Environmental Studies: Understanding Biodiversity

Environmental Studies
84
which in turn feed

on ood
plants. At every stage ofthis food chain,
cH
Carnivores feed on herbivores to another

transferred and lost from
one living organism
energy is a food
iction of.
web. Loss or extinction of species
chains together form
All the interlinked food
broken down.
implies that a food web has of forests, grassland.
natural state are found
in different types
Biodiversity
s,
Terrestrial ecosystems in their these ecosystems have hes.
thousands of years,
deserts and sea-coasts. Over een
semi-arid areas, agricultural ecosysteme
converted into intensively irrigated stems
modified for human use and
and urban industrial centres.
environments of the seas and freshwater svstem.
the marine
Aquatic ecosystems comprise
in lakes, rivers, ponds and wetlands.
of environmental cycles and population pressure
Land use changes, habitat loss, disruption
are some of thedriving forces of ecosystem degradation.
services essential to human life. Therefore, it is
Ecosystems provide a range of goods and Let's understand
natural ecosystems and its resources.
crucial that we protect and conserve our
About genetic, species and ecosystem
The biogeographic classification
diversity
of India
The value of biodiversity
Questions About biodiversity at the global, national and local levels
Which the hotspots of biodiversity are
1. Define an ecosystem. What the threats to biodiversity
are-habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflicts
The endangered and endemic species of
2. Describe at least five ecosystem goods and services that humans benefit from. India
About in situ and ex situ conservation of
3. Name all the cycles that constitute the proper functioning of an ecosystem. biodiversity
4. Describe the water cycle.
5.
Describeany two ecosystems in India. What are the current threats to forest ecosystems
forest
and how can they be conserved? 4.1 INTRoDUCTION
6. Name the types of grasslands in India and two animal
species found in these grasslands. The great variety of life on earth has provided for the needs of human beings over thousands
7. Describe any two aquatic ecosystems in terms of their structure and function. of years. This diversity of living creatures forms a support system used by each civilisation for
8. What are the main threats its growth and development. Those that used this bounty of nature carefully and sustainably
to aquatic ecosystems, and how can we protect them?
survived, while those that overused or misused it disintegrated.
Science has attempted to classify and categorise variations in nature for over a century.
This has led to an understanding of its organisation into communities of plants and
animals. This information has helped the earth's biological wealthfor the benefit of
us utilise
to the process of development. This includes better health-
humanity and has been integral
care, better crops and the use of these life forms as raw materials for industrial growth,
which has led to a higher standard of living for the developed world. However, this has
also produced the modern consumerist society, which adversely affects the diversity of
of life on earth is so great that
biological resources upon which it is based. The diversity
new products for many generations. This
if we use it
sustainably we can go developing
on
resource and prevent the extinction
can only happen if we manage biodiversity as a precious
of species.
Environnmental Studies
86
Biodiversity 87
the differences in
Definition of nature which
includes n
ge 4.1.3 Ecosystem Diversity
or biodiversity
is that part the plant and animal s
richness of all
Biological diversity
individuals of a species;
variety and
the and the world; and the :
species A large variety of ecosystems exist
earth, each with
on
among the in a region, in
the country types of interlinked species based on differences in the habitat. their own complement of
distinctive
at different scales in space-locally,
within a defined
area.
a
Ecosystem diversity can be
specific geographical region political entity such asa country, state or taluka.
or
described for
both terrestrial and aquatic,
a
ecosystems,
ecosystems include landscapes like forests, grasslands, deserts
a a
and mountains well as

Distinctive
ecosystems like rivers, lakes and seas.
Each region also has
as
aquatic
What is biodiversity? natures variety biosphere. This vari.
in the farmland or grazing pastures. areas modified by humans such as
with the degree of
within a species; the variety of sDeci
deals
Biological diversity variability An ecosystem is referred to as 'natural' when it
be observed at three levels-the genetic into distinctive plant and animal
is
relatively undisturbed by human activities
can
of species in an area or 'modified when it is converted to other of uses, such as farmland or urban
within a community; and the organisation types areas.
Ecosystems are most natural in the wilderness. If natural
communities.
their productivity eventually decreases and ecosystems are overused or misused,
they are then said to be degraded.
4.1.1 Genetic Diversity Evolution and the Genesis of Biodiversity
differs widely from other individuals in its genetic The origins of life earth some three-and-a-half billion
Each member of any animal or plant species
on
years ago obscure. Life
are
probably
was
number of combinations possible in the genes that give everv initiated product of organic reactions in the earth's primordial seas. Alternative possibilities
as a
makeup, owing to the large each human being is different from another
individual its specific characteristics. For example, such life beginning in muddy ooze, of life having been seeded from outer
as or
of a species. If the space have also
This genetic variability is essential for a healthy breeding population been suggested. Once life took hold the planet, it began to
on
gradually diversify. Unicellular
the dissimilarity of genetic makeup is reduced and unspecialised forms gradually evolved into complex multicellular plants and animals. Evolution
number of breeding individuals is reduced,
anomalies and eventually to the extinction of that is related to the ability of living organisms to
in-breeding occurs. This leads to genetic adapt to changes in their environment. Thus, the
from which our crops
particular species. The diversity in wild species forms the gene pool' abiotic changes in nature, such as climatic and atmospheric upheavals, repeated glaciations,
and domestic animals have been developed over thousands of years. Today, the variety of continental drift and the formation of geographical barriers, segregated different communities of
nature's bounty is being further exploited by using wild relatives to create new varieties of plants and animals and gradually led to the formation of new species over millions of years.
more productive,
disease-resistant crops and to superior
breed domestic animals. Modernof Most species appear to a
have life
span extendingg over several million years. Their
biotechnology also manipulates genes to develop better types of medicines and a variety adaptability to gradual changes in their habitat and interactions with newly-formed species
industrial products. produced groups of interlinked organisms that continue to evolve together. Food chains, prey-
predator relationships, parasitism (complete dependence on another species) and symbiosis
4.1.2 Species Diversity (a partnership beneficial to both species) are some important examples. The behavioural patterns
of the different species comprising a community of species link them to each other through
The number ofí species of plants and animals present in a region constitutes its species diversity their breeding biology, feeding patterns and migrations. As ancient species became extinct due
This diversity is seen both in natural ecosystems and in agricultural ecosystems. Some areas to geological upheavals, they left behind empty 'niches' in the habitat that stimulated existing
are richer in
species than others. For example, natural undisturbed tropical forests have much species to fill them through the formation of new species. The earth's ancient history has seen
greater richness of species than monoculture
for timber production. A natural forest
plantations developed by the Forest Department periods of mega-extinctions, which have been followed by period formation of new species.
ecosystem provides a large number of non-timber forest these led a drastic reduction in the number of species, the diversity of life
Though repeatedly to
products (NTFPs) that local people depend on, such as fruit, fuelwood, fodder, fibre, recuperated each time by gradually increasing the number ot species existing
on earth. This,
resin and medicines. Timber gum,
plantations do not provide the large variety of goods essential to however, took millions of years, as evolution is a very slow process. Thus, when humans appeared
local consumption. In the
long term, the economic sustainable returns from NTFPs is said to
be greater than the returns from on the scene about 2 million years ago, the earth was richer in species than ever before. During the
felling a forest for its timber. Thus, the commercial value humans have begun to take
recent past, however, extinctions caused by the activities of modern
natural forest, with all its
species richness, is much o is losing species at a faster rate than ever before.
greater than a plantation. Modern intensiv place at an unprecedented rate. The earth now
agricultural ecosystems have relatively lower diversity
a
of crops than traditional The diversity of life at all three organisational levels
-
genetic. species and ecosystem is now

-
farming systems, where multiple crops were agro-pasto This will result in great loss to future generations.
At planted.
present, conservation scientists have been being rapidly modified by modern humans.
able to identify and categorise about 1.8
species on earth. However, this is only a fraction mil
being identified, especially among of what really exists. Many new species are
4.2 BioGEOGRAPHIC CLAssIFICATION OF INDIA
diversity called hotspots of
are
flowering plants and insects. Areas that are rich in
sp on the geography, climate,
diversity. India ten major regions, based
exceptionally rich in species diversity. is among the world's 15 nations ire Lndia can be conveniently divided into
tha pattern of vegetation and the communities
ot mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects
88 Environmental Studies
Biodiversity 89
(iv) The Gangetic and Brahmaputra plains

2 5 0 km
Scale (vThe Thar desert of Rajasthan
(vi) The semi-arid grassland region of the Deccan plateau, Gujarat,
Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Maharashtra, Andhra
(vii) The Northeastern states of India
(vii) The Western ghats in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala
(ix) The Andaman and Nicobar islands
(x)The long western and eastern coastal belts with sandy beaches, forests and mangroves
4.3 VaLUE OF BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity provides variety of environmental services from its

a
are essential at the global, regional and local levels. The species and ecosystems that
carbon dioxide, maintenance of the water cycle and
production of oxygen, reduction of
TropicofCance
services.
protection of the soil are some important
IND Biological diversity is also essential for

preserving ecological processes, such as fixing
and re cling of nutrients, soil formation, circulation and cleansing of air ánd water, global life
BAY
support (plants absorb CO, and give out O,), maintaining the water balance within ecosystems,
OF watershed protection, maintaining stream and river flows throughout the
year, erosion control
BENGAL and local flood reduction.
Trans-Himalayan Food, clothing, housing, energy and medicines are all resources that are directly or
indirectly linked to the biological variety present in the biosphere. This is most obvious in the
ARABIAN Himalaya
who directly gather resources from the forest or fisherfolk who
SEA
I Gangetic Plains case of tribal communities
catch fish in marine or freshwater ecosystems. For others, such as agricultural communities
The North EasternZone
biodiversity is used to grow crops to suit the environment. Urban communities generally
Desert
use the greatest amount of goods and services, which are all indirectly drawn from natural
Semi-Arid Zone
Westen Ghats ecosystems.
It has become obvious that the preservation of biological resources is essential for the
Deccan Peninsula
The Coast well-being and the long-term survival of humans. This diversity of living organisms, which
Islands is present in the wilderness as well as in crops and livestock, plays a major role in human
INDIAN OCEA N development. The of biodiversity is, therefore, integral to any strategy that aims at
preservation
Fig. 4.1 Biogeographic classification of India improving the quality of human life.
and other invertebrates that live in them.

Each of these 4.3.1 Consumptive Use Value
such forests, regions contains variety of ecosystems
a
as
grasslands, lakes, rivers, wetlands, mountains and hills which have Astraightforward example is the direct utilisation
of timber, food, fuelwood and fodder by
plant and animal species. specinc
local communities.
dwellers with their daily
India's Biogeographic Zones The biodiversity contained in the ecosystem provides forest
medicines and a variety of other products. They know
i) The cold, mountainous, snow-covered needs, food, building material, fodder, of trees and collect a
large number
trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh from different species
i) The Himalayan ranges and tne qualities and different uses of wood that use as tood, construction material and
and other Northeastern valleys of Kashmir, Himachal
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam of local fruits, roots and plant material they
states on fish and know
where and how to catch fish
(ii) The Terai, the lowland medicines. Fisherfolk are completely dependent
where the
Himalayan rivers flow into the plains and other edible aquatic animals and plants.
90
Environmental Studies Biodiversity 91
Table 4.1 Commonly used modern

drugs derived from plant sources
Web of Life Plant source
Man and the Drug Use
of the lives of the people who Atropine Belladonna
influences every aspect
The biodiversity of a region on the type of ecosystem. Even
Anticholinergic; reduces intestinal pain in
diarrhoea
and livelihoods depend
inhabit it. Their living space services provided by
Pineapple
on the ecological
Bromelain
areas are dependent
Controls tissue inflammation due to infection
people living in urban this in everyday life, as it is not Caffeine Tea, coffee
We frequently do not
see
Stimulant of the central nervous system
the wilderness in the PAs. that nature provides. The
it is linked with every
service Camphor Camphor tree Rubefacient; increases local blood supply
necessarily obvious. However, soil on which our food grows
the air we breathe, the Cocaine Cocoa
quality of water we drink and use, both plant and animal, and the
Analgesic and local anesthetic; reduces and prevents
are all influenced by a
wide variety of living organisms, pain during surgery
in nature. Opium poPPY
each species is linked with
Codeine Analgesic; reduces pain
ecosystem with which dioxide and releases the oxygen
life carbon Opium poppPY
While it is well-known that plant
removes
Morphine Analgesic; controls paín
that fungi, small soil invertebrates and
that we require to breathe, it is less obvious Colchicine Autumn crocus Anti-cancer agent
even microbes are essential for plants
to grow. Links such as that of a natural forest Digitoxin C Common foxglove
Cardiac stimulant used in heart diseases
which maintains water in the river after the monsoon,
or of ants playing a crucial role Wild yams
Diosgenin Source of female contraceptive; prevents pregnancY
in transferring nutrients to the soil, are to be appreciated in order to understand how
L-Dopa Velvet bean Controls Parkinson's disease, which leads to jerky
life earth.
completely dependent on the living 'web of
on
we are movements of the hands
The wilderness is an outcome of a process that has created an
long evolutionary Smut-of-rye or ergot Control of hemorrhage and migraine headaches
Ergotamine
of
unimaginably large diversity living species and the various ecosystems on earth in Glaziovine Ocotea glaziovii Antidepressant
which all creatures live. This includes humans as well. Think about this and we cannot
but want to protect our earth's unique biodiversity! Gossypol Cotton Male contraceptive
Indicine N-oxide Heliotropium indicum Anti-cancer agent
Menthol Mint Rubefacient; increases local blood supply and
reduces pain on local application
4.3.2 Productive Use Value Cotolaria sessilijflora Anti-cancer agent
Monocrotaline
This category comprises marketable goods. The biotechnologist uses bio-rich areas to prospect Dissolves excess protein and mucus, during
Papain Papaya
and search for potential genetic properties in plants or animals that can be used to develop digestion
General antibiotic, kills bacteria and controls
better varieties ofcrops for use in farming and plantation programmes or to develop better Penicillin Penicillium fungi
infection by various microorganismns
livestock. To the pharmacist, biological diversity is the raw material from which new drugs
can
be identified from plant or animal products. To industrialists, is a rich storehouse Yellow cinchona Antimalarial
from which to develop new products. For the

biodiversity Quinine Reduces high blood pressure
agricultural scientist, the biodiversity in the wild Reserpine Indian snakeroot
relatives of crop plants is the basis for developing better Thorn apple Sedative
crops. Scopolamine
Genetic diversity enables scientists and farmers to Anti-cancer (ovarian)
domestic animals through careful
selectively develop better crops and Taxol Pacifcyew
breeding programs. Earlier, this was done by selecting or
Vinblastine Rosy periwinkle
Anti-cancer agent; controls cancer in children
pollinating crops artificially to obtain a more productive or disease-resistant strain. Today, it is
increasingly being done by genetic engineering-selecting genes from one plant and Vinca rosea(Sadaphali) Anti-cancer agent; controls cancerin children
introducing Vincristine association with Hanard University Press. 1993
them into another. New crop varieties of Life, Norton Paperback, In
found in wild relatives of crop
(cultivars) are being developed using the genetic matera ource: E OWilson, The Diversity
Even today, new

plants through biotechnology.
species of plants and animals are being
These wild species are the constantly discovered in the wild. 4.3.3 Social Values
building blocks for the betterment of human life and their loss by traditional
societies that valued it as a
great economic loss. Among the known 15 a
B1odiversity has, great extent,

to a
preserved
been
their society. Thus, apart
their value in terms of food or their species, only a tiny fraction has been investigated for depletion would be a great loss to
that its
A variety of industries
medicinal or industrial
potential. resource and appreciated of biodiversity, the
social aspect must also be considered.
such as
pharmaceuticals,
compounds of great economic value from the wide
are
highly dependent on identifying Trom the local use or sale of products
animals are considered
sacred in India and are worshipped. For
and
variety of wild species of plants located in For
example, many plants
undisturbed natural forests. This is called snake and others.
biological prospecting. CXample, Tulsi, peepal, cow,
Environmental Studies 93
92 Biodiversity
Values should form common property resource' to be shared by all

a
4.3.4 Ethical and Moral there is no reason to

conservation are based
on the importance of protectino exclude oil or uranium or even intellectual and technologicalnations, as global assets.
Ethical values related to biodiversity India's sovereignty over its biological diversity cannot be expertise
that all forms of life have the right t
all forms of life. Most religious and
secular creeds believe
of species. We do n change in world compromised
thinking about sharing of all types of natural
without revolutionary
a
a small part of
the earths great diversity resources.
exist on earth. Humans are only Some of the countries with
have the
the universe. Do we right to destro. higher biodiversities than India are located in South
know if life as we know it exists anywhere else in oy Such Brazil and Southeast Asian countries such as
as America,
life forms or do we have a duty to protect
them? Malaysia and Indonesia. The species found
there are several cultural in these countries, however, are different from our
own. This makes it
Apart from the economic importance
of conserving biodiversity,
The Indian civilisation
imperative to preserve
our own biodiversity as a major economic resource. While few of the other
all forms of lite.
moral and ethical values associated with the sanctity
of
This has been an
'mega-diversity
nations' have developed the technology to exploit their species for biotechnology
nature through local traditions. and genetic
has, over several generations, preserved engineering, India is capable of doing so.
of of our cultures. We have in our country a
important part of the ancient philosophy many Throughout the world, the value of biologically-rich natural areas is now being increasingly
tribal people in several states. These
large number of sacred groves or 'devrais' preserved by appreciated being of unimaginable value. International agreements, like the World Heritage
as
around ancient sacred sites and temples act as gene banks for wild plants.
sacred groves
Convention, attempt to protect and support such areas. India is signatory to the
a
convention
and has included several protected areas as world heritage sites. These include Manas on the
4.3.5 Aesthetic Value
border between Bhutan and India, Kaziranga in Assam, Bharatpur in UP, Nandadevi in the
The appreciation of the presence of biodiversity for its inherent value and beauty, as well as Himalayas and the Sunderbans in the Ganges delta in West Bengal.
for the contribution it makes to our knowledge our aesthetics, imagination and creativity - India has also signed the Convention in the Trade of Endangered
is another reason to preserve it. Quite apart from killing wildlife for food, it is important as a Species (CITES), which
is intended to reduce the utilisation of endangered plants and animals by controlling trade in
tourist attraction. Biodiversity is a beautiful and wonderful aspect of nature. Sit in a forest and their products and in the pet trade.
listen to the birds. Watch a spider weave its complex web. Observe a fish feeding. It is magnificent The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), the nodal
and fascinating. agency for implementing
provisions of CBD in India, developed a strategy for biodiversity conservation at the macro-level
In India, particularly, history and culture is
replete with plant and animal imagery. Symbols in 1999 and got the Biological Diversity Act enacted in 2002 followed by the rules thereunder
from wild species such as the lion of Hinduism, the
elephant of Buddhism and deities such in 2004. Considering the need to develop and implement a suitable national action plan for
as Lord Ganesh and the vehicles of several
deities that are animals have been venerated for promoting biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing
thousands of years. The sage Valmiki
begins his epic story with a couplet on the unfortunate of benefits arising from such use the National Biodiversity Action Plan was formulated in 2007.
killing of a crane by a hunter. The holy basil or Tulsi has been grown in the
households for centuries.
ofcourtyards
4.3.6 Option Value 4.5 INDIA AS A MEGA-DiVERSITY NATION
Geological events in the landmass of India have provided conditions for high levels of biological
Keeping future possibilities open for their use is called
the option value. It is
predict which of our species or traditional varieties of impossible to
and domestic animals will be of
diversity. A split in the single giant continent around 70 million years ago led to the formation
crops of northern and southern continents, with India as part of Gondwanaland-the
greatest use in the future. To continue to improve cultivars and
domestic livestock, we need to
southern
landmass, together with Africa, Australia and the Antaretic. Later, tectonic movements shifted
return to wild relatives of
crop plants and animals. Thus, the
also include
traditionally used strains already in existence in preservation of biodiversity must
crops and domestic animals.
India northward across the equator to join the Northern Eurasiancontinent. As the intervening
shallow Tethys sea dried up, plants and animals that had evolved bothin Europe and in the Far
East migrated into India before the Himalayas had formed. A final influx came from Africa
4.4 BioDIVERSITY AT GLOBAL, NATIONAL AND
LocAL LEvELS with Ethiopian species, which were adapted to the savannas and semi-arid regions. Thus, India's
There are at present 1.8 million Special geographical position or 'niche' between three distinctive centres of biological evolution
known species that have been
world. However, documented by scientists in our rich and varied biodiversity.
they have estimated that the
could vary from 1.5 to 20 number of species of plants and animals on the and radiation of species is responsible foris in the
billion! This means that the eartn Among the bio-rich nations, India top 10 or 15 countries tor its great variety of
Most of the world's
bio-rich nations are in the majority of species are
yet to be discovered: plants and animals, many of which are not
found elsewhere. India has 350 different mammals
nations. In contrast, the south; in other words, they are the birds (eighth in the world), 453 species of
developin8 in the world), 1,200 species of
northern nations, in the majority of the countries capable of
rated the eighth highest angiosperms (fifteenth
levels of economically developed world. Theseexploiting biodiversity are tne reptiles (fifth in the world) and 45,000 plant species,
most of which are
biodiversity. Thus, after centuries of

to realise that
nations, however, have lower
n the world). These include especially high speciesofdiversity
of ferns (1022 species) and orchids
biodiversity must be exploitation, the developed world has insects, including 13,000 butterflies and
considered as a
global come 082 species). India has 50,000 known species
resource. However, if biodiversiy oths. It is estimated that the number of unknown species could be several times higher.
94 Biodiversity 95
status
Table 4.2 India's biodiversity
Number of species
in India
India's world ranking
Species 350
Mammals 8
1200
Birds 453
5
Reptiles 182
Amphibians 15
14,500
Angiosperms 15-20
are endemic to
the country and found nowhera
It is estimated that 18% of Indian plants
have a much higher degree ofendemism
else. Among the plant species, the flowering plants
elsewhere in the world. Among amphibians
tound in India
a third of these are not found
of lizards recorded, 50% are endemic. Hioh
62% are unique to this country. Of the 153 species
marine worms, centipedes.
endemism has also been recorded for various groups of insects,
mayflies and freshwater sponges **
and animals, there is also a great

Apart from the high biodiversity in Indian wild plants
of cultivated and breeds of domestic livestock. This is a result of several thousand
diversity crops
years during which civilisations have grown and flourished in the Indian subcontinent. The
traditional cultivars included 30,000 to 50,000 varieties of rice and a number of cereals, vegetables
and fruit. The highest diversity of cultivars is concentrated in the high-rainfall areas of the
Western ghats, Eastern ghats, Northern Himalayas and the Northeastern hills.
Gene banks have collected over 34,000 cereals and 22,000 pulses grown in India. India
has27 indigenous breeds of cattle, 40 breeds of sheep, 22 breeds of goats and 8 breeds of
buffaloes. Many of these today have died out or are dying out due to our
misguided adoption
of all things foreign-Jerseys and Holsteins have
largely replaced Indian cattle like the Brahma
bull, high-yielding cultivars have eaten away into centuries-old landraces of
crops, cash crops
have replaced food crops,
eucalyptus and wattle plantations have replaced the mixed shola
forests. The Indian landscape is
slowly beginning to lose its individuality and resemble any
other scenery in the world.
ZN
4.6 HoTSPOTS OF BIoDIVERSITY
R
The earth's
biodiversity is distributed in specific ecological regions. There are over a
major eco-regions in the world. Of these, 200 are said to be thousand
natural areas. These areas are referred the richest, rarest and most distinctive
to as the 'Global
It has been estimated that 200
50,000 endemic plants, which
JH
probably occur in only 18 hotspots in the world. Countries comprise 20% of global plant lire,
proportion of these biodiversity hotspots are referred to as which have a relatively large
species is taking placemega-diversity
The rate at which the nations.
extinction of
obscure. It is
likely to be extremely high, throughout our country remal
globally-accepted national
as our
wilderness areas are
shrinking rapidly. ou
in the forests of the hotspotswhich are included in
Northeast and the Western
extremely rich in species and many
subspecies
Among the endemic species, that is, those
the
of different
world's most bio-rich
ghats. The Andaman and Nicobar areas a
animals and birds have
islanas ai iil
species found only in India, a evolveure DENKII
large proportiona V
96 Biodiversity 97
Global species diversity

wn farming, which has led to a
decrease
sh. Wetlands in the habitat
drained to increase agriculturalessential
Table 4.3 have deen
Number of described species for the breeding of marine
economic impications in the longer term land. These changes have
Group 4,760
The current destruction of the
grave
Bacteria and blue-green algae
46,983 remaining
diverse tropical forests and coral reefs, is large areas of wilderness habitats, especially in the
the
Fungi 26,900 Scientists have estimated that human activitiesmost
Scienti palpable threat worldwide to biodiversity.
Algae 17,000 (WCMC, 1988)
species by the year 2050.
are
likely to eliminate approximately 10 million
and liverworts)
Bryophytes (mosses 750 (Reven et al, 1986) As mentioned earlier, there are about
1.8 million
oymnosperms (conifers)
250,000 (Reven et al., 1986) ience in the world at present. The number of species of plants and animals known to
Angiosperms (Flowering plants) af at least 10. Plants and insects as well species, however, is likely to be greater by a
30,800 as other forms
of factor
life not known till date are continually
Protozoans heing identified in the
worlds hotspots of
about 25% of the worlds species will diversity.
5,000
ponges Unfortunately,
at the
present rate of extinction,
Corals and jellyfish
9,000
rate of undergo
10,000-20,000 species per year, at a rate extinction fairly rapidly. This
may occur at the
Roundworms and earthworms
24,000
natural rate! Human actions could well 1000-10,0000 times faster than the expected
exterminate 25% of the world's within
38,000 twenty thirty years. Much of this
or species the next
industrialisation and changes in landmega-extinction
Crustaceans
related to human
is
Insects
751,000 use
patterns. A major part of these
population growth,
132,461 course, occur in bio-rich areas such as extinctions will, of
Other arthropods and minor invertebrates
due
tropical forests, wetlands and coral reefs. The loss of wild
Molluscs 50,000 habitats, to rapid human population growth and short-term economic
contributor to the rapid global destruction of development, is the
Starfish 6,100 biodiversity.
Fishes (teleosts) 19,056
Amphibians 4,184 CASE STUDY1
Reptiles 6,300 Project Tiger
Birds 9,198 (Clements, 1981) Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India with the
of WWF-International in 1973 and was support
Mammals 4,170 (Honacki et al., 1982) the first such initiative aimed at
protecting this key species and all its habitats. Project Tiger was initiated
Total
1,435,662 species in nine tiger reserves in ditferent
ecosystems of the country, covering an
Source: Conserving the World's Biological Diversity, WRI, IUCN, CI, WWF-US, World Bank area of 16,339 sq. km.
By 2001, the number of tiger reserves increased
to 27, covering an area of
37,761 sq. km. The tiger count climbed from 268 in 1972
in the 9 tiger
reserves, to around 1500 in 1997 in the 23 tiger reserves. Project Tiger
concentrated in these three areas.
2200 species of flowering plants and 120
The Andaman and Nicobar islands alone have as many as recognised the fact that tigers cannot be protected in isolation and that to protect the
species of ferns. Out of 135 genera of land mammals
in India, 85 (63%) are found in the Northeast. The
Northeastern states also have 1,500 endemic figer, its habitat needs to be protected. However, Project Tiger's success was damaged
by a new threat of poaching. Tiger numbers again began to decline. The sudden
plant species. A major proportion of amphibian and reptile species, especially snakes, are
concentrated in the Western ghats, which is also a habitat for disappearance of the tigers from the Sariska wildlife reserve exposed a whole network
1,500 endemic plant species. of
illegal poachers taking tigers out of India for Chinese markets.
Coral reefs in Indian waters surround the
Andaman and Nicobar islands, the
islands and the gulf areas of Lakshadweep
Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. They are nearly as rich in species iger Tosk Force: In 2005, the Prime Minister of India took direct action to protect
as tropical
evergreen forests! Tgers by setting up the Tiger Task Force. The Task Force presents an action agenda to
manage tiger conservation the Indian way, where forests are not only considered as
wilderness but also the homes of people.
4.7 THREATS TO BIoDIVERSITY: HABITAT Loss, PoACHING
HUMAN-WuDLIFE CONFLICTS OF WiLDLIFE,
Island flora and fauna, which have high endemism in small isolated areas surrounded by the
Habitat Loss
Man has
e on all sides, have so far been most seriously has
affected by human activity. This already
led
to the extinction of many island plants and animals (the Dodo in Madagascar is a well known
begun to overuse or misuse most of these
use
of resources, once-productive forests and natural ecosystems. Due to this unsustainaable kample). Habitat loss also resultsfrom
the introduction area into
ofspeciesfirom
one
by another
wastelands have increased all over grasslands have been turned into deser d
the world.
Mangroves have been cleared for fuelwoo l and umans, disturbing the balance in existing communities. Intheprocess, the purposely
Lantana,
or
Water
uentaly introduced organisms (some notorious examples being Eupatornum,
98
Biodiversity 99
extinction of many local species.
have led to the and Exotic Species
Hyacinth, 'Congress grass' or Parthenium)
human health. Another factor that disrupts forest
have also adversely affected
nat a part of the natural vegetation.biodiversity is the introduction of
exotic weeds,
uDatorium shrubs and congress grass. These have beenexamples in India are lantanawhich
are
Human-Wildlife Conflicts
either for c o n v e r e i .
Some common
of natural ecosystems,
The loss of species occurs due to the destruction
over-extraction of
their resources, or through pollution of air and have invaded large tracts of our natural forests. imported into the country from bushes abroaa
agriculture or industry, or by These weeds spread at the
to diverse range or inaigenous undergrowth species. The expense of the
water and soil. converted to agricultural land ther wildlife species, though not impact on the diversity of insect, bird and
In India, forests and grasslands
are continuously being
our natural wetland systems hav adequately studied, is quite obvious.
In our country a variety of traditional
Encroachments have been repeatedly legalised.
Similarly, farming
techniques have evolved
been drained to establish croplands resulting
in loss of aquatic species. Grasslands that were slash-and-burn cultivation in the Himalayas, and several centuries-
over
rab, lopping off tree branches to act
smaller number of human beings
and their cattle are either wOod-ash fertiliser in the Western ghats, are two such as a
once sustainably used by a relatively

these areas was low, these were systems. When the human population in
over-grazing. sustainable methods of
changed to other forms of use or degraded byfor timber and replanted using teak, sal or other now have a large number of people who subsist agriculture. Unfortunately, these areas
Our natural forests are being deforested
do not support the same now unsustainable and are leading to loss of forest
largely on forest agriculture. These methods are
value. Such monoculture plantations biodiversity.
single species for their timber has a closed canopy and a rich The over-harvesting of fish, especially
biological diversity as a multistoried
natural forest, which using large trawling boats, is leading to serious depletion
of fish stocks. Marine turtles, which are
undergrowth of nor do
vegetation;
nourish the soil.
they inadvertently caught in fishing nets, are being massacred
off the coast of Orissa. The rare whale shark, a
forest by lopping the branches of
trees, the
When excessive firewood is collected from the
cattle retard coast of Gujarat. highly-endangered species, is being killed off the
forest canopy is opened up and this alters the local biodiversity. Foraging the
regeneration of the forest, as young seedlings are constantly trampled. Poaching
Specific threats to certain animals are related to large economic benefits. The skin and bones of
CASE STUDY 2 tigers, ivory of elephants, horns of rhinos and perfume of the musk deer are extensively used
Kokkare Bellur, Karnataka: Coexistence abroad. Bears are killed for their gall bladders. Corals and shells are also collected for export or
(humans and wildlife) sold on the beaches of Chennai, Kanyakumari and the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
Tortoises,
exotic birds and other small animals are packed into tiny containers and
The pelican, which is an endangered species, breeds in large numbers at
Bellur, which is one of the ten known breeding sites in India. Kokkare Bellur is a village
Kokkare smuggled abroad for
pet trade. A variety of wild plants with real or sometimes dubious medicinal values are being
in Kamataka in Southern India. In December every year, hundreds of spot-billed
pelicans, painted storks, ibis and other birds migrate to this area to establish breeding over-harvested. The
commonly collected plants include Rauwolfa, Nux vomica, Datura and
others. The garden plants collected for illegal trade include orchids, ferns and mosses.
colonies on the tall tamarind trees in the centre of the village. The local people have
protected the birds, believing that they bring good luck with relation to rain and
crops. The villagers collect a rich supply of the natural fertiliser that collects below the
The rights of species
nests, the guano.of
The droppings of these fish-eating birds are rich in nitrates.
The owners thetrees inhabited
by the birdsdig
deep pits under the trees, into
which the guano falls. Silt from nearby lakes and ponds are mixed with the
We do not see all the varied functions that biodiversity plays in our lives because they
guano, obvious. We rarely see how they control our environment unless we
which is used in their ields and sold as fertiliser. They have now
planted trees around
are not
study
nature
their homes to encourage nesting. closely, over a period of time. We tend to overlook on and
nature's inter-relationships
take short-term actions that can have a serious impact biodiversity and its habitats.
Humans do not have a right to do this. We only share this planet with millions of other
to allow our actions to lead
Over-Exploitation species that also have a right to survive. It is morally wrong
to the extinction of species.
Theever-increasing human population pressing on the fringes of our PAs degrades tores
ecosystems, and the not-so-subtle
and the forested areas. A
daily encroachments gradually decrease the buffer zones
prime example is the Gir National Park, the last bastion of the Asiatic
lion-a metre-gauge
railway runs through the park, a state expressway, and three temples. INDIA
This is major factor to consider in
a
evaluating the 8 ENDANGERED AND ENDEMIC SPECIES OF
by local grazers to increase the growth of grass quality of the ecosystem. Repeated fires star to understand
diversity of plant species. Without alternate sources
ultimately reduce regeneration and lower aPpreciate the endemic and endangered species of India, it isOfimportant
the well-known species,
of fodder, this pressure cannot be thewIde
v found in the country:
decreased variety of plant and animal species
100 Biodiversity 101
are categorised as vulnerel
The endangered species Mad Pradeshand Orissa. It has
the year. Sal wood is hardbright green foliage and its canopy remains green
several are endangered by
human activity.
found only in
India and thus enda
are
and threatened.
indeterminate
Other species are
localised distribution anC
hroughout and durable. Sal almost
trees yield a large number of seeds
in making
have very
rare,
Some of these may
are
cosmetics.
Sal forests are rich in wild used
or restricted to our country.
considered highly endemic.

SPveral areas are incuded in our network of nationalmammals, birds, reptiles and insect life.
in the country
are now
found in only one o r a few D
PAs. MangO: This has become one of parks and sanctuaries
Several plant and animal species such as the tiger, elephan our
animals are charismatic species
horticultural species, with different varieties being
most
popular
Among the important endangered restricted toO a single area, include th. oll grown
The less well-known major mammals, Ther over the country. The wild
has small tangy
mango
and rhinocerous.
Kashmir stag, golden langur, pygmy
hog and a host of others. tree
Indian wild ass, Hangul or Indian bustard, the florican
fruit and a big seed, in comparison to the large
like the Siberian crane, the great pulpy fruit
are also endangered bird species, a decade ago, have
used in horticulture. Ihe mango tree is an
recent past, vultures,
which were common
species and has small flowers evergreen
and several birds of prey. In the threatened are several species of pollinated by insects. In the
suddenly disappeared and are highly
now
threatened. Equally
also threatened, including a large number of
forest, fruit-dependent animals such as monkeys, squirrels,
invertebrates are fruit bats and birds relish its ripe fruit.
reptiles and amphibians. Many
reefs.
species that inhabit our coral Ficus: The Mango
threatened due to changes in their habitat induced peepal, banyan
Many plant species are now increasingly and many other ficus
shrubs and climbers that are extremely habitat- species comprise this. They all
by human activity. Apart from the major trees,
are
small herbs are also greatly threatened by habitat

ecologically of great importance as many different species of
specific and thus endangered, thousands of are threatened due to insects, birds and mammals feed on ficus berries. The flowers
loss. Several orchids are yet another group under threat. Many plants are inside the berries.
over-harvesting as ingredients in medicinal products or

cosmetics. They are pollinated by a specific wasp,
which lays its eggs inside the berries on which the
To protect the endangered species, India has created the Wildlife Protection Act. This includes Ficus
larvae feed
and grow. The ficus trees bear berries
lists of plants and animals categorised according to the threat to their survival. throughout the year,
thus supplying nutritious food to several animal species when the other trees have no fruit.
We know so little about the species diversity of our country. Most of us are only aware of the
Ficus species are thus known as "keystone' species and support a major
plight of a few glamourous large mammals, but we need to appreciate the threat to the lesser
part of the food web in several ecosystems. Ficus trees, such as the peepal
known species of plants and animals. We need to find ways to support the conservation of Indias
and banyan, are considered sacred and are protected in India.
incredible wildlife for its future generations.
Neem: This species is known as Azadirachta indica. It has been traditionally
4.8.1 Common Plant Species used in indigenous medicine. It has small yellow fruit; the leaves and fruit
are bitter in taste. It is used extensively as an environmentally friendly
Teak: This tree is from the southwest of peninsular India. It
is a common tree in deciduous forests, and yields the much- insecticide. It grows extremely well in semi-arid regions and can be planted
timber used for making furniture. During the in afforestation programmes where the soil is poor and rainfall is low.
sought-after
early British period, it was cut down from many forest tracts Tamarind: One of the best known Indian trees, it grows to a large size and
Neem
to build ships. Asstocks were diminishing, the British selected is known to live for over 200 years. Its familiar fruit is a curved pod with sour pulp, containing
areas which they called Reserved Forests where teak was
a number of squarish seeds. The pulp in the fresh fruit is either green or red. As it ripens, it
planted for the Governmenes use. Teak is grown extensively turns sticky and brown and separates from the skin. It is commonly cultivated as a shade tree
It is used
by the Forest Department and is a highly priced wood. Teak and for its edible sour fruit, which contains high concentrations of vitamin C. as a
The teak tree is identified by its additive in food flavour. It is valued for its timber as well
large leaves, which grow to more than 40-50 cm long ai preservative and an to give a tangy
20 cm wide; it has
tiny flowers and fruit. In the winter, the trees shed all their leaves. In as for fuelwood.
tne of Western
growing season, which begins in April and extends through the This is thorny species that is characteristic of the semi-arid areas
monsoon, teak forests are bright green and shady. Most natural 4Dul: a
of grassland and around farms, and
ndia and the Deccan plateau. It grows sparsely in tracts
teak forests have various other and fuelwood. It remains green throughout the
species of plants and a large is used for fodder
number ofwild animals. Some teak the driest conditions and is browsed on by wild
forests that have exceptional year even
under
populations of wildlife have been declared as PAs and included cattle. It has small leaves and bright yellow tlowers
animals and
in our national
parks and wildlife sanctuaries. with multiple seeds. Its main characteristic
and small seed-pods
thorns, which prevent excessive browsing
Sal: This is a common species found in several tyYpes is its long, sharp, straight
Sal Torests of the Northeastern region of India, extending n Babul of its older branches.
Environmental Studies Biodiversity 103
102
of India, in high rainfall areas. It
theast parts
and shrubs typically em.ous height and has wide girth. The grows to an
the small trees a
seed has pair
enorm
These a r e mauritiana
Zizyphus:
semi-arid a r e a s of
India; Z a
found in the arid and is a f wing-like structures which aid in wind dispersal.
found species. It
commonly
and Z jujuba
are the most
fruits extensively Querca (oak): It is a
large tree and is
tavourite of frugivorous
birds. The tree
mammals. The mDortant genus, which includes many treeseconomically- an
of birds and known for

and these are eaten by a variety
collected and sold in local markets.
Zizyphus
Lir beautiful shape and their changing seasonal colours.
popular fruit is commonly
This tree is an There are 30-40 Indian species of this genus, found in Oak
Jamun: fruit. It is a favourite the temperate areas throughout the
evergreen species,
which has a tasty purple
hard,
Himalayas. The fruit
wild birds and mammals. It growe is a large, solitary characteristic nut (acorn). Oaks provide the finest hardwoods of
with people and with many
and has several varieties with fruits of areatstrength and durability and were once used for building ships and
in many parts of India bridges. It is a
different sizes.
famous wood for high-quality furniture. Some of its species are also excellent fodder
found in drv plants.
A mid-sized, deciduous tree, commonly
Tendu: Pine: There are five
Jamun deciduous forests throughout
the Indian subcontinent. There species of true pines found in India
in the
Its bark exfoliates in large rectangular scales. It branches out Himalayan region. The timber of these trees is
are around 50 Indian species.
leaves are elliptical and leathery and its young leaves are frequently used in construction,carpentry and the
paper
profusely forming a dense crown. The industry. Pine resin is used to make turpentine, rosin,
fruit is brownish-yellow and astringent. Tendu-leaf
extensively used for making bidis. The tar and pitch. Pine oils are obtained
collection necessitates burning the undergrowth and slashing the branches of the trees to get at by distillation of the
leaves and shoots. Pine leaves are thin and needle-like. The
in PAs.
the leaves. The resulting disturbance to wildlife is a serious issue male and female spores are produced in woody cones, and
Jackfruit: This tree is planted around many villages and has huge fruit growing directly from Pine
the dispersal of pollen is aided by each grain having two
its branches. The fruit has a prickly skin. The unripe fruit is cooked like a vegetable. Once ripe, wings.
it turns into a sweet, sticky, golden-yellow fruit, which has a Cycads: These plants are uncommon in India and have a palm-like appearance. Cycads
strong smell. along with conifers make up the gymnosperms. They are among the most primitive seed
Flame of the forest (Butea monosperma): This tree grows in plants, and have remained virtually unchanged through the past 200 million years (since
many parts of India. It has bright orange flowers when it is Jurassic times). There are five species found in India, mostly in high rainfall areas.
leafless, and is thus called the 'flame of the forest. The flowers Coconut: This tall stately palm has a more or less straight trunk with circular markings. and
are full of nectar, which attract monkeys and many nectar-
dependent birds. is grows mostly in coastal plains. The base is surrounded by a mass of fine roots. It produces the
familiar coconut, filled with liquid and a soft white edible, jelly-like material that hardens when
Butea monosperma
Coral tree (Erythrina): A the fruit ripens. It is a common ingredient of food in India, especially in the southern states.
common deciduous tree that is leafless in February, when it It is extensively cultivated along the coastal regions and islands of India. Most parts of the tree
gets bright scarlet flowers that are used for their nectar by yield several useful products, such as broomsticks from its leaves and fibre from the husk of
many birds such as mynas, crows and sunbirds, which are its dried coconuts.
major pollinators. Its long black seed-pods contain several Orchids: This is the largest group offlowering plants in the world, with
shiny brown seeds which germinate well. This tree can also be
over 18,000 known species. Of these, 1500 species are found
in India,
propagated by cutting and planting its young branches. It 1S a with
Erythrina rapid grower and usually making it one of the largest plant families in the country a high
begins to flower in four or

iv Concentration of a staggering 700 species in the flowers show a
Northeastern states.
years' time The range
Amla (gooseberry): This deciduous
medium-sized tree is nese plants are terrestrial or epiphytic herbs. In some
known for its sour, colours and variation in structure. species, one
greenish-yellow fruit, which are rich in rght great

labellum;
called lip
e petals is distinct from the others and
is a or
vitamin C. It is used as a medicine, in
pickles, and for a large number of orchid
referred to as the Indian dyeing
and tanning. It is colorful pollinators. In India,
frequently olive, to
s petal attracts
Northeast and the Andaman
which it has no
similarity either in appearance or taste. e s are found in the Western ghats, the seen in several
Nicobar islands. Orchids are, however, cold or ecological
Dipterocarps: This group of trees grows in such as very very hot and dry
forests of the southern
part of the Western ghats evergreen
extremes
ons except Orchid
and in the Amla ecosystems.
5 or
has three branches called tines. The
This is a small
insectivorous plant, usually rare Hangul deer is found only in
that secrete a sticky
Drosera:
in height, which has tiny hairs Kashmir. It has a magnificent

6 cm
stuck. The leaf winds
on which
insects get cpread of antlers with six branches
droplet of fluid
which is then slowly
digested.
on each antler. "The Barasingha or
around the struggling insect,
in shallow, poor-quality
The plant has pretty
flowers. It grows ewamp deer has wide hoofs that
in small patches. Drosera
soil. It is a rare plant and is found enable this beautiful animal to live
with a large rhizome, in boggy areas of the terai. Each
Lotus: This is an aquatic floating plant flat and covered
with a waxy coating, which
Its leaves are circular, antler has six or more branches. The
which is rooted in mud. stalk with several petals ranging from pin
on an erect tiny barking deer lives in many
it from water. The flower grows seeds. It is widely distributed Hangul Barasingha
protects round
cone with multiple forest areas all over India. lt has two ridges
violet to white. The fruit is a spongy areas. The rhizome, stalks of the
fo on its face and short antlers with only
and marshy two
in wetland habitats and
shallow parts of lakes decorations. The flower
branches. Its call sounds like the bark of a dog.
delicacies. The fruit is used for dry er
leaves and seeds are considered national flower of India. The blackbuck is the
only true antelope found in India. It lives
Indian art. The lotus is the
has been a traditional motif in in large herds. The males are black on top and cream below and
of flowering plants in the world. They are a have beautiful
Grasses: Grasses form the second-largest group
making fibre,
spiral horns that form a 'V shape. The chinkara,
for various purposes, such
as
also known as the Indian
of plants as they are used gazelle, is a smaller animal, pale brown
very important group medicines and many other useful products. The in colour, with beautiful
material for roofs, oil, gum, curved horns. The rare Chausingha, or
paper, thatching cereals like rice, wheat, millets,
include sugarcane, bamboo and four-horned antelope, is the only animal in the world that has
economicaly important grasses fodder for domestic animals.
as they provide tour horns. The
maize and so on. Grasses are also important Nilgai is the largest of the dryland herbivores.
that grow in clumps to great heights in Blackbuck The males are
Bamboo: This is a group of large grass-like species blue-gray in
are used for constructing huts
and making several useful household
many forests of India. They colour. The
articles in rural areas, such as baskets, farm implements,
fences, household implements and
used in the pulp and paper industry
Nilgai have white markings on the legs and
mats. The young shoots are used as food. It is extensively
head, and short strong spike-like horns.
as raw material.
The bamboo plants flower after more than two decades; the plant the dies. The flowering A very special rare species is the Indian
bamboo. Bamboo is a wild ass, endemic to the Little Rann of Kutch.
produces thousands of seeds, which results in the slow regrowth of the The Himalayan pastures support several
and other herbivores of the forest, such as gaur and deer.
favourite food of elephants large
species of wild goat and sheep, many of them
of
wild relatives of crop plants: All our present-day cultivated varieties rice, which grown
are restricted to the region, like the goral and the Nilgai Chinkara
for food, come from wild varieties of rice, many of
which have originated in India, China and Himalayan Tahr or mountain goat. A single
Indonesia. Rice is one ofthe
staple foods of the world. Although the wild varieties not used
aredisease species, the Nilgiri Tahr is found in the Nilgiri and Anamalai hills in South India.
as food crops, they are
important as they contain genes can be
that used develop
to
or The one-horned rhinocerous is now restricted to
pest resistance in crops. Many local varieties of rice have already been lost, as most farmers now Assam, but was once found throughout the Gangetic
grow only high-yielding varieties.
plains. The wild buffalo or gaur is now also restricted
to the terai. The Indian elephant is distributed in
4.8.2 Common Animal the Northeastern and
Species Southern states. It is
Mammals Indian wild ass threatened by habitat
The common deer species found in India include the sambar, The
chital, barasingha and barking deer. Sambar live in small family loss and poaching for ivory.
in several
tound in patches
parties especially in hilly forested areas and feed mainly on gaur is
well-wooded parts of
India.
shrubs and leaves of low branches.
They are dark brown in of our
colour and have large thick antlers, each The best known predator
having three branches. forests is the tiger. Its gold and blackk
Chital or spotted deer live in large herds in forest
clearings in the forest
where they graze on the grass. They have a rust-brown
body with stripes hide it perfectlyon herbivores, Nilgiri tahr
white spots, which camouflages them in the forest. Each antler undergrowth. It preys
Chital
Tiger
106
domestic
animals. Biodiversity 107
on
less frequently
the sambar or chital, have
or
such as
a month.
Its numbers Birds
three or four times
Ihe tiger kills only for the supposed magical There are over 1200 bird species found in
declined due to poaching
for its skin, and claws and Most of our forest birds are India in different habitats.
value of its teeth,
recent past,
specially
tvpes. Some Himalayan species, adapted to life in certain forest
whiskers. In the however, can also be seen in the Western
killed
it has been extensively Leopard ghats. There are
medicinal
for the supposed several species
its bones that are
properties of of hornbills that
medicine.
used in Chinese live on fruit.
now found
The Asiatic lion is They have heavy
Lion forests of
Gujarat.
only in the Gir curved beaks
than the tiger and lives both in sometimes with
The leopard is more adaptable Hornbill
areas. Its beautiful
rosette a
thick forests and degraded forest casque top.
on
see its
that its prey cannot Frugivores such as parakeets,
markings camouflage it so perfectly Snow leopard
Paradise Bird of prey
The smaller jungle cat, which is light-brown
a Bee-eater barbets and bulbuls live on fruit and
stealthy apPproach. flycatcher
animal and the leopard cat, which is a little bigger
than a domestic are often seen eating Ficus fruits
the Himalayas is the snow leopard, which is very such as those of banyan and
cat, are very rare. The most typical predator of Insectivorous birds of many species live on forest insects. peepal.
rare and is poached for its beautiful skin, which is pale grey with darker grey ring-like markings They include various species of
The wolf, jackal, fox and the wild dog or Dhole form a group flycatchers, bee-eaters and others. The male paradise flycatcher is a small beautiful white bird
with a black head and two long white trailing tail feathers. The female is brown and
called canids. Another threatened does not
have the long tail feathers. There are several birds
predator is the Himalayan wolf. The of prey suchas
wolves are now highly threatened
eagles, falcons and kites, many of which are now endangered.
The grasslands support many species
as they have become increasingly of birds. The most threatened
species is the great Indian bustard, a large brown stately bird with
dependent on domestic sheep flocks. long legs, which struts about through grasslands looking for locusts
Thus, the shepherds constantly devise and grasshoppers. Another rare group
ways to kill the wolves.
Dhole of threatened birds are the floricans. Great Indian bustard
The Indian pangolin is found in Fox There are many species of quails,
many parts of India, including national parks such as Corbett
partridges, larks, munias and other grain-eating birds that are
and Gir. The Indian pangolin lives
mainly
in burrows, its habitat include tropical rain forests, adapted to the grasslands.
lower slopes of mountains, and sub-tropical thorn forests and plains. Like other pangolins, 1t
has a small
There are several species of aquatic birds such as waders. gulls
triangular shaped head and large, overlapping scales to protect its body. Inalan and terns, which live along the seashore and go out fishing many
pangolins are insectivores that teed on ants and termites.
Partridge kilometres to the sea. Many of
One of the common
monkey species of the forest is the bonnet macaque, which nasa these birds have lost their coastal
face, a very long tail and a whorl of hair on :he
scalp which looks like a cap. Our other commo habitats due to pollution. The
monkey is the rhesus macaque, which is smaller and has a shorter tail freshwater aquatic birds have long
than the bonnet. A rare
macaque is the lion-tailed macaque found
in a few forests of the southern only legs and are known as waders-
Western ghats and Anamalai It is such as stilts, egrets and sandpipers.
black in colour, has long hair, a ranges.
grey mane and a tassel at form birds that
that looks like a lions tail. The the end of its tail The other group Flamingo
common
known as the Hanuman langur has a black face and is also swim on water like several species
langur. The rare golden Stilt
along the banks of the Manaslangur
of ducks and geese.
in colour and lives
River
is
golden-yellow birds associated marshy
with water or areas. These
capped langur is an uncommon in Assam. The nere many species of spectacular large
are
black Nilgiri langur lives in the species of Northeast India. The rare nclude different species of storks, cranes, spoonbills,
herons, flamingoes and pelicans. Many
southern Western in Northern Europe or Siberia and come to India in
Anamalais. ghats, the Nilgiris and Lion-tailed macaque quatic species are migrants. They breed
thousands during winters.
Marine life
with
Reptiles of lizards,
snakes and
turtles and tortoises,
lizard,
AMarine ecosystems are most frequently associated with
has a wide variety c o m m o n garden fish and crustaceans, like crabs and
ndia include the chrimp, which we use as food. The other
a high level endemism.The lizards
of common
monitor and water endangered
nd whales (mammals). There are large number of species include marine turtles (reptiles)
chameleon, skink, trade in
a
the fan-throated lizard, threatened due to ivers and lakes that species of freshwater fish found in
fish from abroad as well Indian
are now
monitor. Most of
these are
rock
the
threatened by the introduction of
include as
reptile skins.
The Indian
snakes
snake. We rarely
to being introduced irom one river into another. Fish
are also now
due
python, the grass
snake and the vine
of snakes Fan-throated lizard nollution. isheries being over-harvested in our coastal waters seriously
Marine are affected by
appreciate the fact
that onlya few species
Russell's viper
decreased over the last few years. Mechanised boats with giant,andsmall-meshed
seriously the fish catch has
nets
cobra, cobra, krait and are a major cause of the
depletion. There are many
such as the king are harmless. endangered fish such as the Mahseer, which
other snakes once grew to over a metre in
are poisonous
and most
now
length. Many species of marine animals, such as whales, sharks
The star tortoise and
Travancore tortoise are and dolphins that live in the Indian Ocean, are now
comes to threatened by extinction due to fishing in
rare. The Olive Ridley
is a marine turtle and the deep sea.
King cobra on the coast of Orissa;

this For further details see
nest in large numbers
is called the arribada. The
unique phenomenon
freshwater turtles include the flap- Monitor lizard CD ROM The
. on
Biodiversity of India, Mapin Publications, Ahmedabad,
shell turtle, the Gangeticus, the net. mapin@icenet.
tented turtles. Many turtles are SH Prater, The Book of
due to
.
Indian
Animals, BNHS
becoming increasingly rare . SAli, The Book of Indian Birds, BNHS.
the poaching of adults and eggs. The
Star tortoise crocodile is our largest reptile,
Gharial
which is poached for its prized skin.
The gharial is a species of fish-eating crocodile, endemic
4.9 CONSERVATION OF BIoDIVERSITY: IN SITU AND Ex SITU
to India and is highly threatened. 4.9.1 In Situ Conservation
The conservation ofa species is best done
Amphibians by protecting its habitat along with all the other
Most of the amphibianssuch
found intheIndia are frogs and
toadsthere is one species of skink. These species that live in it in nature. This is known as in-situ conservation, which is conserving a
include severalspecies as Indian
bullfrog and tree frog. These amphibians are mostly species in its own environment by creating national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Biodiversity
found in the hotspots in the Northeast and the Western at all levels, as
genetic species and as intact ecosystems, can be best preserved in situ by setting
ghats. It is now believed that global
warming and increasing levels of UV radiation may be seriously affecting amphibian populations aside an
adequate representation of wilderness as protected areas. These should consist of a
in some areas. network of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries with each distinctive ecosystem included in
the network. Such a network would
Invertebrates preserve the total diversity of life of a region.
the
Invertebrates include a variety of taxa that In past, national parks and sanctuaries India
in were
notiñed to preserve major wildlife
Species such as tigers, lions, elephants and deer. The objective of these areas should be expanded
inhabit both terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems. to the preservation of relatively intact natural ecosystems, where biological
diversity, from
Microscopic animals like protozoa and microscopic unicellular plants and animals to the giant trees and large mammals, can all be
zooplankton form the basis of the food chain in preserved.
Crab
aquatic habitats. Coral is formed by colonies of However, species cannot be protected individually as they are all interdependent-the
polyp-like animals. Worms, mollusks Beetle
whole ecosystem must be The biologist's viewpoint deals with areas that are relatively
spiders, crabs, jellyfish and octopus are (snails), protected.
the better-known a few of
invertebrates found in India. species-rich, or those where rare, threatened or endangered species are found, or those with
endemic species. As rare endemic species are found only in a small area. these easily become
There are more than a
million insect extinct due to human activity. Such areas must be given an added importance as their biodiversity
species on earth that are known. 1s a
Snail
grasshoppers, bugs, beetles, They include
ants, bees,
special feature of the region.
Animals such as elephants require different types of habitat to feed in during different seasons.
butterflies and moths. India
is rich in its hey utilise open grasslands after the rains when the young grass shoots are highly nutritious.
butterfly and moth species. Spider
n e grasses dry, the elephants move into the forest to feed on toliage from the trees. A PA
110
Biodiversity 111
in India
parks and
wildlife sanctuaries
hat is meant to protect elephants must,
complete complementtherefore,
national be large enough and
4.4 Representative
Table
Established Area (in
km) types
to support a
include diverse habitat
State of
interlinked species.
No Name
Andaman and Nicobar 1992 426.23 urildife sanctuaries and national parks of India: There
1 Campbell Bay National Park 1989 353 hich 89 are national parks and 500 are wildlife are 589
protected areas in India, of
Andhra Pradesh
d Some have been created sanctuaries. They include a
2 Sri Venkateswara National Park
1974 1985.24 an habitats. in order to protect variety of ecosystems
3 Namdapha National Park
Arunachal Pradesh
nlants and animals found nowhere else in the world. highly endangered species of wid
1974 471.71
4 Kaziranga National Park Assam The Great Himalayan National Park is the
Assam 1990 500 the
largest sanctuary in this ecosystem and is one of
last homes of the beautiful snow leopard. The
che rare Hangul or Kashmir stag is found. There areDachigam sanctuary is the only place where
5 Manas National Park
Bihar 461.6
6 Valmiki National Park several sanctuaries in the terai
Chhattisgarh 1981 1258.37 region- the
7 Indravati National Park Kaziranga National Park is the most famous
Chhattisgarh 1982 200 and is home to the
8 Kanger Ghati National Park (Kanger Valley) rhinocerous apart from
9 Gir National Park Gujarat 1965 258.71 elephant, gaur, wild boar, swamp deer and hog
1980 162.89 deer in large numbers, as well as
10 Gulf of Kachchh Marine National Park Gujarat tigers and
Jammu and Kashmir 1981 141 Rhino leopards. Its bird life is extremely rich and
11 Dachigam National Park
includes ducks, geese, pelicans and storks. The
12 Hemis National Park Jammu and Kashmir 1981 4100 Manas sanctuary, in addition to the above terai
species, also
13 Salim Ali National Park Jammu and Kashmir 9.07 includes the rare golden langur and the very rare pygmy hog,
14 Bandipur National Park Karnataka 1974 874.20 the smallest wild boar in the
world. The florican is found
15 Kudremukh National Park Karnataka 1987 600.32
in a few undisturbed
only
16 Nagarhole National Park (Rajiv Gandhi Karnataka 1988 643.39 grasslands
National Park) in the terai sanctuaries.
In the sal forests of
17 Eravikulam National Park Kerala 1978 97 Madhya
18 Periyar National Park Kerala 1982 305
Pradesh, there are several PAs.
Kanha offers a wonderful
19 Silent Valley National Park Kerala 1980 237
opportunity to observe wild Gaur
20 Bandhavgarh National Park Madhya Pradesh 1982 448.85 tigers on elephant back. It is the only PA in which a sub-species of
21 Kanha National Park Madhya Pradesh 1955 940 the barasingha is found.
22 Panna National Park Madhya Pradesh Golden langur
1981 542.67 Bharatpur is one of the most famous water-bird sanctuaries
23 Borivili National Park (Sanjay Gandhi Maharashtra 1969 104 in the world. Thousands of ducks, geese, herons and other wading birds can be seen here.
National Park) This is the only home of the very rare Siberian crane, which migrates to India every winter.
24 Pench National Park During the last 20 years, the 30 or 40 Siberian cranes have dwindled to only 2 or 3. During
Maharashtra 1977 758
25 Tadoba National Park
Maharashtra 1955 625 2002-03, no cranes were séen and it is possible that this beautiful bird will never again come
26 Balphakram National Park to India.
Meghalaya 1986 220
Park. Here, large numbers
27 Desert National Park
Rajasthan 1980 3162 In the Thar desert, wildlife is protected in the Desert National
Indian bustard lives in these arid
be The great
28 Mount Abu Wildlife
Sanctuary Rajasthan 1960 288.84 Or blackbuck, nilgai and chinkara can seen.
29 Ranthambore National Park lands.

30 Sariska National Park
Rajasthan 1981 392 Kanthambore the most well-known sanctuary for observing tigers
was
in the wild till about
Rajasthan 1955 866
Since then, many tigers have been killed by poachers.
31
Khangchendzonga National Park Sikkim
4 years
Orhe Greatago.
and the Little Rann of Kutch have been made into sanctuaries to protect the very
1977 1784
32 Mudumalai National Park Gujarat, the Gir sanctuary
Tamil Nadu tortoise and the desert fox. In
33 Dudhwa National Park
1940 321.55
re wild ass, the flamingo, the star lion. This thorn and deciduous forest is also
Uttar Pradesh 1977 490.29 the last population of the majestic Asiatic
34 Valley of Flowers National Park tects
tne home of large herds of chital, sambar and nilgai
Uttarakhand 1982 87.50
35 Corbett National Park associated hill ranges protect some of the most
Uttaranchal 1921 1318.5 ne the Western ghats and
sanctuaries of
36 Sundarbans National Park examples of highly-threatened species include the
West Bengal Se torest types in the country. The few
1984 1330.12
Biodiversity 113
112
s e v e r a l species of amphihia
of hill birds,
icultural
and other needs has become an
increasing cause of concern in land and resource
and a variety life. Sanctuaries s e , management. 1nis iorms a major impediment for creating new PAs. Having said this, there is
the flying squirrel endemic plant
Malabar giant squirrel, rich in highly
and insects. These regions
a r e also
this rich flora in Maharasht rgent need to add to our PAs to preserve our very rich biological diversity. Much
reptiles
Bhimashankar, Koyana,
Chandoli and
Radhanagari preserve
Karnataka;
E r a v i k u l a m , Parambikulam,
Periva
riyar atural wilderness has already undergone extensive changes. The residual areas that haveofhigh
the
Dandeli and Nagarhole in oels of species richness, endemism endangered plants and animals must be notiied
or
Bandipur, Bhadra, as
and the Silent Valley in
Kerala.
sanctuaries protect
s o m e of the
last pockets of the India. ational parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Other areas be made into Community Conserved
nati can
the rich forest and Bhadra. Durin Areas which are managed by local people.
In the Nilgiri hills, Mudumalai, Wyanad
include Bandipur, been ruthlessy The International Union tor Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) states
elephant in South India. Examples have
number of the great
tusker elephants of this region that it is essential to include at least 10% of all ecosystems as protected areas if biodiversity is to
the last 10 years, large
a animals are left in these jungles.
their Now, very few of these magnificent the Chilika lake conserved in the long term.
killed for ivory. of coastal ecosystems
are be
meant for preservation India has only 5% ot land in its 589 protected areas in 2004. Howeve much of this includes
Two important sanctuaries the largest mangrove
The Sunderbans protect
in Orissa and Point
Calimere in Tamil Nadu. plantations of sal or teak, which were developed for timber in the past and are thus relatively
shallow areas in the sea, islands.
National Park in Gujarat protects have
delta in India. The Marine only
coral reefs and extensive mudflats.
poor in diversity and alow level of 'naturalness. There are
good grasslands
a few left
in our country that are notified as PAs. Some are merely over-grazed wastelands in areas that
Nicobar islands to preserve
created in the Andaman and
Over a hundred PAs have been were once flourishin8 grasslands. Most of these areas have a low biological value and need careful
their very special island ecosystemns. to allow them to revert to a more natural state, with their full complement of
management
plants and animals. Only a few wetlands have been made into sanctuaries. These
require
better
CASE STUIDY3 Orissa: Olive Ridley turtles management.
the Orissa A major strategy to reduce impacts on the biodiversity of the PAs should be to provide a
and the mouth of the Devi river on
Every year at Gahirmatha, Rushikulya the beach, between sustainable source of resources for local people living around them. A PA curtails their traditional
coast, hundreds of thousands of Olive Ridley
turtles congregate on
December and April, for mass nesting-the arribada. This was the largest nesting grazing practices and to
access fuelwood sources. These resources must be provided by
estimated that developing them in the buffer areas. Plantations of fuelwood and good grassland management
site for Olive Ridleys in the world. In 1999, by the end of March it was
around 200,000 turtles had nested at the Gahirmatha beach. Marine biologists believe in areas outside PAs help reduce the pressure on the habitat of wildlife within the PA. Good
can
that only one out of every 1000 eggs actually matures into an adult. ensure that local people derive a direct economic benefit from
management practices must
There are severe threats to these nesting sites. Shrinking nesting sites, construction
of roads and buildings close to these rookeries, and other infrastructure development
the presence of the PA. Involving local people in
Protected Area Managementinand developing
enlisting their
tourist facilities that the income
support for local
generation people helps
projects hamper nesting. Trawler fishing is another large threat fo the turtles. After its Support for the PA.
discovery in 1974, the beach was notified as a sanctuary (the Bhitarkanika sanctuary)
A carefully-designed management plan which incorporates an 'ecodevelopment' component
and was closed for hunting. Recognising the threat to turtles from fishing by large income generation for local
aimed at providing a source of fuelwood, fodder and alternate
trawlers, the Orissa Marine Fisheries Regulation Act was passed in 1982. This Act
people, is an important aspect of PA management.
prohibits trawling within 10 km of the coastline throughout
Devices
the state and makes it
There are several species of plants and animals that
survive without protection outside our
mandatory for all rawlersto use Turtle
Excluder the State
(TEDs). In 2001, more PAs without affecting the lives
Government of Orissa declared that a five-month period between
Current network of PAs. As it is not practical notify
to
January and May or Community Conserved Areas
should constitute a no-fishing season for a distance of 20 km from the Community Reserves
Apart from these initiatives, 'Operation Kachhapa' is being coordinated
coastline. OT people, alternate strategies such asshould be managed by local people to bring about the
Wildlife protection Society of India, Delhi and Wildlife by the (CCAs) need to be created. These sustainable
Society of Orissa with many local COnservation of biodiversity, while using
the areas resources in an equitable and
NGOs as partners. The Orissa Forest achieved without compromising
Department, WII, Dehra Dun and the Codst conservation goals that can be
Guard are also involved in the
project. way. A CCA must have specific
the area's utilitarian
potential. can only come from a
mass environmental
major drive for conservation of biological diversity

The need for an A our dwindling biological
resources.
integrated protected area system (IPAS): Protected areas, to be effective, Cuucation program on the value of protecting
be established in
every must
included of highly biogeographic region. A relatively larger representation
must
fragile ecosystems, areas of high species diversity or endemism. PAS
also be integrated with each
other, by establishing corridors betweenhigh 4.9.2 Ex Situ Conservation
possible so that wildlife can move between them. adjacent areas
wherev to extinction that unless
species is so close extinction. This
In our
country, which has a rapidly growing human There
are situations in which an endangered driven to strategy
population, it is not easily feasii alterr may be rapidly
set aside more and more land to create PAs. The methods are instituted, the species outside its natural habitat
need .de the species
to
provide a greater amount or ai knov
W n as ex situ conservation,
that is, conserving
114 Environmental Studies
Biodiversity 115
in a carefully controlled situation such
as a botanical garden for plants, zoological park for
a
to multiply the species und.
ander (Continued)
where there is expertise
animals or within the care of humans programme ensures thar.
a successful breeding
artihcially managed conditions. Finally, rehabilitation of the degrad.
ulture
breeding program: The last two
vultures across India. Three decades
This requires number
original wild habitat.
species is reintroduced into itsother disturbances, o r other artifci
the of have seen drastic decline
a
such as poaching,
endangered according the lUCN. Visceral
to
of the nine in
species in India are criticaly
habitat and removal of the causes
of reducing the population of the species diclofenac, an anfi.intlammatory drug, is knowngout, disease in birds, caused
a
influences that have been the primary cause
These breeding programs for rare plants
and animals are, however, more expensive than Dopulations. Diclotenac is given to sick (and/or to be the main cause of the crash by in
that they can work on farmlands for working) cattle to reduce their
managing a PA.
in a gene bank so are left out in the longer periods of time. Once the cattle painthey so
Another form of preserving plant

a is by preserving its germplasm that it open vultures-nature's
for die,
be used if needed in future. However, this is rather expensive.
major role in keeping the environment clean. most efficient scavengers that play
can
bred so that in-breedino of cattle are poisoned by diclofenac, which However, vultures feeding on the flesh
When an animal is on the brink of extinction, it must be carefully eventually death. Meloxicam has now beencauses renal failure, visceral gout and
weak. Breeding from the same stock can recommended
does not lead to the genetic composition becoming diclofenac. Furthermore, the Government of India alternative to
as an
lead to poorly-adapted progeny or even an inability to get enough offtspring. In 2001, Vulture Conservation
a
has also banned diclofenac.
Modern breeding programmes are undertaken in zoos that provide for all the animal's Breeding Centre was established in Pinjore in
Haryana by the Bombay Natural History Society
needs, including enclosures that simulate their wild habitats. There may also be a need to assist
Department. The centre houses white-backed vultures(BNHS) and the Haryana Forest
(15 adults and 9 juveniles), long
breeding artificially. Thus, while most zoos are meantto provide visitors with a visual experience billed vultures (3 adults and 25 juveniles),
slender-billed vultures
of seeing a wild animal at close quarters and provide the visitors with information about the griffon. One hundred pairs of vultures are projected to be releasedandby the Himalayan
2020.
species, a modern zoo has to go beyond these functions to include breeding of endangered
species as a conservation measure. Conservation of cultivars and livestock breeds: There were an estimated 30,000 varieties of rice
In India, successful ex situ conservation programmes have been carried out for all our three grown in India till about 50 years ago. Now, only few of these are still grown. The new varieties
species of crocodiles; this has been highly successful. The most successful example is the Madras which are now being cultivated everywhere have been
Crocodile Trust Bank, which has grown from 10 to 8,035 crocodiles and the crocodiles here lay
developed using the germplasm of these
original types of rice. If all the traditional varieties vanish completely, it will be difficult to
two clutches of eggs a year, compared to one in the wild! Another recent success has been the develop new disease-resistant varieties of rice in the future. Several varieties have been preserved
breeding of the very rare pygmy in the Guwahati zoo. The Delhi zoo has successfully bred
hog
the rare Manipur brow-antlered deer.
in gene banks. However, this is both very expensive and
risky. Encouraging farmers to continue
to grow several traditional varieties is, thus, an important concern for the future of mankind.
At present, gene bank collections have over 34,000 cereals and 22,000 pulses.
In the past, domestic animals were selected and bred for their ability to adapt to local
CASE STUDY4 conditions. Traditional agro-pastoralists in India have selectively bred livestock for 2,000-
Conservation programmes 3,000 years. India has 27 breeds of cattle, 40 breeds of sheep, 22 breeds of goat and 8 breeds of
Crocodile conservation: Crocodiles have been threatened buffaloes. These traditional breeds must be maintained for their genetic variability.
as their skin is used for
making leather articles. This led to the near extinction of crocodiles in the wild in the
1960s in India. CASE STUOY 5 Wonder sheep
A crocodile breeding and conservation
the remaining population of crocodiliansprogramme
was initiated in 1975 to
in their natural habitat and
protect Generally speaking, Indian sheep production is constrained due to challenges of low
breeding centres. It is by creatingg In order to make the sheep industry more profitable
perhaps one of the most successful ex situ conservation breeding prolificacy (fertility) and parasitic worms.
Research Insititute
projects in the country. the founder of the Nimbkar Agricultural
Crocodiles have been extensively bred in in Maharashtra, Bon Nimbkar, was looking to develop prolihc, worm-resistant meat
and other sites where successful over 30
captive breeding centres, zoos (NARI) in Phaltan, in Maharashtra conditions of the state. It was known that the Booroola
breeding takes place. Thousands of crocodiles of al sheep that could adapt to the local import
three species have been bred and with multiple births. A strategy to
restocked in 20 high prolificacy
merino sheep in Australia has a Australia
Project Elephant: Project Elephant was launched natural water bodies.
from was researched. was then realised that the
in 1992 to ensure ne high prolificacy gene in West Bengal!
survival of a viable
population of elephants in their natural habitats the long-tern drge-bodied Australian sheep
in actual fact came from the Sunderbans
is
and worm-resistant
North-eastern India and South India. in North and
sheep which has high prolificacythe
12 states. Despite In situ conservation is
this, our elephant herds are under being implemented in o the small course-woolled actually held the secret of cangrowth of the wool
wet conditions in West Bengal
and their
migration routes are threat as their habitat is shrinking n the Australia. The Garole
wonder sheep' now enable a
disrupted by human activities. ndustry in early colonial

in Maharashtra. This
case study is indicative of the
(Continued) nore productive sheep industry

genetic variability
of breeds.
portance of maintaining
Discuss any two common plant species, in

terms of their
CASE STUDYG bachao andolan (Save
the seeds movement) What are some of the strategies that can be description and use.
Beej collected seeds o protected areas? applied to protect biodiversity of Indias
foothills. The members
movement began in the Himalayan conserved hundreds
This hassuccesstully E What is in situ and ex situ
conservation? Provide
diverse crops in Garhwal. The
movement
beans), pulses, millets, vegetables, spices and examples of each.

of local rice varieties, rajma (kidney this programme in 6. List three indirect values of biodiversity.
as an outcome of
herbs. Many different varieties are being grown who felt 7. Give at least thre examples of each of
local farmers' fields. This has also been supported
local
by womens groups the following.
these varieties were better than those provided by the
green revolution. In contrast (a) Endangered plants
in short time found it ditficult to appreciate (b) Endangered animals
men who were interested in cash
returns a
the benefits of growing indigenous varieties. (c) Endangered birds
Summary
Biological diversity refers to the variation oflife forms at three levels-genetic variability
within a species, the variety of species within a community and the organisation of species
in an ecosystem.
Biological diversity provides a variety of environmental goods and services. These can be
categorised as consumptive and productive use values, socio-cultural values, aesthetic
values and option values.
India is a bio-rich nation, it ranks
among the top 15 counties that are exceptionally rich in
species diversity, many of which are endemic to the country and found nowhere else in the
world.
Areas that are rich in
species diversity are called 'hotspots of diversity. India's 'hotspots' are
concentrated in three areas-the Andaman and Nicobar islands, forests of the
Northeastern
states and forests of the Western
ghats.
Threats biodiversity include: habitat loss due to rapid urbanisation and industrialisation,
to
poaching for wildlife for short-term economic gain, and finally conflicts
human-wildlife coexistence. arising
fromn
I n situ conservation refers to

protecting species in their natural habitat by setting aside an
adequate representation of wilderness as Protected Areas
national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. (PAs), consisting of a network o
These PAs must be
integrated with each other, by establishing corridors between
areas wherever
possible so that wildlife can move between adjacent
Ex situ conservation refers to
them.
protecting species away from their natural habitat, in conditions
which can be closely controlled and monitored.
Questions
1. Define biological
2. What are some
diversity.
of the major causes of species loss in the 21st
causes. century? Provide at least threc

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which in turn feed

Carnivores feed on herbivores to another

and mountains well as

genetic. species and ecosystem is now

(iv) The Gangetic and Brahmaputra plains

4.3 VaLUE OF BIODIVERSITY

Biodiversity provides variety of environmental services from its

IND Biological diversity is also essential for

and other invertebrates that live in them.

Table 4.1 Commonly used modern

from which to develop new products. For the

Even today, new

B1odiversity has, great extent,

Values should form common property resource' to be shared by all

4.3.4 Ethical and Moral there is no reason to

biodiversity. Thus, after centuries of

and animals, there is also a great

Global species diversity

once sustainably used by a relatively

considered highly endemic.

small herbs are also greatly threatened by habitat

over-harvesting as ingredients in medicinal products or

of birds and known for

begins to flower in four or

greenish-yellow fruit, which are rich in rght great

in height, which has tiny hairs Kashmir. It has a magnificent

King cobra on the coast of Orissa;

29 Ranthambore National Park lands.

major drive for conservation of biological diversity

Another form of preserving plant

disrupted by human activities. ndustry in early colonial

(Continued) nore productive sheep industry

Discuss any two common plant species, in

beans), pulses, millets, vegetables, spices and examples of each.

the benefits of growing indigenous varieties. (c) Endangered birds

I n situ conservation refers to

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