Where was the first breeding site of endangered Indian skimmers discovered?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (c) Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS), Bhagalpur district, Bihar.

In June 2023, the Bihar Forest Department discovered the first breeding site of the endangered Indian skimmer (Rynchops albicollis) within the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) in Bhagalpur district, Bihar.
The Indian skimmer is listed as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with an estimated global population of 2,450–2,900 mature individuals. This discovery in VGDS not only highlights the sanctuary's ecological significance but also underscores the importance of ongoing conservation efforts in the region.

Additional Information:

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

• The IUCN Red List, maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species.

Key Features:

• Categories:

  • Extinct (EX): No known individuals remaining.
  • Extinct in the Wild (EW): Exists only in captivity or cultivation.
  • Critically Endangered (CR): Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
  • Endangered (EN): High risk of extinction in the wild.
  • Vulnerable (VU): High risk of becoming endangered.
  • Near Threatened (NT): Likely to become endangered in the near future.
  • Least Concern (LC): Lowest risk; widespread and abundant.
  • Data Deficient (DD): Insufficient data to assess risk.

• Purpose:

  • Assess species' risk of extinction.
  • Guide conservation efforts and policy decisions.
  • Raise awareness about biodiversity threats.

• Criteria:

  • Population size and trends.
  • Range and habitat quality.
  • Impact of threats like habitat loss, climate change, and poaching.

• Significance:

  • Serves as a global barometer for the health of biodiversity.
  • Informs international agreements like CITES and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).