BIODIVERSITY OF INDIA

by Nity Nishant

Life+ variety species inhabiting the earth estimates

vary from 8 to 14 million speciesIndia, a megadiversity country with only

2.4% of the land area, accounts for 7-8% of the recorded species of the world

45,500 species of plants and 91,000 species of animals

Levels of Biodiversity

1. Genetic Diversity: genetic variation within a species

2. Species Diversity :diversity among species

Ecosystem Diversity: diversity of habitats

Benefits associated with Biodiversity

Biological resourcesFoodMedicinal resources and pharmaceutical

drugsWood productsOrnamental plants

Ecosystem servicesProtection of Soils Erosion and floodsNutrient storage and recyclingPollution breakdown and absorptionContribution to climate stability

Social benefitsResearch, education and monitoringRecreation and tourismCultural values

Biodiversity Hotspots An area which faces serious threat from

human activities and supports a unique biodiversity

Criteria to be qualified:Accordingly to the Conservation

Internationalit must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (> 0.5 percent of the world’s total) as endemics, and

it has to have lost at least 70 percent of its original habitat.

(http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150569/)

Biodiversity hotspots in IndiaThe Western Ghats/Sahyadri Mountains-high rainfall,

states includes Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. There are over 6000 vascular plants, 3000 are endemic belonging to over 2500 genera

The Eastern Himalayas- region encompassing Bhutan, northeastern India, and Nepal. It has nearly 163 globally threatened species including 45 mammals, 50 birds, 17 reptiles, 12 amphibians, 3 invertebrate and 36 plant species

(http://www.biodiversityofindia.org/index.php?title=Biodiversity_hotspots_in_India)

Biodiversity hotspots in India…

Indo-Burma- spread out from Eastern Bangladesh to Malaysia, covers 2 million sq km, supports wide diversity of climate and habitat patterns,   Much of this region is still a wilderness, but has been deteriorating rapidly in the past few decades

Sundaland- It includes Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, Nicobar Islands. The United Nations declared the islands a World Biosphere Reserve in 2013, rich terrestrial and marine ecosystem that includes mangroves, coral reefs and sea grass beds.

Recent extinctions (India)

Mammals- Indian / Asiatic Cheetah, Javan Rhinoceros and Sumatran Rhinoceros

Birds- Pink-headed Duck (Rhodonessa caryophyllacea) and theHimalayan Quail(Ophrysia superciliosa)

(http://www.biodiversityofindia.org/index.php?title=Biodiversity_hotspots_in_India)

Asiatic cheetahHimalayan Quail

Pink headed Duck

Sumatran Rhinoceros Javan Rhinoceros

warbler

Threats To Global Biodiversity

Habitat loss/degradationOver-hunting /PoachingClimate changeResource mismanagementInvasion of non-native /exotic speciesNatural CalamitiesPollutionOvergrazing

Progammes on Conservation of Biodiversity

In-situ ConservationConserving the animals and plants in their

natural habitats National parks Sanctuaries Biosphere reserves Reserved and protected forests Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Save the

Barasingha campaign

Ex-situ ConservationConserving the animals and plants away

from their natural habitatSeed banksGermplasm Botanical gardensZoological parks

Legislation Environment Protection Act, 1986 Fisheries Act, 1897 Forest Act, 1927 Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 1991

National Forest Policy amended in 1988, National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement for Environment

and Sustainable Development National Agricultural Policy National Land Use Policy National Fisheries Policy National Policy and Action Strategy on Biodiversity National Wildlife Action Plan Environmental Action Plan.

Thanks..

IUCN’s clip