ARCHITECTURAL

BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS
JOURNALISM
IN INDIA
 BIO-DIVERSITY HOTSPOTS
India has a rich & varied heritage of biodiversity. Biodiversity introduces the variety of different living
organisms of all species that exist on earth. These species are of different types like terrestrial (land
dwelling), marine species (aquatic) & other different ecosystems with ecological complexes. This
represents all types of plants, animals, fungi , micro-organisms like bacteria that make up our natural
world. Biodiversity is important to most aspects of life.
The term “BIO-DIVERSITY HOTSPOT” was originated by Norman Myers. The
bio-diversity hotspot is a location which is preserved with significant levels of biodiversity.
These are the regions that are rich in biodiversity but threated by human activities.
INDIA CONSISTS OF FOUR PRIME LOCATIONS OF BIO-DIVERSITY

1. THE WESTERN GHATS

The hills are situated to the western
coast of Indian peninsula. It is recognized
as global bio-diversity hotspot by UNESCO.
These are completely covered by dense
rain forests. These ghats are comprised of
77% of the amphibians, 62% of the
reptiles. Most of the species found around
the world such as black pepper &
cardamom are all believed to have
originated in western ghats.

ENDEMIC SPECIES
The Western Ghats region has a rich biodiversity with about 5000species of flowering
plants, 139 mammals , 508 birds , 179 amphibians &290 freshwater fish species. Out of
these , around 325 species of plants & animals are endemic to the western ghats. Some of
the well-known endemic species found in the Western Ghats include the Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-
tailed Macaque, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Malabar Civet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, and the
Malabar Pit Viper.

MALABAR GIANT SQUIRREL MALABAR GREY HORNBILL

ENDANGERED SPECIES
The Western Ghats are home to several endangered species of flora and fauna. These
include the Asian Elephant, Indian Bison, Indian Wild Dog, Sloth Bear, Bengal Tiger, Indian
Giant Squirrel, and the Lion-tailed Macaque.

BENGAL TIGER ASIAN ELEPHANT

CONSERVATION EFFORTS
I. The establishment of National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries
II. The creation of community-based conservation programs
III. The promotion of ecotourism
IV. The implementation of Forest Rights Act
V. The development of conservation and management plans for ecosystems including
species.

2. THE HIMALAYAS
The Himalayan mountains are composed of
Bhutan, north-east India. These are comprised
of more than 100 mountains that stretches to
7200m. some of the major rivers in the world
originated from here. There are approximately
10,000 species of plants in Himalayas which
cannot be located anywhere else in the world.
It introduces 163 endangered species, 45
mammals,50 birds, 12 amphibians, 17 reptiles.

ENDEMIC SPECIES
The Himalayas are home to a large number of endemic species, which are found nowhere
else in the world. These include several species of plants, birds, and mammals such as the
Himalayan blue poppy, Himalayan monal pheasant, and snow leopard.
HIMALAYAN TAHR HIMALAYAN BLUE POPPY

ENDANDERED SPECIES
Several species in the Himalayas are facing extinction due to habitat loss, poaching, and
climate change. Some of the endangered species in the region include the Bengal tiger,
Indian rhinoceros, Asiatic black bear, and the red panda. The snow leopard, which is native
to the high altitudes of the Himalayas, is also critically endangered, with only a few
thousand individuals remaining in the wild

RED
PANDA
SALAM
PANJA

CONSERVATION EFFORTS
Several conservation organizations & government initiatives are working to protect the
biodiversity of the Himalayas. The Indian government has established several national parks
and wildlife sanctuaries in the region such as the great Himalayan National park to protect
endangered species & their habitats. There are also efforts to promote ecotourism as a
sustainable way to generate income for local communities while preserving the natural
environment.

3. INDO -BURMA REGION

The Indo-Burma region, also known as the Eastern Himalayas, is a biodiversity hotspot that
stretches from eastern India through Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and southern
China. The region is home to a vast array of endemic species, many of which are endangered
or threatened due to habitat destruction, over-exploitation, and climate change. Six species
of mammals have been discovered in this region like large-antlered muntjac , annamite muntjac,
grey-shanked douc, leaf deer, saola & annamite striped rabbit. There are 1300 species of birds that
are spotted here. Almost 13,500 plant species are to be spotted here where half of them are
endemic & cannot be found in any other place in the world.
ENDEMIC SPECIES
The Indo-Burma region is one of the world's most biologically diverse regions, with a high
number of endemic species found nowhere else in the world. Some notable endemic
species in the region include the Arunachal macaque, Himalayan black bear, pygmy hog, and
the Mishmi Hills giant flying squirrel.

GIANT IBIS WHITE EYED RIVER MARTIN

ENDANGERED SPECIES
The Indo-Burma region is also home to a significant number of endangered species,
including the Asian elephant, tiger, sun bear, and pangolin. These species face a range of
threats, including habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.

MEAKONG GIANT CATFISH SAOLA

CONSERVATION EFFORTS
I. Establishments of National parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries by the government of this
region
II. Several community-based conservation initiatives were set up in this region.
III. Organizations are working to combat poaching by raising awareness, improving law
enforcement & providing alternative livelihood to communities that rely on
poaching.
IV. Eco-tourism is generated by providing income to local communities promoting
conservation efforts.
4. THE SUNDALAND
This region lies in south-east Asia that includes Thailand , Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei & Malaysia.
The Nicobar Islands represent India. These islands were declared as the world biosphere reserve in
2013 by the United Nations. These have a rich marine ecosystem including mangroves, seagrass
beds, coral reefs. Species such as Dolphins, Whales, Turtles, Crocodiles, Fishes, Prawns, Lob shells &
Seashells comprise marine biodiversity.

ENDEMIC SPECIES
The Sumatran Elephant is a subspecies of Asian elephant that is found only on the island of
Sumatra. The species is threatened by habitat loss, poaching & human-elephant conflict.
These population has declined by around 80% in the past few decades & only around 2,500
individuals remain in the wild.

SUMATRAN RHINOCEROUS BORNEAN RIVER TURTLE

ENDANGERED SPECIES
The Javan Rhino is one of the rarest large mammals in the world with fewer than 100
individuals remaining in the wild. The species are threatened by poaching & habitat loss as
well as the risk of disease transmission from other rhino species.
The Sumatran Tiger is a critically endangered subspecies of tiger that is found on the island
of Sumatra. These species are threatened by habitat loss, poaching & the illegal wildlife
trade. The population of Sumatran Tigers has declined by around 60% in the past few
decades & now only around 400 individuals remain in the wild

GURNEY’S PITTA MILKY STORK

CONSERVATION EFFORTS
I. The protected areas : Sundaland has many protected areas, such as National parks &
Wildlife reserves that provide habitat for endangered and endemic species. Ex: The
Gunung Leuser National Park in Sumatra is home to the largest population of
Sumatran orangutans & the Tanjung Putting National Park in Borneo is a key for
Bornean orangutans
II. Conservation Organizations : Many Conservation Organizations are working to
protect endangered & endemic species in Sundaland. Ex: The Sumatran Orangutan
Conservation Programme(SOCP) is working to protect them.

PROPAGATION METHODS
Propagation methods are also being employed in India to conserve endangered & endemic
species. One of the most effective propagation methods is tissue culture, which involves the
propagation of plants from small pieces of plant issue. This method is particularly useful for
conserving rare & endangered plant species Other propagation methods include seed
banking, which involves collecting & storing seeds of rare and endangered plant species &
cloning which involves producing genetically identical copies of a plant.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, India is a country of rich and diverse biodiversity with numerous hotspots that
are home to unique species found nowhere else in the world. Many of these hotspots are
facing serious threats from human activities such as deforestation, habitat fragmentation &
climate change. The Indian government has implemented several policies & programs to
conserve its biodiversity.
However, more needs to be done to ensure the long-term survival of
India’s unique biodiversity for future generations by creating protected areas, implanting
sustainable land use practices, promoting ecotourism & supporting local communities in
conservation efforts.