Q. Consider the following: - Blacknecked crane
- Cheetah
- Flying squirrel
- Snow leopard
Which of the above are naturally found in India? (UPSC Prelims 2012)
Answer:
1, 3 and 4 only
Notes: The correct answer is
[B] 1, 3 and 4 only.To determine which species are
naturally found (indigenous) in India, we must distinguish between native inhabitants, migratory visitors, and species that have become extinct in the wild within the country.Analysis of the Species:
- Black-necked Crane (1 is Correct): These birds are native to the high-altitude wetlands of the Tibetan Plateau. In India, they are found naturally in the Ladakh region, where they breed, and they occasionally winter in parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Flying Squirrel (3 is Correct): India is home to several species of flying squirrels, such as the Indian Giant Flying Squirrel and the Namdapha Flying Squirrel. they are naturally found in the deciduous and evergreen forests of the Western Ghats, Northeast India, and the Himalayas.
- Snow Leopard (4 is Correct): This "Ghost of the Mountains" is native to the high-altitude Himalayan range. In India, its natural habitat spans Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
Why the Cheetah is Incorrect:- Cheetah (2): The Asiatic Cheetah was once native to India, but it was declared officially extinct in the country in 1952 due to overhunting and habitat loss.
- Current Status: While Cheetahs are currently present in India (Kuno National Park), they were reintroduced from Namibia and South Africa starting in 2022. Therefore, they are no longer considered "naturally found" in the sense of a continuous, indigenous population.
Summary of Natural Habitats in India| Animal | Natural Habitat in India | Status |
| Black-necked Crane | High-altitude wetlands (Ladakh) | Native / Vulnerable |
| Flying Squirrel | Western Ghats & Northeast Forests | Native |
| Snow Leopard | Upper Himalayas | Native / Vulnerable |
| Cheetah | None (Extinct since 1952) | Reintroduced (2022) |