CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Chilika Lake has 176 fishing cats , a globally threatened species, says the estimation. : The Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, has 176 fishing cats, according to a census conducted by Chilika Development Authority (CDA) in collaboration with The Fishing Cat Project (TFCP).

Detailed explanation-2: -Chilika: Chilika Development Authority (CDA) in collaboration with The Fishing Cat Project (TFCP) recently conducted world’s first fishing cat census at Chilika lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon.

Detailed explanation-3: -The fishing cat is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, which means that it faces a high threat of extinction in the wild.

Detailed explanation-4: -IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. Despite multiple threats, the Fishing Cat was recently downlisted to “Vulnerable” from “Endangered” in the IUCN Red List species assessment. CITES: Appendix II. Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.

Detailed explanation-5: -The fishing cat, Prionailurus viverrinus, is a highly elusive wild cat species found primarily in wetland and mangrove habitats with some populations in Sri Lanka having even been recorded in highly urbanised landscapes and montane forests.