Hidden Himalayas: Asia’s Wonderland

Hidden Himalayas : Asia’s Wonderland Report 2015

Question: Name the country in which WWF had recently launched a report named “Hidden Himalayas”?

(a)Bangladesh

(b)China

(c) Nepal

(d) Bhutan

Ans (d)

Related Facts:

  • World Wide Fund (WWF) on the day of World Habitat Day, that is, 5 October 2015 released Hidden Himalayas: Asia’s Wonderland report.
  • The report also underscores the dire threats facing the vibrant ecosystems across a region spanning Bhutan, north-east India, Nepal, north Myanmar and the southern parts of Tibet.
  • According to the report, 211 new species like sneezing monkey, walking fish and jewel-like snake, were discovered in the Eastern Himalayas region between 2009 and 2014. On an average 34 new species were discovered annually for the past six years.
  • The 211 new species include 133 plants, 39 invertebrates, 26 fish, 10 amphibians, one reptile, one bird and one mammal. These species were found by scientists from various organizations.
  • The report found that as a consequence of development, only 25% of the original habitats is left.
  • In this report hundreds of species that live in eastern Himalayas are considered globally threatened.
  • Following top unique species were discovered from this region: Bulbophyllum Nepalense, Vibrant blue dwarf ‘walking’ snakehead fish (Channa Andrao), Koponenius Unicorns, Mycomya Jeti, Elachura Formosa, Leptobrachium Bompu, Parachiloglanis Bhutanensis, Megophrys Ancrae, Rhinopithecus Strykeri, Danionella Dracula (Dracula Fish), Protobothrops Himalayansus etc.

Reference:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/publications/hidden-himalayas-asia-s-wonderland