1 . Rhino DNA Indexing System (RhoDIS)
Syllabus Mapping: GS3: Environment & Biodiversity; Wildlife Conservation
- During the 91st Meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL), the Committee reviewed the long-term conservation strategy for the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros based on the Rhino DNA Indexing System (RhoDIS).
- RhoDIS (Rhino DNA Indexing System) is a DNA-based wildlife forensic database that assigns a unique genetic profile to every rhinoceros.
- Developed originally in South Africa, the database catalogs genetic data such as micro-satellite markers and Shirt Tandem Repeats(STRs).
- It enables enforcement agencies to match seized rhino horns with individual animals and their source population, strengthening anti-poaching investigations and prosecution.
- The programme also supports genetic diversity assessment, population monitoring and long-term conservation planning for the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros.
- RhoDIS India launched in 2016, is implemented through collaboration among the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), MoEFCC and rhino-range States, particularly for protection of Greater one-horned Rhino.
- Rhino horn is made of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and nails.
- Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis): IUCN – Vulnerable, CITES – Appendix I, Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 – Schedule I.
- India holds over 75% of the world’s Greater One-horned Rhinoceros population, with Kaziranga National Park harbouring the largest population.
- Major rhino habitats: Kaziranga, Manas, Orang & Pobitora (Assam); Jaldapara & Gorumara (West Bengal); Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (Uttar Pradesh).
2. National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)
Syllabus Mapping: GS3: Environment & Biodiversity; Wildlife Conservation
- The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) is the apex statutory advisory body on wildlife conservation in India, constituted under Section 5A of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (inserted through the 2002 amendment).
- It is chaired by the Prime Minister, while the Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change serves as the Vice-Chairperson.
- The Board advises the Central Government on wildlife conservation policies, management of Protected Areas, biodiversity conservation, and mitigation measures for projects affecting wildlife habitats.
- A Standing Committee of the NBWL, chaired by the Union Environment Minister, examines proposals related to projects in and around Protected Areas (PAs), Tiger Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries and Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs).
- The NBWL has 47 members, including government representatives, Members of Parliament, NGOs, conservationists and experts
3. Pygmy Hog
Syllabus Mapping: GS3: Environment & Biodiversity; Species Conservation
- During the 91st Standing Committee meeting of the NBWL, the proposal to include the Pygmy Hog under the Species Recovery Programme was reviewed to strengthen conservation of this highly threatened species.
- The Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania) is the smallest and rarest wild pig in the world and is endemic to the tall alluvial grasslands of Assam.
- It is a grassland indicator species, and its survival depends on early successional riverine grasslands dominated by tall grasses such as Saccharum and Imperata.
- The species is protected through the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP), which combines captive breeding, habitat restoration and reintroduction into the wild.
- Manas National Park is the principal landscape for its recovery, with recent reintroductions into the Kuribeel grasslands under the PHCP.
- Conservation status: IUCN – Endangered, CITES Appendix I, Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 – Schedule I.
- Habitat: Tall wet alluvial grasslands of the Himalayan foothills; currently survives mainly in Assam.
- It is one of the very few mammals that builds its own grass nest with a roof for shelter and breeding.
4. Recovery Programme for Critically Endangered Species
Syllabus Mapping: GS3: Environment & Biodiversity; Wildlife Conservation
- The programme is implemented under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) – Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- It provides species-specific conservation through scientific Recovery Plans, including habitat restoration, captive breeding, reintroduction, population monitoring, threat mitigation and community participation.
- Recovery Plans are prepared jointly by the Chief Wildlife Wardens of the concerned States with the support of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) or other scientific institutions, and are approved by the Standing Committee of NBWL.
- The programme provides 100% Central Assistance for both recurring and non-recurring conservation activities under the scheme.
- The programme currently covers 22 critically endangered species, including Great Indian Bustard (including Floricans), Hangul, Gangetic Dolphin, Dugong, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion, Caracal, Red Panda, Clouded Leopard, Nilgiri Tahr, Vultures, Jerdon’s Courser, Northern River Terrapin, Arabian Sea Humpback Whale and Snow Leopard. (Just remember no Tiger and Elephant)
- The Director, Wildlife Preservation, with the approval of the Standing Committee of NBWL, can add new species or discontinue existing recovery programmes based on scientific evidence.
- The programme follows both in-situ conservation (habitat protection, corridor restoration, threat mitigation) and ex-situ conservation (conservation breeding, captive breeding and reintroduction).
5. Integrated Textile & Apparel Development Centres (ITADCs)
Syllabus Mapping: GS3: Industries; MSMEs; Textile Sector
- Recently, the Ministry of Textiles reviewed the functioning of Integrated Textile & Apparel Development Centres (ITADCs) and decided to transform them into one-stop facilitation centres for textile entrepreneurs and MSMEs.
- The revamped ITADCs will provide skill development, testing & certification, design support, technology adoption, incubation, market linkages and business facilitation under one roof.
- ITADCs function under the administrative control of NITRA (Northern India Textile Research Association), Ghaziabad, with support from the Ministry of Textiles.
- The initiative aims to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs, encourage technology upgradation, enhance product quality and strengthen India’s textile value chain.
- The centres complement flagship initiatives such as PM MITRA Parks, the Textile PLI Scheme and Bharat Tex in achieving the vision of making India a global textile manufacturing hub.
- ITADCs are different from PM MITRA Parks: ITADCs provide institutional support, testing, skilling and business facilitation, whereas PM MITRA Parks are large integrated manufacturing parks.
