Relevance: GS III
News Excerpt:
In a recent survey, around 50 Odonata (the insect order comprising dragonflies) species were identified in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR).
About the Survey:
- Forest department field-level staff, members of the Society for Odonata and volunteers of ACT NGO participated in the survey.
- This survey reveals the population of dragonflies and damselflies, along with other Odonata species in the coming days.
- As per the experts, some Odonata species live only in polluted water and the identification of these species will give us a clear picture of the water quality in MTR.
- A team of five members, consisting of students from Ooty Arts and Science College and Mettupalayam Research Institute with an Odonata expert, are involved in the counting.
MUDUMALAI TIGER RESERVE
- It is located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu state.
- It is spread over 688.59 sq.km. at the tri-junction of three states, viz, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- It plays a unique role by forming part of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve.
- It has a common boundary with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) on the West, Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) on the North, and the Nilgiris division on the South and East and Gudalur Forest Division on the South West.
- FLORA- Bamboo of the giant variety, valuable timber species like Teak, Rosewood, etc.
- FAUNA- Tiger, Elephant, Indian Gaur, Panther, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Common Langur, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Wild Dog, Mangoose, Jungle Cat, Hyena, among others.
Prelims PYQ
Q. Which one of the following protected areas is well-known for the conservation of a sub-species of the Indian swamp deer (Barasingha) that thrives well on hard ground and is exclusively graminivorous? (UPSC 2020)
(a) Kanha National Park
(b) Manas National Park
(c) Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
(d) Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary
