Return of the Dhole: A Wild Comeback in Kaziranga | Current Affairs by Suryavanshi IAS

 Return of the Dhole: A Wild Comeback in Kaziranga | Current Affairs by Suryavanshi IAS

“In nature, nothing is ever truly lost – only waiting to be rediscovered.”

 In a rare yet thrilling moment for Indian wildlife conservation, the elusive dhole, or Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus), has made a remarkable return to the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape (KKAL) in Assam. Once believed to be locally extinct, its confirmed reappearance, documented through camera traps by scientists from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), marks a significant ecological victory — and a key current affairs topic for UPSC aspirants!

 

 Why It Matters for UPSC:

Prelims:

·         Wildlife species & conservation status

·         Important corridors and biodiversity hotspots (e.g., Indo-Burma Hotspot)

Mains GS-3 (Environment):

·         Wildlife conservation and threats

·         Role of ecological corridors

·         Human-wildlife coexistence

Essay & Ethics:

·         Conservation as a moral responsibility

·         Rediscovery of species and hope in climate-challenged times

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 Key Findings from the Study:

Published in: Journal of Threatened Taxa
Evidence from: Camera-traps (first ever in Amguri corridor, KKAL) Location: 25,000 sq. km Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Landscape, part of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot
 Corridors surveyed: Panbari, Haldhibari, Kanchanjuri, and Amguri
Dhòle sightings: 6 sightings of a single individual in Amguri, near National Highway 37

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About the Dhole – India’s Forgotten Predator:

·         IUCN Status: Endangered

·         Habitat: Dense forest ecosystems

·         Social Structure: Packs up to 30, but can hunt solo

·         Geographic Range: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, SE Asia — now less than 25% of historic range

·         Threats: Habitat loss, prey depletion, deforestation, retaliatory killings

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Why Should UPSC Aspirants Care?

The return of the dhole to KKAL is more than a wildlife story — it’s a case study in environmental resilience, habitat conservation, and the complex balance between development and ecology. For UPSC, it’s an example you can use in Mains and an eco-current affair that shows awareness beyond the usual tigers and elephants.

Tip: Use this example in GS3 to discuss the value of corridors in biodiversity conservation and the importance of tracking lesser-known species.

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 Suryavanshi IAS View: A Wake-Up Call for Conservation Policy

 “This discovery is a timely reminder of why forest linkages must be protected.”
In a time of rapid habitat fragmentation, infrastructure expansion, and climate pressure, this finding emphasizes the need for policy focus on:

·         Restoring corridors

·         Local community participation in conservation

·         Strengthening environmental impact assessments

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 UPSC Preparation Starts Here: Join Suryavanshi IAS – India's Leading Foundation Programme

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·         Expert Faculty from top institutions

·         Personalized mentorship & doubt-clearing

·         Daily current affairs integrated with the syllabus

·         Answer writing sessions with feedback

·         Special Focus on GS-3 Environmental Issues

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 Final Thought:

When the forests speak, wise minds listen.
Let the return of the dhole be your reminder that conservation success is possible — and as an IAS aspirant, it's your job to carry that vision forward in governance.

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