Unit-4 Environmental Biodiversity

Introduction, History, Socioeconomic benefits,

Levels (Genetics, Specific and Ecosystem)
Hotspots of Biodiversity, Threats to Biodiversity,
Endangered and Endemic species, steps taken by
Indian Government to protect Biodiversity

Dhara Desai
Department of Biological and
Environmental Science`
 Biodiversity
 Biodiversity refers to the variety of organisms,
number of organisms and complex ecological
relationships between organisms or group of
organisms and their environment. Biodiversity
includes plants from grasses to giant trees, and
animals from insects to mammals.
 Importance of Biodiversity

 Biodiversity is important for the proper functioning of

many organisms and ecosystems.
 Biodiversity plays an important role in the formation
and enriching of soil.
 Biodiversity influences the watercycle and biogeochemical
cycles in theecosystem.
 Human populations depend on the varieties of plants and
animals for their food, clothing,shelter etc. That means,
biodiversity influences human life.
 Biodiversity is a biological wealth of a country or region.
Types of biodiversity or levels of biodiversity

Biological diversity or biodiversity is found at different

levels. The three levels or types of biodiversity are:
 Genetic Diversity
 Species Diversity
 Ecosystem Diversity
1. Genetic Diversity:
• Genetic diversity refers to the number of genetic
variations within the same species in the number and
types of genes present within the same species.
• Genes are the basic source of biodiversity. Genes are
the basic units of hereditary information, character or
quality that has been passed on from one generation
to the other.
Types of biodiversity or levels of biodiversity

Genetic Diversity:

Genetic diversity of Domestic Dogs

Genetic diversity of Banana

 Types of biodiversity or levels of biodiversity

2. Species Diversity:
• It refers to the variety of species or number of different kinds of
organisms within the community or ecosystem. means the
variety of different types of living things on earth such as plants,
bacteria, fungi, insects, mammals, etc. within aregion.
• For example, human beings belong to a single species, as they
can successfully inter-breed with each other and produce off
springs.
3. Ecosystem Diversity:
• Ecosystem diversity in the diversity of ecological complexity,
showing variations in trophic levels, number of habitats, food
webs, nutrient cycles, recycle materials within theecosystem
• Ecosystem diversity can be studied easily by grouping organisms
with specific climatic zones, called ‘biomes’. The major biomes or
climate zones are tundra (i.e., coniferous forests), temperate
deciduous forests, tropical rain forests, grassland forests,
savanna and prairie anddesserts
 Types of biodiversity or levels of biodiversity

2. Species Diversity:
The world’s large predatory cats:
(A) tiger, (B) slow leopard,
(C) leopard, (D) jaguar, and (E) lion.
By looking at their binomial names
one can immediately see the five
species are closely related

3. Ecosystem Diversity:
 Bio-geographical regions of India

India is divided into a number of Biogeographical religions.

Those Biogeographical regions are:
1.Himalayan Foothills: The Himalayan foothills extend
from the eastern frontiers of Kashmir to Assam. These areas
are rich in forests. They are also rich in wildlife.
2.Western Himalayas: The western Himalayas cover higher
altitudinal regions in the Himalayas from Kashmir to
Kumaon. These regions have pine forest and alpine shrubs.
They are also rich in wild animals.
3.Eastern Himalayas: The Eastern Himalayas extend from
Sikkim to NEFA. They are richer in biodiversity.
4.Western Arid Regions: The western arid regions cover
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Harayana, etc. They have sparse
vegetation.
 Bio-geographical regions of India
5. Gangetic Plains: The Gangetic plains cover Uttar Pradesh,
Bihar and west Bengal. The natural vegetation of these regions
consists of tropical moist deciduous forests and tropical dry
deciduous forests. mangrove forests are also found.
6.Eastern India: Eastern India includes plain regions of
Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram,
Meghalaya and Tripura. The vegetation of these regions
consists of tropical west evergreen forests, tropical semi-
evergreen forests, These regions represent high diversity of
orchids, bamboos, tree ferns, etc.
7. The Deccan Plateau: The Deccan Plateau lies south of
Vindhyan hills and Eastern and Western Ghats. The major
part of this area is covered by tropical thorn forests and
tropical dry deciduous forests. Andhra Pradesh and Orissa
have most deciduous forests.
 Bio-geographical regions of India
8.Western Ghats: The Western Ghats, in general, have
tropical; moist deciduous forests, tropical evergreen
forests. This area has rich endemic flora. This region is
also important for wildlife elephants, deer, etc.
9.Eastern Ghats: The Eastern Ghats have tropical dry
deciduous thorny forests. These regions are also is
important forwildlife.
10.Andaman and Nicobar Islands: The Andaman and
Nicobar Islands have rich biodiversity with tropical
rain forests and moist deciduous forests. There are also
mangrove forests and mammals, reptiles, and marine
animals.
Bio-geographical regions of India
Biodiversity at Global,National and local levels
Global biodiversity
 It is estimated that there are 5 to 30 million species of living
forms on the earth, of these, only 1.5 million species have
been identified so far.
 The species include 3,00,000 species of green plants and
fungi, 9,00,000 species of insects, 40,000 species of micro
organisms.
 The number of insects is expected to be as high as 10
millions. Only 1.5 million species are known, which is just
2% of the actual number
 The tropical rain forests are the earths largest storehouse of
biodiversity and are inhabited by millions of species of
plants, animals, birds, insects, micro- organisms, etc.
 According to the opinion of the scientists, about 80% of
global diversity is present in tropical forests, which is only
7% of the total land surface.
Biodiversity at Global,National and local levels

National biodiversity
 The wide variety of physical features and, climatic situation of
India has contributed to diversityof
ecological habitats, biodiversity richness.
 These vary from the humid tropical Western Ghats to the hot
deserts of Rajasthan, from the cold deserts of Ladakh and the icy
mountains of Himalayas to the western coasts of peninsular
India.
 India is very rich in biodiversity with a sizeable percentage and
fauna. About 7% of global species are found in India. It is
estimated that India ranks 10th among the plant rich countries of
the world
 There are about 93 major wet lands, coral reefs and mangroves.
 Indian forests cover 64.01 million hectares, having a rich
biodiversity of Plants in the Trans-Himalayan, North-west,
west, Central and Eastern Himalayan forests, Western Ghats,
Gangetic Plains, Deccan Plateau and the Andaman, Nicobarand
Lakshadweep Islands.
Value of biodiversity
 The biodiversity influences human life. It is vital to human
survival, as it provides food, medicines, materials for
shelter, clothing, tools etc.
 Biodiversity value means the utility or uses of biodiversity
to man. Types of biodiversityvalue
1. Consumptive usevalue.
2. productive usevalue
3. Social value
4. Ethical value
5. Aesthetic value
6. option value
7. Legal value
8. economic value
9. Ecological value
Value of biodiversity

1. Consumptive usevalue
Consumptive use value is the direct use value of the
Consumptive use value. i.e the use of products of the
Consumptive use value, for direct human consumption.
Biodiversity provides a number of products having
consumptive use value, such as food, drugs, fuel, fiber, etc.
2. Productive Use Value:
Productive use value is the commercially usable value, i.e.,
the product can be marketed and sold. Animal products like
tusks of elephants, musk from musk deer, silk from
silkworms, wool from sheep, fur from fur-bearing animals,
lac from lac insects, etc. can be traded in the market.
Many industries are dependent upon the productive use
value biodiversity, e.g. paper industry, plywood industry,
textile industry, leather industry, etc.
 Value of biodiversity

3. Social Value:
Social value is the value associated with the social life, customs,
religion and psycho-spiritual aspects of the people. Many of the
plants are considered holy and sacred in our country, e.g., tulsi
,peepal, neem, mango, lotus etc. The leaves, flowers and fruits of
these plants are used in worship. Many animals like cow, snake, bull,
peacock, owl, etc. have significance in our psycho-spiritual arena
and thus hold special importance.
4. Ethical value:
Ethical value sometimes known as existence value involves ethical
issues like "all life must be preserved". We must protect our
biodiversity, because biodiversity is valuable to man. The ethical
value also means that we may or may not use a species, but knowing
the very fact that this species exists in the nature gives us pleasure.
For instance, we are not deriving much benefit from kangaroo, zebra
or giraffe, but all of us feel that these species should exist in nature.
This means, there is an ethical value or existence value each species.
Value of biodiversity
5. Aesthetical Value:
The earth’s natural beauty has always inspired man from
time immemorial. Nature in all its beauty is to be valued.
That means, aesthetic value is attached to biodiversity. The
aesthetic value that we attach to the natural environment is
an important reason for saving ourbiodiversity.
6. Option Value:
Option values include the potentialities of biodiversity that
are presently unknown, but that can be explored. For
instance, there is a possibility that we may have some
potential cure of AIDS or Cancer existing within the depths
of marine ecosystem or tropical rain forests. The option
value also includes the values in terms of the options to
visit areas where a variety of flora and fauna or specifically
some endemic, rare or endangered species exist.
Value of biodiversity
7. Legal Value:
The earth is not only the home of mankind, but is also the
home of all other lives. So, all other organisms also have a
right to live.
8. Economic Value:
Bio diversity has economic value. That is, the economic
welfare of the people and their nations depends on biotic
resources, Everyday, we use thousands of products whose
source is biodiversity, i.e., diversity of plants andanimals.
9.Ecological Value:
Biodiversity is indispensable for prevention of soil erosion,
prevention of floods, maintenance of soil fertility, cycling
of nutrients, fixation of nitrogen, cycling of water,
pollutant absorption, reduction of threat of global
warming, etc. That implies biodiversity holds great
ecological value.
 Threats to biodiversity
 In the geological period, some species died, and some had
been replaced by otherspecies.
 It is true that a number of plant and animal species have
become extinct due to natural forces like volcanic eruption,
earthquakes, glaciations, desertification, global warming,
soil erosion, floods, droughts, forest fires, eutrophication,
etc.
 But human beings and human activities are causing major
threats to biodiversity
 Tremendous rise in human population, urbanisation,
industrialization, construction of high- ways and railway
lines, large-scale plantations, commercial farming,
deforestation, over-grazing, over-fishing, poaching of wild
life; etc. have accelerated the loss of biodiversity.
 Threats to biodiversity
 In the geological period, some species died, and some had
been replaced by otherspecies.
 It is true that a number of plant and animal species have
become extinct due to natural forces like volcanic eruption,
earthquakes, glaciations, desertification, global warming, soil
erosion, floods, droughts, forest fires, eutrophication, etc.
 But human beings and human activities are causing major
threats to biodiversity
 Tremendous rise in human population, urbanisation,
industrialization, construction of high- ways and railway lines,
large-scale plantations, commercial farming, deforestation,
over-grazing, over-fishing, poaching of wild life; etc. have
accelerated the loss of biodiversity.
Threats to biodiversity
 Causes of loss of biodiversity
1.Loss of Natural Habitats or Destruction of Habitats:
 Habitat is a place in which an organism lives.Habitats are an important
component of an eco-system, and habitat destruction is the greatest threat to
loss of biodiversity.
 Habitat destruction is responsible forabout 80% of the extinction of species.
 Natural forests and grasslands have been the natural homes of thousands of
speciesof wild life.
 Due to the losses of their natural habitats or natural homes, thousands of
species of Animal life has perished
 The natural habitat may be destroyed by man for his settlement,
agriculture, mining, industries, highway construction, dam building etc.
 As a consequence, the species must either adapt to the changes in the
environment, move elsewhere or may succumb to predation, starvation or
disease and eventually die. Several rare butterfly species are facing
extinction due to habitat destruction in the Western Ghats. Of the 370
butterfly species available in the Ghats, around 70 are at the brink of
extinction.
 Causes of loss of biodiversity
2. Poaching or Hunting of Wildlife
 Poaching of wildlife means illegal hunting of wild animals as a game or for
the sake of animal products to be sold for money
 Despite international ban on trade in products from endangered species,
smuggling of wildlife products like furs, hides, horns, tusks, etc. by mafia
continues on a large scale, Poaching of endangered species in the
international market.
 Poaching is carried on not only by mafia but also by tribal people living near
the forests for obtaining products from the animals in the forests for getting
food, shelter, etc. for their survival.
 Poaching of wildlife has led to extinction of various species in the biosphere.
 In India, rhino is hunted for its horns, tiger for bones and skin, musk deer for
musk (medicinal value), elephant for ivory, Gharial and crocodile for skin
and jackal for fur trade in Kashmir.
 One of the most publicized commercial hunts is that on whale. Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES) listed 9 Indian animal species which have been severely depleted
due to international trade.
 Causes of loss of biodiversity
2. Poaching or Hunting of Wildlife
 These are
Fin Whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus moschiferus)
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelya imbricata)
Olive Ridley Turtle (Dermochelys olivacea)
Salt-water Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
Desert Monitor Lizard (Varanus griseus)
Yellow Monitor Lizard (V. flavesoens) and
Bengal Monitor Lizard (V. bengalensis).
 Causes of loss of biodiversity
3. Man-wildlife Conflicts
 Man-wildlife conflicts are also one of the causes for loss of
biodiversity. Conflict between man and wildlife has
become an issue of survival for both wildlife and man.
 With the increase in human activities by modern man, and
the encroachment of the natural habitats of wildlife by
man, the natural habitat of wildlife, i.e., forest, hasshrunk.
 The shrinkage of forest cover has compelled the wild
animals to move outside the forests and enter villages and
towns around the forests, and attack the agricultural fields,
domestic animals, and sometimes, even human beings.
The villagers kill the wild animals that have strayed into
their villages. The result is loss of wild animals.
 Anthropogenic activities like developmental pressure,
encroachment, over - exploitation, faulty management of
forests and wildlife, etc. have also increased the man-wild
life conflict and led to loss of wildlife and biodiversity.
 Causes of loss of biodiversity

4. Exploitation of Selected Species

 Exploitation of medicinally important plants has resulted in their
disappearance from many of their natural habitat.
 The pitcher plants, Nepenthes khasiana, Drosera sp., Gnetum sp.,
Psilotum sp., Isoetes sp. are ruthlessly sought and collected for
teaching and laboratory work. They have already become rare.
 Similarly, the natural populations of a number of economically
important trees like Pterocarpus santalum, Dysoxylon
malabaricum, Santalum album which yield valuable timber are
fast dwindling.
 In the category of over-exploited plants may also be placed a
number of orchids producing world’s most showy flowers.
Causes of loss of biodiversity
5. Habitat Fragmentation
 Habitat fragmentation may be defined as an “unnatural detaching or separation of
expansive tracts of habitats into spatially segregated fragments” that are too limited to
maintain their different species for an infinite future.
 Habitat fragmentation is one of the most serious causes of erosion of biodiversity.
 Fragmentation leads to artificially created ‘terrestrial islands’. Such fragments
experience microclimatic effects markedly different from those that existed in the large
tracks of habitats before fragmentation.
 Air temperature at the edges of fragments can be significantly higher than that found in
the interior; light can penetrate deep into the edge, thereby affecting the growth of
existing species. Fragmentation promotes the migration and colonization of alien
species. Such substantial and continuous colonization, profoundly affect the survival of
native species.
 The most serious effect of fragmentation is segregation of larger populations of a
species into more than one smaller population. There is considerable evidence that the
number of species in a fragmented habitat will decrease over time, although the
probable rates at which it will happen are variable. In fact, actual data on rain forests
show that forest fragments have lower species richness and fewer populations compared
with continuous undisturbed forests.
 Causes of loss of biodiversity
6. Collection for Zoo and Research
 Animals and plants are collected throughout the world for zoos and biological
laboratories for study and research in science and medicine. For example,
primates such as monkeys and chimpanzees are sacrificed for research as they
have anatomical, genetic and physiological similarities to human beings.

7. Introduction of Exotic Species

 Any species which is not a natural inhabitant of the locality but is deliberately
or accidentally introduced into the system may be designated as an exotic
species. Native species are subjected to competition for food and space due to
the introduction of exotic species.
 There are many instances when introduction of exotic species has caused
extensive damage to natural biotic community of the ecosystem. The
introduction of Nile perch from north in Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest lake,
has driven almost half of the 400 original fish species of the lake to near
extinction.
Causes of loss of biodiversity
8. Pollution
 Pollution alters the natural habitat. Water pollution especially injurious to the
biotic components of estuary and coastal ecosystems. Toxic wastes entering the
water bodies disturb the food chain and so the aquatic ecosystems.
Insecticides, pesticides, sulphur and nitrogen oxides, acid rain, ozone
depletion and global warming too, affect adversely the plant and animal
species.
 The impact of coastal pollution is also very important. It is seen that coral reefs
are being threatened by pollution from industrialization, oil transport and
offshore mining along the coastal areas.
 Noise pollution is also the cause of wildlife extinction. This has been
evidenced by the study by the Canadian Wildlife Protection Fund. According
to a study, Arctic Whales are seen on the verge of extinction as a result of
increasing noise of ships, particularly ice-breakers and tankers.

9. Introduction of Exotic Species

 Predator and pest control measures, generally kill predators that are a
component of balanced ecosystem and may also indiscriminately kill non-
target species.
 Causes of loss of biodiversity
10. Natural Calamities
 Natural calamities, such as floods, draught, forest fires, earth-quakes, volcanic
eruptions, epidemics etc. sometimes take a heavy toll of plant and animal life.
 Floods are frequent in moist tropical regions of the world which inundate
much of the ground vegetation, trap a large number of animals while leading
away soil nutrients.
 Failure of monsoon in succession for two or three years dries up ground
vegetation and as the subsurface water table recedes trees are also affected.
With plant life animals also suffer.
 Forest fires in densely wooded localities often reduce to ashes a large number
of plant and animal species and so do earthquakes.
 Volcanic eruptions may at times completely destroy plant and animal life in its
surrounding areas.
 Epidemics sometimes destroy large portions of a natural population. In nature
such episodes are usually confined to specific plant or animal populations as
the pathogen is often specific to particular species or group of species.
Causes of loss of biodiversity

11. Other Factors

(a) Distribution range—The smaller the range of distribution, the greater the
threat of extinction

(b) Degree of specialization— The more specialized an organism is, the more
vulnerable it is to extinction

(c) Position of the organism in the food chain—The higher the organism in food
chain, the more susceptible it becomes

(d) Reproductive rate—Large organisms tend to produce fewer off springs at

widely intervals.
 Conservation of biodiversity
 Biodiversity is important at every hierarchical level,
genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem
diversity
 Conservation of biodiversity means the protection of
genes, species and their numbers in population
ecosystem or habits. It means the maintenance or
enhancement of biodiversity, particularly the plant
species.
 Conservation of biodiversity means the management
of the biosphere that may yield the greatest
sustainable benefits to present generation, and at the
same time maintain its potential to meet the needs
and aspirations of futuregenerations.
 Conservation of biodiversity
 The variability of life on Earth is called Biodiversity.
Biodiversity takes into account all the living organisms
present on Earth.
 Healthy and good biodiversity indicate a healthy and
good ecosystem. Hence, biodiversity is very important.
A healthy ecosystem also includes the availability of
pure water, pure air, healthy land, good climate, and
availability of nutrients on Earth. Therefore,
biodiversity conservation plays an important role in
the quality of life of all living organisms.
 Methods of Conservation of biodiversity
 Biodiversity conservation refers to the protection,
preservation, and management of ecosystems and natural
habitats and ensuring that they are healthy and functional.
 The three main objectives of Biodiversity Conservation are
as follows:
- To protect and preserve species diversity.
- To ensure sustainable management of the species and
ecosystems.
- Prevention and restoration of ecological processes and life
support systems.
 Methods of Conservation of biodiversity
 Two types of methods are employed to conserve biodiversity.
They are- In situ conservation and Ex-situ conservation.
In-situ conservation
 In Situ Conservation refers to the preservation and protection of the species in
their natural habitat. It means the conservation of genetic resources in natural
populations of plant or animal species.
 In situ conservation involves the management of biodiversity in the same area
where it is found.
 The conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats, and the maintenance
and recovery of viable population of species in their natural surroundings
and, in the case of domesticated or cultivated species, in the surrounding
where they have developed theirdistinctive properties.
 In-situ conservation establishes in small or large protected area. Human
activities like hunting, firewood collection, timber harvesting, etc. are
restricted in these areas to those wild plants and animals which could grow
and multiply in a protected environment.
 Methods of Conservation of biodiversity
In-situ conservation
 In Situ, biodiversity conservation has many advantages:
 It preserves species as well as their natural habitat.
 It ensures protection to a large number of populations.
 It is economic and a convenient method of conservation
 It doesn’t require species to adjust to a new habitat.

Different methods of In-situ conservation include biosphere reserves, national

parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biodiversity hotspots, gene sanctuary, and sacred
groves.
 In-situ conservation
Biosphere Reserve
 These are national governments nominated sites, large areas (often up to 5000
square km) of an ecosystem where traditional lifestyle and natural habitat of
the inhabitants of that ecosystem are protected. They are mostly open to
tourists and researchers.
 Example- Sundarban, Nanda Devi, Nokrek, and Manas in India.

National Parks
 These are limited reserves maintained by the government for the conservation
of wildlife as well as the environment. Human activities are prohibited in
national parks and they are solely dedicated to the protection of natural fauna
of the area. They mostly occupy an area of 100-500 square km.
 There are total 104 national parks in India right now.
 The national parks may even be within a biosphere reserves.
 Example- Kanha National Park, Gir National Park, Kanha National Park, etc.
 In-situ conservation
Wildlife Sanctuaries
 Wildlife Sanctuaries are protected areas meant only for the conservation of
wild animals.
 A few human activities such as cultivation, wood collection, and other forest
product collection are allowed here, but they must not interfere with the
conservation of the animals. Tourist visits are also allowed in these areas.
 There are a total of 551 wildlife sanctuaries in India.
 Example- Ghana Bird Sanctuary, Abohar Wildlife Sanctuary, Mudumalai
Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.

Gene Sanctuary
 Gene sanctuary is a conservation area reserved only for plants.
 India has its only gene sanctuary set up in Garo Hills of Meghalaya for the
conservation of wild species of Citrus. Plans to open more such sanctuaries
are underway.
 In-situ conservation
Sacred Groves
 Sacred Groves are conserved areas for wildlife protected by communities due
to religious beliefs.
 It is mostly a part of the forest where wildlife is given complete protection.
 Ex-situ conservation

 Ex Situ Conservation means conservation of life outside

their natural habitat or place of occurrence.
 It is the method in which part of the population or the
entire endangered species is taken from its natural habitat
which is threatened and breeding and maintaining of these
species take place in artificial ecosystems.
 These artificial ecosystems could be zoos, nurseries,
botanical gardens, etc.
 The living environments are altered in these conservation
sites, so there are fewer survival struggles like scarcity of
food, water, or space.
 Ex-situ conservation

Advantages of Ex Situ Conservation include

 Essential life sustaining conditions like climate, food
availability, veterinary care can be altered and are under
human control.
 Artificial breeding methods can be introduced leading to
successful breeding and creating many more offspring of
the species.
 The species can be protected from poaching and
population management can be efficiently done.
 Gene techniques can be applied to increase the population
of the species and they can again be reintroduced into the
wild
Difference between Ex-situ conservation and In–situ
conservation

 In situ conservation is a cheap method of conserving

biological diversity.
Ex-situ conservation techniques arecostly
 In-situ conservation means conservation of species in its
natural habitats, i.e. in places where the species normally
occurs.
It is not possible to create ideal habitats for plant and
animal species outside their naturalhabitats
 In case of In-situ conservation a large number of
organisms are protected and maintained in theprocess
Ex-situ conservation c an play only a limited role in
biodiversity conservation
Biodiversity conservation strategies

1. Protection of useful animals, plants and their wild relatives

both in their natural habitats (in-situ)and
in Zoological and botanical gardens (ex-situ).
2.Preservation of critical habitats of the plant and animal
species to promote their growth and multiplication.
3. Proper management of life supporting systems of the
wildlife.
4. In the case of hunting, the following system should be
adhered to
 a. The hunter must have alicence.
 b. Hunting of young animals should be prohibited.
 c. Hunting should be banned during the breeding season.
 d. Hunting of threatened species should be banned.
 Biodiversity conservation strategies

5. People should be educated on the wildlife and its

conservation
6.over-exploitation of useful products of wildlife should be
prevented
7. International trade in useful products of wild plants and
animals should beregulated
8. National parks and wildlife sanctuaries should be
setup to safeguard the genetic diversity of species
9. Conservation of ecosystem: It is to make sure that ecological
integrity is intact. The landscapes of the region which have
undergone historical or evolutionary deterioration can be
reinstated. The threats can be removed and the ecosystems
should be able to continue with ecological processes.
 Biodiversity conservation strategies

11. Reverse the decline of species- According to this strategy, the aim
of conservation is to restore the population of declined species in a
particular ecosystem.
12. Conservation of all biological aspects- This strategy aims at
giving cover and conserving food, livestock, microbial population,
agricultural stock including plants and animals.
13. Efficient utilization of natural resources.
14. Strict laws on deforestation and preventions of deforestation by
every means.
15. Poaching and killing animals in the wild should be prevented.
16. Creating public awareness about conservation of biodiversity and
its importance.
 Need for Biodiversity conservation
• Various types of conservation methods ensure a healthy ecosystem.
A healthy ecosystem means a clean and healthy environment,
smooth running food chains, availability of resources, and so on.
• Human beings are also majorly dependent on the environment for
basic necessities and well being. We are interdependent on a variety
of species of plants and animals for living.
• Hence it is very important to conserve these species and their
ecosystems which are threatened by many human activities.
• A threat to biodiversity poses a threat to humankind. It can be the
cause of various grave problems like pollution, habitat loss, resource
exploitation, climate change, species extinction, disease outbreak,
and so on.
• For economic and various life support reasons, it is very important to
protect and preserve biodiversity.
 Hot spots of Biodiversity
 There are certain areas in the world which exhibit endowed high
species richness as well as high endemic species. But these are
threatened by human activities and so are at serious risk of
extinction. Such areas are called as hot spots of biodiversity.
Importance of hot spots of biodiversity
 Hot spots of biodiversity have provided the valuable gene pool
on which modern agriculture, horticulture, sericulture,
pisiculture, poultry, dairying and piggery depend.
 Hot spots in India
Out of the 25 hot spots of biodiversity present in the world, two
hot spots are present in India. Those two hot spots in India are
the Eastern Himalayas and the Western Ghats.
 Hot spots of Biodiversity in the World

 There are 36 hot spots of biodiversity in the world.

These hot spots, covering less than 2% of the world's
land area, have about 50% of the terrestrialbiodiversity
 About 40% of terrestrial plants and 25% of vertebrate
species are endemic and are found in the se hot spots.
 Endemic plants are largely found in tropical rain
forests
 The second highest number of endemic plant species is
found in the Mediterranean regions.
 Biodiversity conservation strategies
Red Data Book
 The International Union for Conservation of Nature
and Natural Resources (IUCN) publishes the Red Data
Book which includes the list of endangered species of
plants and animals.
 In India, nearly 450 plant species have been identified
in the categories of endangered, threatened or rare
 The Zoological Survey of India reported that Cheetah,
Pink headed duck and mountain quail have already
become extinct from India.
 Extinct species :A species is said to be extinct when it
is not seen in the world for 50 years at a stretch e.g.
Dodo, passenger pigeon.
Biodiversity conservation strategies
 Endangered species : A species is said to be
endangered when its number has been reduced to a
critical level or whose habitats, have been drastically
reduced and if such a species is not protected and
conserved, it is in immediate danger ofextinction.
Ex : Giant panda,Peacock,Snow leopard
 Vulnerable species: A species is said to be in
vulnerable category if its population is facing
continuous decline due to overexploitation or habitat
destruction. Ex: Cheetah,lion
 Rare species : Species which are not endangered or
vulnerable at present, but are at a risk are categorized
as rare species. Ex: Barasingha,Gaur
 Endemic species
Endemic species are species of organisms which are
restricted to a particular area.Or
These are species which exist only in certain conditions
that are present in a definite area.
Ex: 60% amphibians (frog,toads etc) and 50% lizards are
endemic to western Ghats
Biodiversity conservation strategies
 A National Park is an area dedicated for the
conservation of wildlife along with its environment. It
is also meant for enjoyment through tourism but
without impairing the environment.
Name of National park State Name of wild
animal
1. Kaziranga Assam One horned Rhino
2. Gir National Park Gujarat Indian Lion
3. Corbett U.P. Tiger
4. Bandipur Karnataka Elephant
 Wildlife sanctuaries are also protected areas where
killing, hunting, shooting or capturing of wildlife is
prohibited except under the control of highest
authority.
Extinct animals

Elephant

DODO
Rare animals

Bada singha

Gaur
Endangered animals

Giant panda
Peacock
Vulnerable animals

Cheetah
Lion
 Steps taken by Indian Government to protect
Biodiversity
 India is one of the 17 mega diversities in the world and is home to
7.6% of all mammal, 12.6% of bird, 6.2% of reptile, and 6.0% of
flowering plant species.
 The country also has some of the most biodiverse regions on the
planet and it comprises of four of 36 biodiversity hotspots of the
world like the Western Ghats, the Eastern Himalayas, Indo-
Burma and Nicobar Islands in Sundaland.
 So far, the country’s wildlife is preserved in 120+ national parks,
515 wildlife sanctuaries, 26 wetlands, and 18 Bio-Reserves, out of
which 10 are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
 Evidently, this large biodiverse land needs protection, and
inarguably conservation is a mandatory measure.
 Steps taken by Indian Government to protect
Biodiversity
 Keeping in view the recent human encroachment, the Indian
Government did take effective initiatives to conserve wildlife in
the country, and amongst it, most commendable initiatives is the
Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which prohibits trade of rare and
endangered species.
 However, this is not the only laudatory measure taken by the
Government of India (GOI), there is so much more that needs to
be told about the schemes and projects that have helped the
country maintain its rich wildlife.
 Project Tiger

 One of the most successful wildlife conservation ventures 'Project

Tiger' which was initiated way back in 1972, has not only contributed to
the conservation of tigers but also of the entire ecosystem.
 This project is sponsored by Ministry of Environment Forest and
Climate Change.
 About 47 tiger reserves situated in more than 17 regions including
Corbett National Park and Ranthambore National Park are part of this
project which conducts assessments of number of tigers, their habitat,
hunting habits under the supervision of the Tiger Task Force.
 Project Tiger has seen significant success in recovery of the habitat and
increase in the population of the tigers in the reserve areas, from a
scanty 268 in 9 reserves in 1972 to above 1000 in 28 reserves in 2006 to
2000+ tigers in 2016.
 Project Elephant

 Initiated in 1992 by the Government of India Project Elephant

aims at conserving elephants and their habitat and of migratory
routes by developing scientific and planned management
measures.
 Under the project welfare of the domestic elephants is also
considered, issues like mitigation of human-elephant conflict are
also taken care of.
 The project’s endeavour is to strengthen the measures for
protection of elephants against poachers and unnatural death.
 Crocodile Conservation Project
 This project is yet another successful venture by Government of
India to conserve the Indian Crocodiles, whose species were on
the verge of extinction once.
 The project also contributes towards the conservation in a
plethora of related fields.
 The main objectives of the crocodile project is to protect the
remaining population of crocodiles and their natural habitat by
establishing sanctuaries; to promote captive breeding; to
improve management; and to involve the local people in the
project intimately.
 It is worth noticing that with the initiation of Crocodile
Conservation Project, 4000 gharial/aligator, 1800
mugger/crocodile and 1500 saltwater crocodiles could be
restocked.
 UNDP Sea Turtle Project

 With an objective to conserve the Olive Ridley Turtles, the UNDP

Sea Turtle Project was initiated by Wildlife Institute of India,
Dehradun as the Implementing Agency in November 1999.
 The project is for 10 coastal state in India especially Odisha where
it has contributed towards the preparation of a map of breeding
sites of Sea Turtles; identification of breeding places and habitats
along the coast line, and migratory routes taken by Sea Turtles.
 The project also helped in the development of guidelines to
safeguard the turtle mortality rate and for tourism in sea turtle
areas.
 Amongst the major achievements of the project is the
demonstration of use of Satellite Telemetry to locate the
migratory route of sea turtles in the sea.
 Steps Taken By Indian Government to Protect
Biodiversity
Along with above specified conversartion projects of the wild animals, GOI
has also initiated few schemes that are worked upon to protect the
biodiversity and minimize the mortality of critically endangered,
endangered and threatened animals. Here are few important steps that
Government of India has taken for the wildlife protection:
 In the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, GOI created Protected Areas like
National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community
Reserves for the wildlife and imposed punishments on those indulged in
illegal act of hunting.
 Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 have been drafted
to protect of wetlands in India. The Central Government has also
initiated the scheme, National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-
System that lends assistance to the states for the sound management of
all wetlands.
 In order to curb the illegal trade of wildlife and that of endangered
species, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been established.
 Steps Taken By Indian Government to Protect
Biodiversity
 Special organizations like Wildlife Institute of India, Bombay Natural
History society and Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural
History are formed to conduct research on conservation of wildlife.
 To check the dwindling population of Gyps vulture in India,
Government of India has banned the veterinary use of diclofenac drug.
 For restocking of the endangered species, the Central Government first
initiated Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat Scheme and later
modified it by including a new component, Recovery of Endangered
Species which included animals like Hangul/stag deer in Jammu &
Kashmir, Vultures in Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat, Snow Leopard in
Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Arunachal
Pradesh, Swiftlet in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil
Nadu, Sangai Deer in Manipur. Financial and technical assistance is also
extended to the state government to provide better means of protection
and conservation for the specified species.
 Steps Taken By Indian Government to Protect
Biodiversity
 The State Governments have been asked to strengthen the field
formations and increase patrolling in and around the Protected Areas.
 GOI intensified anti-poaching activities and initiated special patrolling
strategy for monsoon season. Also, deployment of anti-poaching squad.
 In order to strengthen tiger conservation, National Tiger Conservation
Authority is constituted by Government of India.
 Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) has also been constituted and is
deployed in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Odisha.
 E-Surveillance has been started in Kaziranga National Park in Assam
and borders of Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
 Important Environment and Biodiversity Acts
Passed by Indian Government
 Fisheries Act 1897
 Indian Forests Act 1927
 Mining And Mineral Development Regulation Act 1957
 Prevention of Cruelty To Animals 1960
 Wildlife Protection Act 1972
 Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974
 Forest Conservation Act 1980
 Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981
 Environment Protection Act 1986
 Biological Diversity Act 2002
 Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Rights) Act 2006
 Important Environment and Biodiversity Acts
Passed by Indian Government
 Not only this, there are a few International schemes and
projects that India has signed drafted with its neighbours, Nepal
and Bangladesh related to illegal wildlife species trade and
conservation of tigers and leopards.
 Apart from this, there are plenty of other legal, administrative and
financial steps that Government of India has taken for effective
wildlife conservation in the country.
 And apparently the success of its some projects and schemes
related to Indian Rhinos, tigers and poaching have earned it
immense confidence to continue working towards a prosperous
and intact wildlife.