Biodiversity and its
Conservation
Introduction
Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, refers to the variety
of life forms on Earth, encompassing all plants, animals,
microorganisms, ecosystems, and genetic variations. It plays a
crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting
life on Earth. Biodiversity can be categorized into three main
types: genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem
diversity.
1. Genetic Diversity: This refers to the variety of genes
within a species. Each species consists of individuals that
have unique genetic codes. For example, humans show a
range of genetic variations in skin color, hair type, and
resistance to diseases.
2. Species Diversity: This refers to the diversity between
species in an ecosystem or on the planet. Different
species, such as lions, tigers, and elephants, represent
species diversity. The greater the number of species in
an ecosystem, the healthier and more resilient it tends
to be.
3. Ecosystem Diversity: This involves the diversity of
ecosystems in a geographical location. It refers to the
variety of habitats, ecological communities, and
processes in the biosphere. A region with forests, rivers,
deserts, and wetlands represents a high level of
ecosystem diversity.
Biogeographical Classification of India
India is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world,
with its landscape consisting of various ecosystems. The
country is classified into different biogeographical regions
based on climate, soil, and vegetation types:
1. The Himalayas: This region includes alpine and
temperate forests and is home to species like the snow
leopard.
2. The Western Ghats: A biodiversity hotspot with tropical
rainforests and a large number of endemic species.
3. The Deccan Plateau: Characterized by deciduous forests,
scrublands, and thorn forests.
4. The Indian Desert: The arid Thar Desert with unique
flora and fauna adapted to dry conditions.
5. The Coastal Regions: Mangroves, beaches, and coral
reefs with rich marine life.
6. The Gangetic Plain: Fertile agricultural lands with rivers
and wetlands.
Value of Biodiversity
Biodiversity provides several values that are vital for both
ecosystems and human well-being. These include
consumptive use, productive use, social value, ethical value,
aesthetic value, and option value.
1. Consumptive Use Value: This refers to the direct
consumption of natural resources like food, medicine,
and raw materials. For instance, medicinal plants from
forests are used in traditional and modern medicine.
2. Productive Use Value: Biodiversity provides products
that are commercially harvested, such as timber, fish,
and medicinal compounds. Many industries, such as
agriculture and pharmaceuticals, rely on biodiversity for
raw materials.
3. Social Value: Biodiversity holds cultural and spiritual
importance. In many indigenous communities, plants,
animals, and ecosystems are closely linked with religious
and cultural practices.
4. Ethical Value: This value stems from the belief that all
species have the right to exist. Humans have a moral
responsibility to protect biodiversity for the well-being of
all living organisms.
5. Aesthetic Value: Biodiversity contributes to the beauty
of nature, inspiring art, literature, and recreation.
National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and scenic
landscapes draw tourists, benefiting local economies.
6. Option Value: This refers to the potential future uses of
biodiversity. Some species might possess unknown
benefits that could be valuable in the future, such as
plants with medicinal properties yet to be discovered.
Biodiversity at Global, National, and Local Levels
Biodiversity is studied and conserved at various levels—
global, national, and local.
• Global Level: Globally, biodiversity is critical to
maintaining the Earth’s ecosystems. Organizations like
the United Nations and the World Wildlife Fund work
toward global conservation efforts through agreements
such as the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• National Level: In countries like India, biodiversity is
protected by policies, laws, and protected areas such as
national parks, biosphere reserves, and wildlife
sanctuaries. India's rich biodiversity is recognized
through its status as a mega-diversity nation.
• Local Level: Local communities play a key role in
biodiversity conservation. Traditional knowledge and
practices, such as sustainable farming and forest
management, help maintain local biodiversity.
India as a Mega-diversity Nation
India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries recognized by
the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
This is because India contains a significant portion of Earth’s
species diversity. With various ecosystems ranging from the
Himalayas to tropical rainforests, India is home to around 8%
of the world’s biodiversity, including unique and endemic
species found nowhere else on the planet.
Hotspots of Biodiversity
Biodiversity hotspots are regions that are rich in endemic
species but are also under threat from human activities. India
has two major biodiversity hotspots:
1. The Western Ghats: Known for its tropical rainforests
and a large number of endemic species, including rare
plants, amphibians, and birds.
2. The Eastern Himalayas: A region with a high level of
plant diversity, supporting many unique species of
animals and plants, some of which are critically
endangered.
Threats to Biodiversity
Biodiversity faces numerous threats, primarily driven by
human activities:
1. Habitat Loss: Deforestation, urbanization, and
agricultural expansion destroy natural habitats, leading
to the loss of species and ecosystems.
2. Poaching of Wildlife: Illegal hunting and trading of
endangered species threaten biodiversity. Tigers,
elephants, and rhinoceroses in India are often targeted
by poachers for their body parts.
3. Man-Wildlife Conflicts: As human populations expand,
conflicts between humans and wildlife increase. For
example, tigers and elephants sometimes stray into
human settlements, leading to dangerous encounters
and loss of life.
Case Study: Habitat Loss in the Western Ghats
The expansion of plantations, mining, and infrastructure
projects in the Western Ghats has led to significant
deforestation, threatening species such as the lion-tailed
macaque and Malabar civet.
Endangered and Endemic Species of India
• Endangered Species: India has several species that are
critically endangered, such as the Bengal tiger, Indian
rhinoceros, Asiatic lion, and the Ganges river dolphin.
These species face extinction due to habitat loss,
poaching, and climate change.
• Endemic Species: Endemic species are those that are
native to a specific region. India is home to many such
species, including the Nilgiri tahr, Malabar giant squirrel,
and the Indian pangolin.
Conservation of Biodiversity
In-situ Conservation: This involves conserving biodiversity in
its natural habitat. Protected areas like national parks, wildlife
sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves are examples of in-situ
conservation.
• National Parks: These are large areas dedicated to
conserving biodiversity while allowing for scientific
research and recreation. For example, the Jim Corbett
National Park in Uttarakhand is known for its tiger
population.
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Similar to national parks, but with
fewer restrictions, wildlife sanctuaries allow for some
human activities such as grazing and forestry. Examples
include the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala.
• Biosphere Reserves: These are protected areas that
focus on the conservation of biodiversity along with the
sustainable use of natural resources. The Nilgiri
Biosphere Reserve in southern India is one such
example.
Ex-situ Conservation: This involves conserving biodiversity
outside its natural habitat. It includes practices such as
breeding programs, botanical gardens, and gene banks.
• Zoos: These help conserve endangered species by
providing safe environments for breeding and education.
• Botanical Gardens: These gardens focus on the
conservation of plant species, helping preserve rare and
endangered plants.
• Seed Banks: These banks store seeds of various plant
species, ensuring that genetic diversity is preserved for
future generations.
