. This holding true, the stats of 'more
than 64 % of the overall geographical location in this region under forest
cover' could be misleading. For example, though the forest cover in Manipur
extends to 78% of the total geographic area, only 22% of forest location is
under dense forest cover and the rest has been converted to open forests.
Except in the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys of Assam where substantial areas
are under farming, little of the land is offered for settled growing. For this
reason, moving agriculture or slash-and-burn agriculture is the significant
land use in Northeast India and crosses 1.73 million ha (F S I, 1999).
Various companies have actually
created different figures worrying the total area under shifting cultivation
(jhum) in the area. What is not disputable is that with an ever shortening jhum
cycle, the other human influences have actually triggered ecological
deterioration with dreadful consequences. Though Northeast India is mainly
mountainous, the area is really rich in aquatic environment variety. A a great
deal of bheels, ponds and marshlands in the low-lying and floodplain locations
of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura represent the variety in lentic
environments. Nevertheless, deforestation and the resultant loss of soil,
especially in the hill areas, are leading to increased siltation of rivers and
streams. The deep pools that are the favored habitats of lots of species are
rapidly becoming shallow and choked with silt, resulting in a decrease in
environment. At the exact same time, swamps, marshes, and other wetlands are
progressively being reclaimed for city and agricultural growth.
The forests of Assam once functioned
as a sponge, absorbing the incredible effect of the monsoons. The natural drain
of the vast northeastern Himalaya is carried through Assam and with the loss of
thick forest cover, Brahmaputra, one of the biggest and fastest flowing rivers
of the subcontinent is developing havoc in the State. Floods that have
disastrous impacts are now common to Northeast India and protecting the forests
is a tough problem.
A huge bulk of the native inhabitants
of this region is meat-eating in their food practices and nearly all
neighborhoods have expert hunters, trappers and fishermen. One can discover
bones, skulls and hides of large and small mammals in tribal huts. It needs to
be noted that though the traditional practices of trapping, snaring etc of
animals are performed in really remote locations, in many parts of Northeast
India shooting wild animals with guns is prevalent, giving really little
opportunity for the denizens of the forests to recoup from such pressures.
Besides, specific meat is valued as
medical and such animals are maltreated as great efforts are made by a couple
of individuals to look for such animals and restore home their body parts. In
the past, the hunting/trapping was done with significant prudence with lots of
taboos and constraints.
For instance, the Anaal Naga in
Manipur did not take in turtle or tortoise meat. The Maram Naga did not consume
pork and the Thangkhul Naga did not consume any member of the cat household.
Regrettably, such taboos no more hold any sway amongst the people now. It is an
excellent disaster that in many parts of Northeast India some individuals
poison the rivers, streams and other water bodies to obtain excellent catches
of fish.
Apart from utilizing plant poisons,
lime, DDT, copper sulphate (Cu SO4) and, other artificial chemicals are being
utilized for fishing. Some are even using dynamite and gelatine sticks for the
very same purpose. This has major ill effects on the whole marine communities.
Fish stocks are being completely cleaned out; several species of amphibians,
birds and other fish predators are likewise being affected at the same time;
and absolutely nothing is referred to as to exactly what takes place to people
on consuming such poisoned fishes. Northeastern India is typically called India's
forgotten corner and it was perceived that the remoteness of the place has
actually assisted maintain its biodiversity.
However, the penetration of roadways
into interior locations has actually already exposed the regional population to
market economy, unscrupulous metropolitan traders and intermediaries in a lot
of parts of the region. A series of proposed dams in the Northeastern region
may lead to submergence of large tracts of rain forests. Comprehensive
ecological impact evaluations, which are obligatory as per the law of the land,
reveal the possible risk that these jobs present to the biodiversity of the
region.
The impregnability of specific forests
in Northeast India is a source of just some protection, as this aspect itself
offers some hope for the survival of many species.
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