Assam now has its own threatened list of 14 species, comprising seven plant and seven animal species.
The seven plant species includes Cathcart’s Magnolia, Griffith’s Magnolia, Magnolia, siya nahar, lady’s slipper orchid, Lanceleaf Vatica and cycas.
The seven animal species includes red-headed vulture, Assamese day gecko, tokay gecko, black soft-shelled turtle, narrow-headed soft-shelled turtle, elongated tortoise and brown tortoise.
The list has been prepared by the Assam State Biodiversity Board under Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act 2002, for the state of Assam, reports The Telegraph.
Of the 14 species, 12 are listed in the Schedule 4 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
The list includes species that are under threat perception on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species are not strongly protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
The list also includes species that are assumed to be threatened according to the general public.
The board said that the threatened species included in the list are not allowed to be collected except with its approval and that too for very necessary purposes.
The board gives permission to collect the threatened species only for scientific research, herbariums and museum of scientific and academic institutions, propagation and any scientific investigation.
Under Section 38 of the Biological Diversity Act 2002, the Centre, in consultation with the state government, may from time to time notify any species that is on the verge of extinction or likely to become extinct in the near future, as a “threatened species”.
In 2016, the board recommended development of a protocol of threatened species of Assam as directed by the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change.
According to the protocol, a preliminary list of five plants and 30 animal species was prepared based on media reports, people’s perception and scientific publications.
The list was advertised in local newspapers and on the website, inviting opinions comments or objections, if any, from eminent citizens and scientific communities, within a time frame of a month on September 2016.
Based on comments and opinions, the threatened list was finally prepared and submitted to the government.
The board said the list of threatened species will be helpful in protecting them against illegal trade and uses.