Indian Desert Fox

Subject: Environment

Context- Prosopis juliflora, a salt-tolerant and fruit-bearing tree, has flourished in the Banni grasslands of Gujarat.

The encroachment by this woody invasive plant is, however, resulting in a loss of habitat and resources for the desert fox.

Concept-

The Desert Fox:

The desert fox is a specialist in open dry grasslands and deserts.
The Indian desert fox (Vulpes vulpespusilla) is one among three subspecies of red fox found in India.
- The other two subspecies are the Kashmir fox and the Tibetan red fox.
Its habitat includes dunes, saline scrub grasslands and semi-arid scrub savannah.
It shelters in burrows dug in the ground near the vegetation cover of reeds and bushes.
Gerbils, other rodents and spiny-tailed lizards are its main prey.
This subspecies has been given the highest legal protection in India (Schedule I) under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- But despite its legal status, it is poached for its fur and meat.
- Rapid urbanisation, industrialisation and the introduction of invasive plant species, like the Prosopis juliflora in their habitats have also had an impact on the desert fox numbers.

Prosopis juliflora:

Prosopis juliflora is a shrub or small tree in the family Fabaceae, a kind of mesquite.
It is native to Mexico,South America and the Caribbean.
It has become established as an invasive weed in Africa, Asia, Australia and elsewhere.
It is a contributing factor to continuing transmission of malaria, especially during dry periods when sugar sources from native plants are largely unavailable to mosquitoes.
Prosopis juliflora is a resilient species and can withstand extremely harsh weather and soil conditions.
Its extensive root system enables it to tap groundwater easily, so it remains green even in peak summer.

Banni Grasslands:

Banni is the largest grassland of Asia situated near the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.
It is spread over 2,618 kilometres and accounts for almost 45% of the pastures in Gujarat.
Two ecosystems, wetlands and grasslands, are mixed side by side in Banni.
Vegetation in Banni is sparse and highly dependent on rainfall.
Banni grasslands, traditionally, were managed following a system of rotational grazing.
Banni is dominated by low-growing plants, forbs and graminoids, many of which are halophiles (salt tolerant), as well as scattered tree cover and scrub.
The area is rich in flora and fauna, with 192 species of plants, 262 species of birds, several species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has identified this grassland reserve as one of the last remaining habitats of the cheetah in India and a possible reintroduction site for the species.
Maldharis are a tribal herdsmen community inhabiting Banni.