Guwahati, 3rd October: As India celebrates Wildlife Week (October 2-8, 2024), Assam takes center stage to highlight its rich biodiversity, focusing on the critically endangered Pygmy Hog. This tiny, rare suid, found exclusively in Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, teeters on the brink of extinction with only 100 individuals remaining.
Once believed extinct, the Pygmy Hog’s 1971 rediscovery underscored the urgent need for conservation. Habitat loss, primarily due to agricultural expansion and livestock grazing, threatens its survival.
The Government of Assam urges community involvement in protecting this Schedule I species and preserving tall, wet grasslands. “Biodiversity thrives where grasslands stand” emphasizes the delicate balance needed to maintain Assam’s natural heritage.
Conservation Efforts:
- Protecting tall, wet grasslands
- Community engagement and awareness
- Habitat preservation and restoration
- Addressing agricultural expansion and livestock grazing
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