Context: Recently, a batch of captive-bred pygmy hogs were released in the Manas National Park of Assam.  

• They were reintroduced into the wild under the Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme (PHCP).

About Pygmy Hog

• The Pygmy Hog is a native to alluvial grasslands in the foothills of the Himalayas at elevations of up to 300 m.
• They are found in Assam in India and in Bhutan.

Threats

• Habitat destruction
• Poaching

Conservation Status

• Listed under endangered category of the IUCN Red List.
• Part of the Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• CITES: Appendix I

?Manas National Park

• Manas National Park is a national park, UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve in Assam, India.
• The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog.
• Manas is famous for its population of the wild water buffalo.

Vegetation
The main vegetation types are:

• Sub-Himalayan Light Alluvial Semi-Evergreen forests in the northern parts.
• East Himalayan mixed Moist and Dry Deciduous forests (the most common type).
• Low Alluvial Savanna Woodland.
• Assam Valley Semi-Evergreen Alluvial Grasslands which cover almost 50% of the park.