Wildlife conservation and recovery action plan (Ecology, Environment and Climate Change)
Wildlife conservation and recovery action plan (Ecology, Environment and Climate Change)
Why In News:
National CAMPA Governing Body approved fresh wildlife conservation and recovery action plans for four species, the Gangetic river dolphin, the snow leopard, the Indian rhinoceros and the wild water buffalo, along with continued support for the Sangai, or Manipur brow-antlered deer.
Source: The Hindu, Page 6, 11 July 2026 - 'Conservation projects for river dolphins, 3 other species approved'; PIB Analysis, 10 July 2026
River Dolphins
The Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is India's National Aquatic Animal, declared in 2009.
It is a freshwater species that are found in the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus and their tributaries.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Project Dolphin was launched in 2020 under the Namami Gange Programme to protect river dolphins and their riverine habitat.
Snow Leopard
The snow leopard, declared the State Animal of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, is found across 12 countries in Central and South Asia, with India hosting about 500–700 individuals in the Himalayan and Trans-Himalayan regions.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Project Snow Leopard was originally launched in 2009; the SECURE Himalaya initiative supports community based conservation in snow leopard landscapes.
The new phase focuses on a second cycle of population estimation for the snow leopard.
Indian Rhinoceros
The Indian one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is concentrated in Assam's Kaziranga National Park, which holds the majority of the world's population.
It is found in semi-aquatic and often takes up residence in swamps, forests, riversides, and anywhere that is near nutritious mineral licks.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Indian Rhino Vision 2020, a collaborative programme, aimed to increase and disperse the rhino population across multiple protected areas in Assam to reduce risk from poaching and floods.
Wild Water Buffalo
The wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is found mainly in Assam, including Kaziranga and Manas National Parks, and is the state animal of Chhattisgarh.
It is critically endangered due to habitat loss and genetic dilution from interbreeding with domestic buffaloes.
Continued Support for the Sangai
The Sangai, or Manipur brow-antlered deer (Rucervus eldii eldii), is found only in Keibul Lamjao National Park, the world's only floating national park, located on Loktak Lake in Manipur.
It is the state animal of Manipur and is listed as endangered, with its habitat threatened by fluctuating water levels in Loktak Lake.
Key Facts for Prelims
All the species discussed here are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, providing them the highest degree of legal protection.
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, of 1972 provides a legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals and plants, management of their habitats, regulation, and control of trade in wild animals, plants, and products made from them
The act also lists schedules of plants and animals that are afforded varying degrees of protection and monitoring by the government.