BEE: KAS. A) (b) Zonly (c) both 1 and 2 (d) neither 1 nor 2 Within biological communities, some species are important in determining the ability of a large number of other species to persist in the community. Such species are called: [2000] (a) keystone species (b) allopatric species (c) sympatric species (4) threatened species Some species of plants are insectivorous Why? [2010] (a) their growth in shady and. dark places does not allow them to undertake sufficient photosynthesis and thus they depend on insects for nutrition. (b) they are adapted to grow in nitrogen deficient soils and thus depend on insects for sufficient —_ nitrogenous nutrition. (c) they cannot synthesize certain vitamins themselves and depend on the insects digested by them. (d) they have remained in that particular stage of evolution as living fossils, a link between autotrophs and heterotrophs. Consider the following statements : [2010] (1) Biodiversity hotspots are located only in tropical regions. (2) India has four biodiversity hotspots i.e., eastern himalayas, western himalayas, western ghats and andaman and nicobar islands. Which of the statements given above is / are correct? (a) 1 only {b) 2 only (c) both 4 and 2 (d) neither 1 nor 2 40. Consider the following statements: [2010] (1) The boundaries of a national park are defined by Legislation. (2) A biosphere reserve is declared to conserve a few Specific species of flora and fauna. (8) In a wildlife sanctuary, limited biotic interference is permitted. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (2) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (0) 1, 2and 3 11. Regular intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is recommended in the diet since they are a good source of antioxidants. How do antioxidants help a person Maintain health and promote longevity? (a) they activate the enzymes necessary for vitamin Synthesis in the body and help prevent vitamin deficiency (b) they prevent excessive oxidation of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body and help avoid unnecessary wastage of energy (0) they neutralize the free radicals produced in the body during metabolism (d) they activate certain genes in the cells of the body and help delay the ageing process 12. Which one of the following sets of elements was primarily responsible for the origin of life on the earth? [2012] 89VAJIRAM & RAV] TS (a) hydrogen, oxygen, sodium (b) carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen (c) oxygen, calcium, phosphorus (d) carbon, hydrogen, potassium Ans: 1c, 2-d, 3-a, 4—b, 5—b, 6-c,7- a,8—b,9-d,10-¢,11~¢,12-b 90EE VAR A « RAV) CHAPTER -7 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN INDIA A wide variety of living organisms including plants, animals and micro-organisms with whom we share this planet Earth, makes the world a beautiful place to live in. Living organisms exist almost everywhere from mountain peaks to the ocean depths; from deserts to the rainforests. They vary in their habit and behaviour, shapes, sizes and colour. The remarkable diversity of living organisms form an inseparable and significant part of our planet however, the ever increasing human population is posing serious threats to biodiversity. Biodiversity is not only essential for maintaining the ecological functions but also to provide the base for the livelihoods, cultures and economies of several hundred millions of people, including farmers, fisher folk, forest dwellers and artisans. The rapid erosion of biodiversity in the last few decades has impacted on the health of the land, water bodies and people. Hence, it has become imperative to conserve and protect our rich biodiversity. India, one of the 17 mega-diverse nations, is one of the richest nations in terms of biological diversity. With only 2.4 percent of the earth's land area, it accounts for 7-8 percent of the world’s recorded species. Home to 96,000 species of animals, 47,000 species of plants and nearly half the world’s aquatic plants, India’s management of its natural resources is crucial to protecting global biodiversity. India owes this to its position in the India has a great diversity of natural ecosystems ranging from the cold and high Himalayan regions to the sea coasts; from the wet north- eastern green forests to the dry north-western arid deserts; with different types of forests, wetlands, islands and the oceans. India consists | of fertile river plains and high plateaus and several major rivers, including the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Indus. tropical and subtropical latitudes. The diverse physical’ features and climatic situations have formed ecological habitats like forests, grasslands, Biodiversity Conservation —H# eS Jn situ Conservation Ex sine Conservation aaa [~ l Sacred plants Seed banks Botanic gardens Field gene banks —_Arboreta Zoological Cryopreservation —_ gardens Aquaria Home gardens Sacred groves Biosphere National parks sacredlakes reserves jife sanctuaries wetlands, coastal and marine ecosystems and desert ecosystems, which harbour and sustain immense biodiversity. There have been numerous strategies which have been adapted for the conservation of Biodiversity in India. Some policy and legal frameworks recently developed to protect the biodiversity are The Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, The Environment (Protection) Act 1986, The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 1999 and Biological Diversity Bill 2002. 1ee VASIRAM & RAVI LE The chapter on fundamental duties of the Indian Constitution clearly imposes duty on every citizen to protect environment. Article 51-A (g), says that “It shall be duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life and to have compassion for living creatures.” ‘Article 48-A of the constitution says that “the state shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country”. Conservation efforts can be grouped into the following two categories: 1. In-situ (on-site) conservation includes the protection of plants and animals within their natural habitats or in protected areas. Protected areas are land or sea dedicated to protect and maintain biodiversity. 2. Ex-situ (off-site) conservation of plants and animals outside their natural habitats. These include botanical gardens, zoo, gene banks, seed bank, tissue culture and cryopreservation. IN-SITU METHODS STRATEGY - A) PROTECTION OF HABITAT: A National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), chaired by the Prime Minister of India provides for policy framework for wildlife conservation in the country. The National Wildlife Action Pian (2002-2016) was adopted in 2002, emphasizing the people's participation and their support for wildlife conservation. The main strategy for conservation of species is the protection of habitats in representative ecosystems. ‘National Parks (NPs) 103 4050.13 1.23 Wildlife Sanctuaries (WLSs) 537 7116005.33 3.59 Conservation Reserves (CRs) | 67 7349.58 0.07 | Community Reserves 26 46.93 0.004 Protected Areas (PAs) 733 160901.77 Protected Area Network In India: India is unique in the richness and diversity of its vegetation and wildlife. India’s national parks and wildlife sanctuaries (including bird sanctuaries) with their rich bio-diversity and heritage are situated from Ladakh in Himalayas to southern tip of Tamil Nadu. The range and diversity of India's wildlife heritage is unique. India’s conservation planning is based on the philosophy of identifying _and protecting representative wild habitats across all the ecosystems. The Indian Constitution entails the subject of forests and \ildiife in the concurrent list. The Union Ministry acts as a guiding torch dealing with the policies and planning on wildlife conservation, while the provincial Forest Departments are vested with the responsibility of implementation of national policies and plans. National Parks This is an area having adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance. Similar to the Wildlife Sanctuaries, a National Park is defined by state government via notification. The state government can fix and alter boundarie The National Park with prior consultation and approval with National Board of Wildife.It is declared for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wildlfe or its environment. National Parks are considered as IUCN category II protected area: 92ee VASTRAM & RAV] State-Wise Break Up Of National Parks S.No. | Name of State/ Protected Area Year of Establishment | Area (km?) ‘Andaman & Nicobar Islands 7 ‘Campbell Bay NP 7992 426.23, 2 Galathea Bay NP 1992 110.00 3 Mahatama Gandhi Marine (Wandoor) NP 7983 281.50 4 Middle Button Island NP 1987 y 044 5 Mount Harriett NP 1987 46.62 6 North Button Island NP 1987 044 7 Rani Jhansi Marine NP 7996 256.14 8 ‘Saddle Peak NP 1987 32.54 9 ‘South Bution Island NP 1987 0.03 ‘Andhra Pradesh 1 Papikonda NP 2008 1012.86 2 Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) NP 2005 240 3 Sri Venkateswara NP 7989 353.62 ‘Arunachal Pradesh 1 Mouling NP 1986 483.00 2 Namdapha NP 1983 1807.82 Assam 1 Dibru-Saikhowa NP 1999 340.00 2 Kaziranga NP 1974 858.98 3 Manas NP 7990 500.00 a Nameri NP 1998 200.00 5 Rajiv Gandhi Orang NP 1099 7881 Bihar 1 Valmiki NP 1989 335.65 Chhattisgarh 1 [Satu Ghasidas Sanjay) NP 7987 1440.71 2 Indravati (Kutra) NP 1982 1258.57 3 Kanger Valley NP 1982 200,00 Goa 7 Mollem NP 1992 107.00 93ee VAJIRAM & RAV] Gujarat 7 Vansda NP 1979 23.99 2 Blackbuck (Velavadar) NP 1976 BASS 3 Git NP 1975 258.71 4 Marine (Gulf of Kachchh) NP 1982 162.89 Haryana 7 Kalesar NP 2003 46.82 2 ‘Sultanpur NP 1989 143 Himachal Pradesh 7 Great Himalayan NP 1984 754.40 2 Inderkilla NP 2010 104.00 aI Khirganga NP 2010 740.00 a Pin Valley NP 1987 675.00 5 Simbalbara NP 2010 27.88 Jammu & Kashmir 7 City Forest (Salim All) NP 7992 9.00 a Dachigam NP 1981 141.00 3 Hemis NP 7984 3350.00 4 Kishtwar NP 1981 425.00 Tharkhand 1 Betla NP 1986 226.33 Karnataka 7 ‘Anshi NP 1987 417.34 2 Bandipur NP 1974 874.20 3 Bannerghatia NP 1974 260.57 a Kudremukh NP 1987 600.32 5 Nagarahole (Rajiv Gandhi) NP 7988 643.39 Kerala 7 ‘Anamudi Shola NP 2003 750 2 Eravikulam NP 1978 97.00 3 Mathikettan Shola NP 2003 12.82 4 Pambadum Shola NP 2003 132 5 Periyar NP 1982 350.00 94ome CT A i 6 Silent Valley NP 1984 89.52 Madhya Pradesh 1 Bandhavgarh NP 1968 8.85 2 Fossil NP 1983 0.27 6 Indira Priyadarshini Pench NP 1975 292.65 3 Kanha NP’ 1955 940.00 4 Madhav NP 1959 , 376.22 5 Panna NP 7981 342.67 7 ‘Sanjay NP 7981 466.88 8 Satpura NP 7987 85.17 9 Van Vina NP 1979 445 Maharashtra 1 Chandoli NP 2004 317.67 2 ‘Gugamal NP 1975 361.28 3 Nawegaon NP 1975 733.68 4 Pench (Jawaharlal Nehru) NP 1975 257.26 5 ‘Sanjay Gandhi (Boriviliy NP 1983 86.96 6 Tadoba NP 7955 116.55 Manipur 7 Keibul-Lamjao NP 1977 40.00 Meghalaya i Balphakram NP 1985 220.00 2 Nokrek Ridge NP 1986 47.48 Mizoram 1 Murien NP 7997 700.00 2 Phawngpui Blue Mountain NP 7992 50.00 Nagaland 7 Intanki NP, 1993 202.02 Odisha 7 Bhitarkanika NP 7988 745.00 2 ‘Simiipal NP 7980 845.70 Rajasthan 7 Mukundra Hills NP 2006 200.54 95VAJIRAM & RAVI eerie; 2 Desert NP 1992 3162.00 3 Keoladeo Ghana NP 1981 28.73 4 Ranthambhore NP 7980 262.00 5 Sariska NP 71992 273.80 Sikkim 7 Khangchendzonga NP 7977 1784.00 Tamil Nadu 7 Guindy NP 7876 282 2 Gulf of Mannar Marine NP 7980 623 3 Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) NP 1989 117.10 4 Mudumalai NP 7990 103.23, 5 ‘Mukurthi NP 7990 7846 Telangana 7 Kasu Brahmananda Reddy NP 1994 143 2 Mahaveer Harina Vanasthali NP 1984 14.59 3 Mrugavani NP 7994 360 Tripura 7 Clouded Leopard NP 2007 508 2 Bison (Rajpari) NP 2007 31.63 Uttar Pradesh 7 Dudhwa NP 1977 490.00 Uttarakhand 1 Corbett NP 1936 520.62 2 Gangotri NP 71989 2390.02 3 Govind NP 1990 472.08 a Nanda Devi NP 1982 624.60 5 Rajaji NP 1983 20.00 6 Valley of Flowers NP 1982 87.50 West Bengal 7 Buxa NP 1992 T1710 z Gorumara NP 7992 79.45 3 Jaldapara NP 2014 216.51 4 Neora Valley NP 1986 169.69 96EE ARAM < RAV 5 Singalila NP 1986 78.60 6 ‘Sunderban NP 1984 1330.10 Wildlife Sanctuaries Sanctuary is an area which is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or Zoological significance. A wildlife sanctuary is defined by State Government via a Notification. There is no need to pass a legislation (act) by the state assembly to declare a wildlife sanctuary. Fixation and alternation of boundary can be done by state legislature via resolution The Sanctuary is declared for PN DIA Wildilife-Sanctuariess the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wildlife or its environment. Certain rights of people 97a ARAN A RA living inside the sanctuary could be permitted. Further, during the settlement of claims, before finally notifying the sanctuary, the Collector may, in consultation with the Chief Wildlife. Warden, allow the continuation of any right of any person in or over any land within the limits of the Sanctuary. Most of wildlife sanctuaries in India which are protecting endangered wildlife and flora, are coming under threat from various parts of human life. Many state governments are altering or allowing alteration in the areas of these sanctuaries. Other problem is created by the illegal mining or illegal encroachment of forest land. In recent survey, itis found that most of Indian wildlife sanctuaries have lost considerable land to government acquisition or land grab by mafia. Many big dam and rail projects have become threat to these sanctuaries. Illegal mining is another concern which is hearting the biodiversity of these sanctuaries and causing ecological imbalance. Only after the recent order of Supreme Court of India, few steps are taken to remove these illegal land grabs and stop land mining in wildlife sanctuaries, Difference Between A Sanctuary And A National Park The difference between a Sanctuary and a National Park mainly lies in the vesting of rights of people living inside such protected areas. © Unlike a Sanctuary where certain rights can be allowed, no rights are allowed in a National Park. ‘* No grazing of any livestock shall be permitted inside a National Park; while in a Sanctuary, the Chief Wildlife Warden may regulate, control or prohibit it. * In addition, while any removal or exploitation of wildlife_or for luce from a Sanctuary requires the recommendation of the State Board for Wildlife; in case of National Park, requires recommendation of the National Board for Wildlife (However, as per orders of the Supreme Court, ‘such removal’ exploitation from a Sanctuary also requires recommendation of the Standing ‘Committee of National Board for Wildlife). Restriction on Entry in Sanctuary Entry inside a sanctuary is restricted. No person other than, ‘© a public servant on duty; * a person who has been permitted by the Chief Wildlife Warden or the authorized officer to reside within the limits of the sanctuary; + aperson who has any right over immovable property within the limits of the sanctuary; «a person passing through the sanctuary along a public highway Sacred/Groves > Sacred groves of India are forest India has a long tradition of prudent use and wise | fragments of varying sizes which are conservation of all resources that are useful to people. | communally protected and which usually Forests have been the lifelines for forest-dwelling | have a significant religious connotation communities since ancient times. One method for | forthe protecting community. conservation of this green resource was the creation of sacred groves, usually dedicated to a local deity. A traditional means_of biodiversity conservation, these z groves can be considered the ancient equivalent of natural sanctuaries where all forms of living creatures are given protection by a deity. No one is permitted to cut any tree or plant, kill animals and birds, or harm any form of life in this area. Today, there are only about 1000 square kilometres of undisturbed sacred groves, scattered in patches all over the country. Only the groves in the remote and inaccessible areas remain untouched. While religious taboo protected them so far but now the decline of sacred groves can be attributed to the 98 prohibited within these patches. «Hunting and logging are usually strictly | |