Presentation on fauna of northeast india

class presentation

1. PRESENTATION ON “THE FAUNA OF NORTH EAST INDIA” Prepared by- LOLIT GOYARY(GAU-C-12/96) PANKAJ RABHA(GAU-C-12/95) MIRAJ UL ALOM(GAU-C-12/92)

2. CONTENTS: Introduction(North East India) What is Hotspot? Mammals and Carnivores Bats and Rodents Ungulates and other Mammals Birds and Lower Vertebrates Fish Fauna and Invertebrates Conclusion Reference

3. North East India: O ne of the richest in biological values, high in endemism and holds a large number of rare species that are now under serious threat . The region is made up of eight states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura and is endowed with a wide range of physiographic and eco-climatic conditions( Assam has extensive flood plains, while Khangchendzonga in Sikkim stands 8586 m tall, Mawsynram in the state of Meghalaya has the world’s highest average rainfall ). Northeast India forms one of the major species-rich tropical rain forests.

4. What is Hotspot? Hotspots are areas that are extremely rich in species, have high endemism and are under constant threat due to human pressure. To qualify as a hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria: it must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemic and it has to have lost at least 70% of its original habitat . These are particularly rich in floral wealth and endemism, not only in flowering plants but also reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and mammals. Northeast Indi a i s among the 34 Hot Spots of the world.

5. Mammals: Two species of primates namely Hoollock Gibbon and Golden Langur which could be considered common in Assam, they face an uncertain future in this region . Hoollock Gibbon The Hoolock Gibbon is the only ape in India. It is found in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur , Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram in Northeast India. The Golden Langur is one of the most localized species, between Manas and Sankosh Rivers in the Himalayan foothills along the Assam - Bhutan border areas. Golden Langur

6. Tripura has seven species of primates namely Phayeri’s Langur , Nepal Langur , Capped Langur , Stump-tailed Macaque, Northern Pigtailed Macaque, Slow Loris Including Golden Langur . Slow Loris Carnivores: Arunachal Pradesh prides itself for sustaining four large cats of Asia – the Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard and the Clouded Leopard . Assam provides the safest asylum for the Tiger. The more adaptable Leopard has managed to survive in greater numbers in the region.

7. Little is known about the status of Snow Leopard, which ekes out a living in the high altitudinal zones of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Manipur, apart from sustaining three large cats, harbours the Marbled Cat, Golden Cat, Leopard Cat, Fishing Cat and the Jungle Cat It also has 3 Mustelids and 7 Viverrids : Yellow-throated   Marten, Ferret Badger, Hog badger, Eurasian Otter; and among the Viverrids , Small Indian Civet, Large Indian Civet, Common Palm Civet, Himalayan Palm Civet, Binturong and Spotted Linshang . Binturong

8. The Red Panda is restricted to the higher altitudes. All the bear species that occur in India are recorded from the northeastern region. Wild Dog or Dhole , is yet another rarity in the wilderness of North- east India. Red Panda

9. Bats and Rodents: With about 65 species, bats dominate the mammalian fauna of Northeast India. The Wroughton’s Free-tailed Bat, believed to be a narrow endemic has now been reported from Siju Cave in South Garo Hills of Meghalaya in Northeast India. The Namdapha National Park holds a number of squirrels - The Namdapha Flying Squirrel, Hairy footed Flying Squirrel, Particoloured Flying Squirrel, Orange-bellied Himalayan Squirrel, Malayan Giant Squirrel, Hoary- bellied Squirrel and Himalayan Striped Squirrel could all be seen in this park.

10. Ungulates: Of the 25000 wild elephants in India, about 33% are found in Northeast India. In fact, Assam alone accounts for more elephants than Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia or any other country in Asia. Great Indian Rhinoceros is the largest of all the rhinos now inhabiting the world. In Northeast India this species is now restricted to Kaziranga , Pabitora , Orang and Manas in Assam. Swamp Deer, Serow , Goral and Red Goral are other species that are of great conservation significance in the region. The Brow-antlered Deer locally known as Sangai in Manipur is one of the rarest and the most localized subspecies of deer in the world.

11. Other Mammal: T he Yak, The Tibetan Wild Ass, Markhor , Ibex, Great Tibetan Sheep, Blue Sheep, Chinese Pangolin are some of the other mammals to name a few, found in the region. Sangai Ganges River Dolphin is yet another mammal of great conservation importance that can still be found in the Brahmaputra River in Northeast India.

12. Birds: Kaziranga National Park and the State of Arunachal Pradesh has recorded 400 and 665 species of birds respectively. Babblers and Laughing thrushes are important forest under storey passerines in the rainforests of the region. Species of Thrushes includes- Brown-capped Laughing Thrush, Elliot’s Laughing Thrush and Brown-cheeked Laughing Thrush. White-winged Wood Duck, Greater Adjutant, Spot-billed Pelican, Black necked Stork, Pale-capped Pigeon, Swamp Francolin, Bengal Florican , Hornbills, Burmese Hobby, Pied Falconet , Pink-headed Duck, Rufous -bellied Eagle are some of the bird species to name a few. Crested Serpent Eagle

13. Lower Vertebrates: According to existing records, there are 137 species of reptiles in Northeast India, but in reality there could be many more species that are yet to be identified. Northeast India has the highest diversity of turtles( Asian Roofed Turtle, Elongated Tortoise , Asian Brown Tortoise, Narrow headed Soft shell Turtle and Indian Flap shell Turtle are very rare among the recorded species). 20 lizard species from the State of Assam, and 18 species from the tiny state of Manipur . The Burmese Glass Snake is yet another interesting reptile of Northeast India. 58 species of snakes have been recorded in Assam and 34 from  Manipur ( Phytons , King Cobra are some of them) .

14. Fish Fauna: Northeast India is exceptionally rich in freshwater fishes , accounts for 236 species. From the State of Manipur alone, 167 species of freshwater fish, Loktak Lake in Manipur comprises 64 species. The Loktak Lake also serves as the breeding ground for several species of migratory fishes eg . Labeodero , L. bata and Cirrhinusreba . Sone Lake one of the biggest tectonic lakes in Assam sustains 75 species of fishes under 24 families and 49 genera and of which, 20 species are widely distributed while 8 species are native to Northeast India.

15. Invertebrates: 3,624 species of insects and 50 molluscs are recorded from the region . 689 species of butterflies were recorded from the State of Sikkim alone of which 350 species of butterflies are found in altitudes less than 900 m. One of the largest known tropical Atlas Moth Lepidoptera is the Atlas Moth, common in many parts of North east India . Erysmiapulchella and Nyctalemonpatroclus are very beautiful moths that occur in the region .

16. Conclusion: The activity of Man led to the irreversible transformation in the landscapes and resulted in colossal loss of biodiversity in the entire region. Human influences pushed many species to the brink of extinction and have caused havoc to natural fragile ecosystems . Dense forest cover being converted to open forest due to Jhum or shifting cultivation. Large number of bheels , ponds and marshlands in the lowlying and floodplain areas of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura represent the diversity in lentic ecosystems. However, deforestation and the resultant loss of soil, especially in the hill areas, are leading to increased siltation of rivers and streams.

17. Floods that have devastating effects are now common to Northeast India and protecting the forests is a difficult problem . Traditional practices of trapping, snaring etc of animals are carried out in very remote areas, in most parts of Northeast India shooting wild animals with guns is prevalent, giving very little chance for the denizens of the forests to recoup from such pressures. Northeastern India is often called India’s forgotten corner and it was perceived that the remoteness of the place has helped preserve its biodiversity. However, the penetration of roads into interior areas has already exposed the local populace to market economy, unscrupulous urban traders and middlemen in most parts of the region. A series of proposed dams projects pose a serious threat to the biodiversity of the region.

18. References: “Biodiversity of Northeast India - An Overview”  by V. Ramakantha , A. K. Gupta and Ajith Kumar An article by Mohan Pai ( Environmentalist).