Pygmy Hogs | UPSC | Why In The News ?
The world’s rarest and smallest wild pigs were released in the Manas National Park of western Assam under the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP).
About Pygmy Hogs
- The pygmy hog (Porcula salvania) is a native to alluvial grasslands in the foothills of the Himalayas at elevations of up to 300 m (980 ft).
- Today, the only known population lives in Assam, India and possibly southern Bhutan.
- As the population is estimated at less than 250 mature individuals.
- Â It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
- It is designated as a Schedule I species in India under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and offences against them invite heavy penalties.
- It thrives in wet grassland.
- It is also an indicator species.
- Â Its presence reflects the health of its primary habitat, the tall, wet grasslands of the region.
Protection Status:
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About Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP)
The PHCP is a collaboration among,Â
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust of UK
- Assam Forest Department
- Wild Pig Specialist Group of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Implemented By :Â
- It is currently being implemented by NGOs – Aaranyak and EcoSystems India.
Initiated By :Â
- Conservation of pygmy hog was initiated by noted naturalist Gerald Durrell and his trust in 1971.
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Source : The Hindu, Indian ExpressÂ
