Saving the Malabar Grey Hornbill: A Voice from the Western Ghats
- vidyarthee2021
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
In a significant recognition for India’s grassroots conservation efforts, researchers from Kerala have received the Future Conservationist Award from the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) for their efforts in conserving the Malabar Grey Hornbill—an iconic yet vulnerable bird species endemic to the Western Ghats.
About the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP)
The CLP is a global initiative jointly managed by:
Fauna & Flora International
BirdLife International
Wildlife Conservation Society
It aims to support early-career conservationists (with less than five years of experience).
Offers:
Financial grants
Capacity-building training
Tailored mentorship for impactful conservation projects
Malabar Grey Hornbill: An Endemic Forest Specialist
Scientific name: Ocyceros griseus
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable
Habitat: Endemic to the Western Ghats, India.
Found from sea level to mid-elevations (starting from ~50 metres).
Ecological Role: A key seed disperser in tropical forests, vital for maintaining biodiversity and forest regeneration.
Threats:
Habitat loss due to deforestation and plantation expansion
Fragmentation of forest patches
Hunting in some areas
Conservation Significance
The award-winning project focuses on:
Community engagement for habitat protection
Forest corridor mapping
Promoting the hornbill as a flagship species for Western Ghats conservation
The initiative reinforces India’s commitment to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and UN SDG 15 – Life on Land.
Why This Matters for UPSC
Relates to GS Paper 3: Environment, Biodiversity, and Conservation.
Important example of:
Community-based conservation
Flagship species approach
Global-local conservation synergy
UPSC Prelims Question
Consider the following statements with respect to the Malabar Grey Hornbill:
It is listed as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List.
It is found exclusively in the Eastern Ghats.
It plays a vital role as a seed disperser in the Western Ghats ecosystem.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect – It is listed as Vulnerable, not Critically Endangered.
Statement 2 is incorrect – It is endemic to the Western Ghats, not the Eastern Ghats.
Statement 3 is correct – It is a key seed disperser, aiding biodiversity.
UPSC Mains Question
Q. Discuss the ecological significance of the Malabar Grey Hornbill and evaluate the role of local conservation efforts in protecting endemic species in biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats.
Comments