CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
Conservation of the Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) in India is facing setbacks due to species misidentification and management gaps. A Central Zoo Authority (CZA) report released in December 2024 revealed that several zoos have confused the Alpine musk deer with the Himalayan musk deer (Moschus leucogaster). This mix-up has hindered breeding initiatives intended to safeguard the endangered Alpine musk deer, native to the central and eastern Himalayas.
Species Misidentification
The Alpine musk deer and Himalayan musk deer inhabit overlapping regions, creating confusion in captive care.
Zoos have unintentionally bred Himalayan musk deer instead of focusing on the Alpine species.
The report highlighted that the Musk Deer Breeding Centre near Chopta (Uttarakhand) and the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park in Darjeeling likely housed Alpine musk deer but failed to develop a dedicated breeding programme.
As a result, the status of captive Alpine musk deer populations in India remains unclear.
Population Status
In the 1980s, there were an estimated 1,000 Alpine musk deer in the wild.
Current numbers are unknown due to the lack of updated surveys.
The IUCN classified the species as ‘Critically Endangered’ in 2014.
With little progress in captive breeding, the species’ future survival is under serious threat.
Role Of Central Zoo Authority
The CZA, formed in 1992 under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, manages captive breeding of endangered species in India.
It assigns species to zoos for focused conservation programmes.
In 2022, the Act was amended to categorise conservation breeding centres as zoos, strengthening their role in ex-situ conservation.
This legislative update aims to improve oversight and enhance conservation outcomes.
Funding And Transparency Issues
Between 2006 and 2021, the government allocated ?29 crore to zoos for breeding efforts.
However, there is no clear record of how much of this funding was directed specifically towards Alpine musk deer conservation.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change clarified that states manage most of the finances, making it difficult to track programme efficiency.
Future Steps For Conservation
The CZA report recommends that no new species should be added to breeding projects until existing programmes are improved.
It suggests that India should create its own threatened species list, as the IUCN Red List does not always reflect India-specific conservation needs.
The report stresses the importance of accurate species identification, scientific management, and stronger breeding programmes to protect the Alpine musk deer from extinction.
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