Relevance: GS3 – Environment & Biodiversity | Source: Deccan Herald, Madras Courier, IUCN
New ecological studies highlight the declining sightings of the Nilgiri Marten, India’s only marten species, raising concerns about habitat fragmentation across the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot.
What is the Nilgiri Marten?
- A small carnivorous mammal (family Mustelidae), endemic to the Western Ghats.
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable; protected under Schedule II (Part II) of the Wildlife Protection Act.
- Has a distinctive yellow throat patch, arboreal agility, and a broad omnivorous diet.
- Acts as a “forest gardener” by dispersing seeds of wild fruits and regulating rodent populations.
Significance, Threats & Strategy
Aspect | Key Points |
| Ecological Role | Seed dispersal, pest control, indicator of mid-elevation shola–grassland health |
| Major Threats | Habitat loss due to plantations & roads, forest fires, tourism pressure, fragmentation of canopy pathways |
| Strategy to Save the Marten | Strengthen Western Ghats ESA norms; restore shola–grassland mosaics; reduce roadkills via wildlife corridors; enhance community-based monitoring |
Q. With reference to the Nilgiri Marten, consider the following statements:
- It is endemic to the Western Ghats.
- It is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Which of the above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
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