Task Force for Wildlife

Question: Which of the following countries planned a joint task force to protect wildlife?
(1) India
(2) Myanmar
(3) Bhutan
(4) Nepal
Correct match is

(a) 1, 2 and 4
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) All of the above
Answer: (c)
Related facts:

  • India, Nepal and Bhutan joined hands to have a joint task force for the protection of wildlife. This will allow free movement of wildlife across the political boundaries of nations and will also help to curb the smuggling across the Kanchenjunga Landscape, a region spread across the boundary region of Nepal, Bhutan and India.
  • These developments are outcomes of visit by forest officials and representatives of non-government organisation of the three countries. In the later held meeting concerning same issue at Siliguri in north Bengal, Indian side was led by Ravinkanta Sinha, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, West Bengal whereas Nepal was represented by G.P. Bhattarai, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal. The Bhutanese delegation was led by Tashi Tobgyel, Department of Forest and Park Services, Bhutan.
  • The landscape selected is stretched along the southern side of Mt. Kanchenjunga covering an area of 25,080 sq km.
  • The landscape is divided between the three nations having its area in eastern Nepal around 21%, in Sikkim and West Bengal of India around 56% and western and south western part of Bhutan around 23%.
  • A regional knowledge development and learning centre named International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) published a report citing severe loss of flora and fauna in this region. A total of 1,118 sq km of tree cover and riverine grassland was lost in the landscape between 2000 and 2010 in which 74% and 26% area was converted into rangeland and agricultural land.
  • Kanchenjunga is home for 169 species of mammals and 713 species of birds other than 7 million people. The report also mentions death of average 3 elephants per year (144 in total) between 1958 and 2013.

Links:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-nepal-bhutan-plan-joint-task-force-to-protect-wildlife/article25753701.ece
https://nenow.in/neighbour/india-nepal-and-bhutan-govts-consider-joint-task-force-to-check-wildlife-smuggling.html