Context
Assam has reported a major recovery of the pygmy hog, with its population increasing from a conservation-breeding founder population of just six individuals to 194. The State has set a target of raising the population to 300 by 2040 through continued breeding, reintroduction and grassland conservation.
Explanation
- Pygmy hog (Porcula salvania) is the world’s smallest wild pig and is endemic to the tall, wet alluvial grasslands of the Himalayan foothills.
- Once distributed across parts of India, Nepal and Bhutan, its surviving wild populations are now concentrated in Assam.
- It is classified as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- The Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP) began captive breeding using six hogs collected from Manas National Park.
- Conservation follows ex-situ breeding followed by reintroduction, alongside in-situ habitat restoration.
- Reintroductions have occurred in protected grasslands including Manas National Park and Orang National Park.
- Pygmy hog is an indicator species of healthy tall-grassland ecosystems; protecting its habitat also benefits other grassland fauna.
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