Syllabus Section: Environment and Ecology (GS Paper II)

Importance: UPSC Prelims

Why in News?

WII-Dehradun Scientists is going to begin India’s first Fishing Cat collaring project in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh.

About:

• This is the country’s first Fishing Cat collaring project.
• In Asia, a similar project was done earlier in Bangladesh.
• The total project cost is ₹75 lakh. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had permitted the capturing and collaring of the Fishing Cat.
• The three-year project begins to study the species behaviour and threats.
• The project begins with the activity of estimate (census) of the Fishing Cat in the sanctuary before selecting the Fishing Cats for the collaring”. The census was conducted in 2018 and 115 Fishing Cats were recorded.

Fishing Cats

• The fishing cat is a feline with a powerful build and stocky legs.
• It is an adept swimmer and enters water frequently to prey on fish as its name suggests.
• It is known to even dive to catch fish.
• It is nocturnal and apart from fish also preys on frogs, crustaceans, snakes, birds, and scavenges on carcasses of larger animals.
• It is capable of breeding all year round but in India its peak breeding season is known to be between March and May.
• Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• CITES: Appendix II
• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

 

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Threats

• Destruction of wetlands, which is its preferred habitat.
• The depletion of its main prey-fish due to unsustainable fishing practices.
• It is also occasionally poached for its skin.