The Malayan Giant Squirrel, one of the world’s largest squirrel species, is at risk of extinction in India, according to a recent study conducted by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). The study projects that if urgent measures are not taken, the Malayan Giant Squirrel population could decline by 90% by 2050. This report is the first of its kind and draws attention to the need for quick action to conserve this unique and vital species.
Introducing the Zoological Survey of India
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), headquartered in Kolkata, is a prominent organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Established in 1916, it serves as the national centre for faunistic survey and research on the rich faunal diversity within India’s borders. The ZSI’s endeavours contribute significantly to the enhancement of knowledge about India’s diverse animal species.
A Deeper Look at the Malayan Giant Squirrel
Known scientifically as Ratufa bicolor, the Malayan Giant Squirrel is amongst the largest squirrel species in the world. It stands out with its dark upper body, pale under parts, and a long bushy tail. While these squirrels are tree-dwelling and herbivorous like flying squirrels, they differ in being active during daytime, a trait known as diurnality. India is home to three giant squirrel species – the Indian Giant Squirrel, Grizzled Giant Squirrel, and the Malayan Giant Squirrel.
Habitat and Global Distribution of the Species
The Malayan Giant Squirrel’s habitat comprises mostly evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, from plains to hills, at elevations anywhere between 50 m to 1,500 m above sea level. Globally, the species can be found in Southern China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Burma, the Malayan Peninsula, Sumatra, and Java. In India, it inhabits the forests of the Northeast, particularly in parts of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. An estimated 8.5% of the squirrel’s total habitat range in Asia is believed to be in India.
The Malayan Giant Squirrel: An Indicator Species
The Malayan Giant Squirrel holds considerable significance as a forest health indicator species. Such species provide vital information regarding the overall condition of the ecosystem they inhabit and the well-being of other species within it. This role equips them with the ability to mirror the quality, changes, and environmental conditions of their respective ecosystems.
Threats and Conservation Status
The ZSI study highlights multiple threats to the survival of the Malayan Giant Squirrel, including deforestation, fragmentation of forests, over-harvesting of food, crop cultivation, illegal wildlife trade, and hunting for consumption. The slash-and-burn cultivation method commonly employed in many areas of the Northeast further contributes to the destruction of its habitat. Presently, only 43.38% of the squirrel’s original habitat in India is viewed as favourable to it. If current trends persist, such favourable zones could shrink to a mere 2.94% of the species’ intended habitation area by 2050. Over the last two decades, the species’ population has suffered a 30% decline in India. Its conservation status includes being listed as ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List, appearing in Appendix II of CITES, and receiving protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.