The Gujarat government has announced the creation of a Caracal (Henotaro) Breeding and Conservation Center in the Chadva Rakhal region of Kutch. This initiative, with a budget of ₹10 crore, is aimed at protecting and breeding the rare and critically endangered Caracal species found in Gujarat’s Kutch district.
Announcement and Significance
The announcement was made by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel during Wildlife Week celebrations at the Shyamji Krishna Varma Memorial in Mandvi, Kutch. The establishment of the breeding center is a crucial step in the preservation of Caracals, which are critically endangered in India.
Status of Caracals
- The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Caracal as a species of ‘least concern’ due to its larger populations in Africa.
- However, the Caracal’s population in India is significantly lower, with only 19 reported sightings in Gujarat’s Kutch district, as per a study on the historical and current extent of their occurrence.
- In India, the Caracal faces severe habitat loss and is listed as critically endangered under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife Act.
Characteristics of Caracals
Caracals are nocturnal animals known for:
- Agility and hunting skills
- Characteristic ear tufts
- They inhabit dry, arid regions and moist woodlands, usually living in small herds. Their elusive nature makes them hard to spot in the wild, contributing to their endangered status.
Chadva Rakhal Region and Wildlife
The Chadva Rakhal area, chosen for the breeding center, is rich in wildlife, including:
- Leopards, crocodiles, Indian gazelle, desert foxes, jackals
- 28 species of mammals
- 28 species of reptiles
- 242 species of birds
- 243 species of plants
The land for the conservation center was transferred to the state government by the former royal family of Kutch, and it now belongs to the Forest Department, supporting the state’s wildlife conservation efforts.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the main objective of the Caracal Breeding and Conservation Center in Kutch?
- a) To promote tourism in the region
- b) To breed and conserve the critically endangered Caracal species
- c) To establish a new wildlife park for exotic animals
- d) To enhance the forest cover in Gujarat
Answer: b) To breed and conserve the critically endangered Caracal species
- Which Indian state has announced the establishment of the Caracal Breeding Center?
- a) Maharashtra
- b) Rajasthan
- c) Gujarat
- d) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: c) Gujarat
- Where is the Caracal Breeding and Conservation Center located?
- a) Rann of Kutch
- b) Gir Forest
- c) Chadva Rakhal region of Kutch
- d) Sundarbans
Answer: c) Chadva Rakhal region of Kutch
- Under which schedule of the Indian Wildlife Act are Caracals listed as critically endangered?
- a) Schedule I
- b) Schedule II
- c) Schedule III
- d) Schedule IV
Answer: a) Schedule I
- Which organization lists the Caracal as a species of ‘least concern’ globally?
- a) World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
- b) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- c) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- d) Zoological Society of India (ZSI)
Answer: b) International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
- Which area was transferred by the former royal family of Kutch for conservation efforts?
- a) 2,000 hectares
- b) 3,500 hectares
- c) 4,900 hectares
- d) 5,200 hectares
Answer: c) 4,900 hectares