Vishal Joshi, Hindustan Times
Karnal, October 28, 2012
Karnal, October 28, 2012
First Published: 19:36 IST(28/10/2012)
Last Updated: 19:37 IST(28/10/2012)
Last Updated: 19:37 IST(28/10/2012)
Credited with developing indigenous cloning techniques, hands of
scientists at National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) of the district
are now full with researching on cloning the endangered wild buffalo.
The Chhattisgarh government has reportedly approached the NDRI to clone itsstate animal ban bhainsa (wild buffalo). Experts said the wild animal was similar to bison in appearance and a rare species.
Sources said once found in abundance in the central India, the buffaloes were now restricted to a few places in forests of the central Indian state.
They said cloning the buffalo would be a step to conserve the wildlife population.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), wild buffaloes were on the Red List of the threatened species.
It is also a Schedule-I animal under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Dr SK Singla, principal scientist of the NDRI biotechnology department, said on Sunday that the institute was yet to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chhattisgarh government to clone the endangered species.
"We are working on the basic modalities before kicking off the project," he said.
Sources in the NDRI said that Dr Singla had been named as the team leader of the project.
"A team of scientists led by Dr Singla has recently visited Udanti forests in Chhattisgarh regarding the project. If it works fine, the initiative will pave a path in the direction of conserving lions, tigers and other wild animals," said a scientist who did not wish to be named.
The central government premier dairy research institute had cloned the world's first domestic buffalo and pashmina goat in the past.
The Chhattisgarh government has reportedly approached the NDRI to clone itsstate animal ban bhainsa (wild buffalo). Experts said the wild animal was similar to bison in appearance and a rare species.
Sources said once found in abundance in the central India, the buffaloes were now restricted to a few places in forests of the central Indian state.
They said cloning the buffalo would be a step to conserve the wildlife population.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), wild buffaloes were on the Red List of the threatened species.
It is also a Schedule-I animal under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Dr SK Singla, principal scientist of the NDRI biotechnology department, said on Sunday that the institute was yet to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Chhattisgarh government to clone the endangered species.
"We are working on the basic modalities before kicking off the project," he said.
Sources in the NDRI said that Dr Singla had been named as the team leader of the project.
"A team of scientists led by Dr Singla has recently visited Udanti forests in Chhattisgarh regarding the project. If it works fine, the initiative will pave a path in the direction of conserving lions, tigers and other wild animals," said a scientist who did not wish to be named.
The central government premier dairy research institute had cloned the world's first domestic buffalo and pashmina goat in the past.
The largest and most powerful of all wild cattle species – the Indian Gaur is yet another threatened bovine species in India after the Asiatic Buffalo. Given the sheer size and power of the Gaur,
it has very few natural enemies. However, one of its enemies is the
Tiger, which is known to comfortably hunt down an adult Gaur. The
primary reason for the Gaur to be categorized as a ‘vulnerable’ species
is its diminishing habitat and susceptibility to bovine diseases.
Like the water buffalo herds the Gaur herds are also headed by an adult female. The adult males are mostly solitary, however one tends to see an adult male closely following a herd of Gaurs comprising of the female and their calves.
Given their huge size and dark plumage, Gaurs are challenging photography subjects especially when you are using telephoto lenses. It is quite a wildlife experience to watch these mammals at 600 mm focal length. We have tried to do justice to this endangered species with our favorite D300, 300mm f2.8 lens and at times with the 2x TC mounted.
Like the water buffalo herds the Gaur herds are also headed by an adult female. The adult males are mostly solitary, however one tends to see an adult male closely following a herd of Gaurs comprising of the female and their calves.
Given their huge size and dark plumage, Gaurs are challenging photography subjects especially when you are using telephoto lenses. It is quite a wildlife experience to watch these mammals at 600 mm focal length. We have tried to do justice to this endangered species with our favorite D300, 300mm f2.8 lens and at times with the 2x TC mounted.
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