Dr.

Lakshmi Hooda
Department of Environmental Studies
Zakir Husain Delhi College
Bio = life

Diversity =
variability
 Biodiversity
 This means the variability in the life is known as
Biodiversity.
 Here, the term variability depicts all life form on the
earth.
 Biodiversity encompasses all life forms, ecosystems,
and ecological processes, and acknowledges the
hierarchy at genetic, species and ecosystem levels
(UNEP).
 Or in simples words “the variability between genes,
species and ecosystems” is known as biodiversity.
 Or the totality of genes, species and ecosystem of a
region is knows biodiversity.
 The term biodiversity coined by Walter Rosen in 1985.
 Total species >129,000
 India has 2.4% of land area of the world but
contributes 11% plant species and 6.5% animal
species to global diversity.
The biological diversity
include three hierarchical
levels:
Genetic diversity
Species diversity
Ecosystem diversity
Genetic diversity refers as the variation of genes
within species.
All plants and animal species can not be
genetically similar.
the more diversity in a population, the more
chances in variation.
Each species consist of many organism and
generally no two organisms of a species are
genetically identical.
With the help of Biotechnology, the genes of
species can be manipulated and produce a lot of
desirable and new variety of species.
Eg: the variation in rice species, tomato, rose, new
breed of dogs etc.
The number of species of plant and animal
present in an region or community
constitute its species diversity.
The easiest way to quantify the species
diversity is to count the number of species in
the particular area i.e. species richness.
Such area which is very rich in species
diversity is know as Hotspots of diversity.
India is among 36 identified hotspots in the
world.
Diversity in the species at community or
ecosystem level known as ecosystem diversity.
Every ecosystem on the earth have their own
and distinctive species which is based on the
difference in habitat.
This distinction in the ecosystem can be due to
the landscape like forest, grasslands, deserts
and mountain as well as aquatic ecosystem
like river, lakes and seas.
Biogeographic classification
of India
On the basis of variation in geography,
climate, pattern of vegetation and various
communities of mammals, bird, reptiles,
amphibians, insects and other invertebrate,
India is classified into 10 major regions.
Each of these regions contain variety of
ecosystem such as forest, lakes, grasslands,
rivers, wetlands, mountains and hills which is
characterize by specific plant and animal
species.
 1. Trans-Himalayan
Region
Total area: 5.6%
Lie at very high altitude (4500-6000
mts) with cold and arid mountain
Areas of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir,
North Sikkim, Lahaul and Spiti areas of
Himachal Pradesh.
Sparse alpine steppe vegetation with
a lot of endemic species.
Habitat of wild sheep, goat, Yak and
other rare animal including Snow
Leopard and migratory Black necked
Crane.
 2. Himalayan Zone
Total area: 6.4%
It include some of the highest peak
in the world.
Away from trans-Himalayan zone
including Eastern Himalaya,
Central and Western Himalaya
Alpine and sub-alpine type of
forest having grassy meadow and
mixed deciduous forest.
Characterize with many types of
orchids, Rhododendrons
Various endangered species such
as Bharal, Ibex, Himalayan Tahr,
Musk Deer are found in this area.
 3. Desert
 Total area: 6.6%
 It include Thar and Kutch desert
 Tropical thorn forest comprises
with thorny plants such as Babul
(Accacia nilotica), Khejri
(Prosopis cineraria) etc.
 Various endangered species of
mammals such as Wolf, Caracal,
Desert Cat, Black buck and bird
like Houbara, Bustard, Great
Indian Bustard, Flamingo
Desert Cat Caracal
 4. Semi-Arid region
 Total area: 16.6%
 Transition zone between desert and dense
forest of Western Ghats
 It includes the arid desert areas of Thar and
Rajasthan extending to the Gulf of Kutch and
Cambay and the Whole Kathiawar Peninsula.
Euphorbia
 The natural vegetation consists of tropical
thorn forests and tropical dry deciduous
forests, moisture forests (extreme north).
 The rocky habitats are covered by bushes of
Euphorbia.
 The Asiatic lion (Leo persica) is restricted to
single site (Gir National Forest Reserve) found
in this zone.
 5. Western Ghats
 Total area: 4%
 Tropical evergreen forest and Hot spots
(Huge species richness)
 Extend from Tapti river in north to hills of
South in Kanyakumari.
 Dominant with various flora such as tea,
coffee, cocoa, rubber, cardamom etc.
 Significant endemic species include Nilgiri
Langur, Lion Tailed Macaque, Grizzled
Giat Squirrel, Malaber Civet, Malabar
Grey Hornbill, most amphibian species
etc.
 6. Deccan Plateau
 Total area: 42% (largest)
 Semi-arid region falls in the rain
shadow area of western ghats.
 It is bound by the Sathpura range on
the north, Western Ghats on the west
and Eastern Ghats on the east.
 Large part cover by tropical forest.
Most conserve forest of India in MP,
Maharashtra and Orissa.
 Various important timber species like
Sal and Teak found in this zone.
 Most wildlife species spread throughout
the region. E.g. chital, sambar, nilgai,
chowsingha etc.
Sambar Chital Chowsingha
 7. Gangetic Plain
 Total area: 10.8%
 Stretch from Yamuna river eastward across Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and coastal plains of
Orissa.
 It is topographically homogeneous and most
fertile agricultural land in the world.
 Large number of lakes, small wetlands, seasonal
swamps are found.
 Sal forest found along the Himalaya and dry
deciduous forest in the plains.
 Species getting threatened due to agriculture
expansion.
 The Gangetic Dolphin, Gharial are characteristic
aquatic animal of Ganga river.
 The characteristic fauna of this region include
Rhino Elephant, Buffalo, Swamp Deer, Hog-Deer
and Hispid Hare etc.
 8. The Coasts
 Total area: 2.5%
 The coastline from Gujarat to Sunderbans is
estimated to be 5,423 km long.
 Consist of sandy beaches, mangrove, mud
flats, coral reefs and marine angiosperm
pastures.
 The natural vegetation consist of
mangroves.
 However, the densely populated
Lakshadweep islands virtually have no
natural vegetation.
 There are 26 species of fresh water turtles
and tortoises in India and 5 species of
marine turtles, which inhabit and feed in
coastal waters and lay their eggs on
suitable beaches. Tortoise live and breed
mainly on the land.
 9. North East Region
 Total area: 5.2%
 Transition zone between the Indian,
Indo-Malayan and Indo-Chinese regions
as well as meeting place of Himalayan
mountains and Peninsula India.
 40% of the zone covered by state of
Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram,
Nagaland and Tripura is forest.
 Part of Eastern Himalayan hotspot.
 Botanically Khasi-Jantia hills of Golden langoor
Large Indian
Meghalaya are known as one of the Civet
richest in Asia
 Among animals, the hornbill and the
small carnivore communities display a
species richness not known anywhere.
E.g. Large Indian Civet
Red Panda Golden cat
 10. The Islands
 Total area: 0.3%
 Two parts (348 islands)
 The Andman and Nicobar islands: Bay of
Bengal have Tropical rainforest
 Lakshadweep islands: Arabian sea have
little remaining vegetation
 The islands are center of high endemism and
contain India’s finest evergreen forests and
support a wide diversity of corals.
 Coral reefs are stretched over an area of
11,000 sq.km. in the Andamans and 2,700
sq.km. in Nicobar.
 Some of the endemic fauna of Andaman &
Nicobar islands include Narcondam hornbill,
South Andaman krait etc.
• There are a lot of direct and indirect benefits derive by
Human from living world.
• The biodiversity is the source of food, medicine,
pharmaceutical, drugs, fibers, rubber, timber and natural
products that sustain global trade.
• The diversity of organism provide many ecological
services free of cost for the health of ecosystem and
human too.
• The uses of biodiversity are briefly described below:
1. Consumptive use value
2. Productive use value
3. Social value
4. Ethical and Moral value
5. Aesthetic value
6. Option value
 Direct utilization of timber, food, fuelwood and fodder by local
communities.
 Out of several edible plants species, only less than 20 plant species are
cultivated to produce about 85% of world food.
 Wheat, corn and rice are three most important crop provide
carbohydrate for two-third of human population.
 Forest dwellers needs food, building material, fodder, medicines and
variety of other products for daily use.
 Fisherfolk are completely dependent upon fish.
 Plant account for more than 80% of human diet.
 Fish provide about 3 billion people with most of their intake of animal
protein.
 It comprises the derivative of food product as
marketable goods.
 For pharmacist: the biodiversity act as raw material
for new drug identified from plant and animals.
 For industrialist: the biodiversity act as storehouse to
develop new products.
 For the agricultural scientist: the biodiversity in the
wild use for developing better crops.
 The pharmaceuticals industries are very much
dependent on identification of great economic
value compound of wild species of plant in
undisturbed natural forest.
 Other derived products: Example: tusks of
elephants, musk from musk deer, silk from silk-worm,
wool from sheep, fur of many animals, lac from lac
insects etc
Commonly used modern drugs derived from plant sources
Drug Plant source Use
Atropine Belladonna Anticholinergic; reduces
intestinal pain in diarrhea

Caffeine Tea, Coffee Stimulant

Codeine, Morphine Opium poppy Analgesic
Camphor Camphor tree Rubefacient: Increase
local blood supply

Menthal Mint Rubefacient: Increase

local blood supply,
reduce pain
Papain Papaya Dissolve exess protein and
muscle during digestion

Penicillin penicillum fungi Antibiotic

Quinine Yellow cinchona Antimalarial
Reserpine Indian snakeroot Reduce high blood
pressure
 Human cultures co-evolves with their
environment, and the biological
diversity can be important for cultural
identity of a region Biological diversity is
an integral part of many areas across
the globe valued for tourism and
recreational purposes.
 These are the values associated with the
social life, customs, religion and aspects
of the people. Many of the plants are
considered holy and sacred in our
country like Tulsi (holy basil), Peepal,
Mango, Lotus, Bael etc
 Many animals like Cow, snake, Bull,
Peacock, Owl etc have significant place
in psycho-spiritual arena and thus hold
social importance.
 It is based on the importance of protecting of all
forms of life with the concept of "Live and Let Live".
 Every creature of the earth has right to live on the
earth. We are one of a species out of this. So, we
don’t have right to destroy this. We should conserve
this.
 Natural worship is an age old tribal belief based on
the premise that all creations of nature have to be
protected.
 A large number of sacred grooves found in several
states of India which is preserved by tribal people.
 The sacred grooves around these sites act as gene
banks for wild plants.
e.g. Kovil Kadu, Sacred grooves of Sikkim
 The biodiversity has great aesthetic value
 Another reason to preserve the biodiversity is the
its inherent value and beauty.
 Any natural activities and its vicinity attract us.
For example, listening the birds, watching a
complex web of spider, flowing of river, fish
feeding etc.
 The symbol and vehicles of God and Goddess in
Hinduism have very important and devotional
value.
 Example: Mouse is the vehicle of Lord
Ganesha, Snakes as a symbol of Lord Shiva
etc.
 The presence of Tulsi in our courtyard of
household for centuries
 Sacred plant in Indian village: Pipal (Ficus
Religiosa), Khejri (Prosopis cineraria) etc.
 It is uncertain about any species of plant
and animal which can use in future.
 Keeping this value open for future is
known as option value.
 There is a possibility that we may have
some potential cure for AIDS or cancer
existing within the depths of a marine
ecosystem, or a tropical rainforest
 For example: the production of Biofuels
from Jatropha sp. or any other species
can be an alternative of fossil fuel for
automobile in future.
 It is expected that 3 to 100 million species lie on the earth surface.
 Out of these 1.78 million species are known and described in the
database.
 The economically developed nations exploited the biodiversity for their
development.
 After realization of biodiversity as a ‘common property resources’ for all
the nations, the developed nations started the practices of biodiversity
conservation.
 The country which are moving towards biodiversity conservation are
being recognized.
 The country like India is a signatory in the World Heritage Convention
(1972) and included several protected areas as world heritage sites.
Cont…
This convention include Nanda Devi and valley of flower in
the Himalaya, Sundarban in West Bengal, Western Ghats,
Kaziranga in Assam, Manas on the border of Bhutan and
India and Great Himalayan National Park.
India has also signed the Convention in the Trade of
Endangered Species (CITES, 1973) to control the utilization
of endangered plant and animals.
MoEF, a agency to implement CBD (Convention on
Biodiversity) developed the strategy for Biodiversity
conservation and got the Biodiversity Act in 2002.
 The biodiversity is not evenly distribute
throughout the Globe.
 The countries lying mostly in tropics are
characterized by high species richness
and more endemic species, called Mega
diversity nations.
 About 17 countries belong to this category
till date.
 India is known for its rich biological diversity
which is in the top 10 or 15 countries.
 Even India has only 2.8% of land of the
world but it accounts for 8.1% of the
recorded species of the world.
 Total species >129,000
17,450 Angiosperms About 33%
65 Gymnosperms flowering plants,
1200 Pteridophytes
44 mammal,
2426 Bryophytes
2021 Lichens 55 bird,
14,500 Fungi 187 reptile
6500 Algae 110 amphibian
91206 species of fauna spp are endemic

New species continue to be discovered

 Myers introduced the term “Biodiversity hotspot” in 1988 which include a geographical region
having:
 Rich endemic, rare and endangered species
 Relatively in small area
 Facing significant threat of habitat loss.
 Two main criteria to qualify as a Hotspot:
 it must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (> 0.5% of the world’s total) as
endemics
 it has to have lost at least 70% of its original habitat.
 Around the world, 36 areas are qualify as hotspots. They just cover 2.3% of Earth’s land surface
but they support:
 More than half of world plant species as endemics
 About 43% of bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species as endemics.
 There are total 36 hotspots identified in the world. Among them four hotspot are partially
located in India
 Himalaya: Includes the entire Indian Himalayan region
(and that falling in Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China
and Myanmar)
 Indo-Burma: Includes entire North-eastern India, except
Assam and Andaman group of Islands (and Myanmar,
Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and southern
China)
 Sundalands: Includes Nicobar group of Islands (and
Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines)
 Western Ghats and Sri Lanka: Includes entire Western
Ghats (and Sri Lanka)
Sundaland:
25,000 Plant species (15,000 endemic)
380 Mammal species (172 endemic)
452 Reptile species (243 endemic)
244 Amphibian species (196 endemic)
Andaman and Nicobar alone have 2200 flowering
plants and 120 species of fern.
The Northeastern state have 1500 endemic plant
species
The Western Ghat is also a habitat of 1500
endemic plant species.
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Introduction of Alien Invasive
species
Disturbance and pollution
Harvesting and Overexploitation
Intensive agriculture and forestry
Climate change
 Habitat loss and
fragmentation
 Forest and grassland turned into desert
 Wasteland is increasing
 Mangroves get cleared for fuelwood and prawn
forming leads of habitat loss of marine fish.
 Human activities likely to eliminate approx. 10 million sp.
By the year 2050
 Rate of disappearance of tropical forest in India: 0.6%
per year.
 Examples:
 Extinction of Dodo in Madagascar
 Breeding and feeding habitat get affected by DAM

Dodo
 Alien/ Invasive species

lantana bushes
 Introduction of exotic weed and
disappearance of native species through
biotic interaction.
 Examples: lantana bushes, Eupatorium
shrubs, congress grass and water hyacinth. water hyacinth

 The invasive species is a threat for island

ecosystem due to lack of competitors and
predators that control the population of congress grass
native ecosystem.
Amazon sailfin catfish
 Amazon sailfin catfish responsible for
destruction of fish population of wetlands
of Kolkata.
Disturbance and pollution
natural man-made
 Natural disturbance are very much differ
from man-made disturbance. Eg. Fire
 Some human disturbance like synthetic
compounds, pesticides, massive release of
radiation or spillover of oil in sea. spillover of oil in sea
 Pollution due to pesticides. Eg. Pesticides
linked with declining of fish eating birds
and falcon.
 Biomagnification
 Nitrogen deposition
 Eutrophication (nutrient enrichment)
 Effect of anti-inflammatory drug
(diclofenac) on vultures.
 Harvesting and overexploitation

 The exploitation include:

Hunting
Fisheries
The impact of trade in species and
species parts
 Due to exploitation, many species are
getting threated at global level such as
birds (30%), mammals (33%), amphibians
(6%), reptiles and marine fishes.
 The fishing often takes large incidental
catches of non-target species, and
trawling can destroy whole marine
communities that lives on sea floor.
 Cont…
 Illegal poaching of animal for large
economic benefits.
Eg. Skin and bones of tigers, ivory of
elephants, horns of rhinos, perfumes of
the musk deer.
Coral and shells use to sell on the
beaches of Chennai, Kanyakumari,
and Andaman and Nicobar islands.
 Many medicinal plants are getting
overharvested that lead for threated of
these species.
 Man wildlife conflicts
 Due to conflicts between man and wildlife, both
become threat for each other.
Examples:
 195 humans were killed in Sambalpur, Orissa.
And in counter attack, the villagers killed 98
elephants and badly injured 30 elephants.
 In 2004, two men were killed by leopards in
Powai, Mumbai.
 The major cause of confliction between man and
wildlife are:
 The damage of crops (food for animal) such as
cotton, sugarcane etc.
 Electrification of agricultural field.
 Cont…
Dwindling habitats of tigers, elephants,
rhinos, bears.
Ill, weak, and injured animal have a
tendency to attack man.
pelicans painted storks
Due to development of human
settlement
Low cash compensation by the
government.
 Kokkare Bellur, Karnataka: Coexistence
(Human and wildlife) ibis

Promote for breeding and nesting of

pelicans, painted storks, ibis and other
migratory bird by planting more trees
(like Tamarandus sp.).
 Climate change

 Climate change is a major threat for all the

species present on the globe.
 Due to climate change, the global
temperature is rising (0.74 ºC in global mean
surface temperature relative to pre-industrial
levels), more extreme weather events,
changing pattern of rainfall and drought can
expected to have significant impacts on
biodiversity.
 It can affect directly and indirectly to the
species in the form of:
 Loss of polar habitat
 Ocean acidification
 Loss of coral reefs
 Shifting of weather
 Effect on food chain
The IUCN Red List Categories

 The IUCN Red List is a catalogue of taxa that are facing the risk of
extinction.
 IUCN was established in 1948.
 It was previously called the International Union for the Protection
of Nature (1948–1956) and the World Conservation Union (1990–
2008).
 At present it is known as International Union for the Conservation
of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) which has recognized
nine Red List Categories of species:
 Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered,
Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least concern, Data Deficient and Not
Evaluated.
 The Red Data List of Red Book include mainly the “threatened”
species which is a group of three categories (Critically
Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable)
 The ICUN Threat categories

Red list category Abbreviation Definition

Extinct EX Species is Extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the
last individual has died.
Extinct in the Wild EW Species is Extinct in the wild when exhaustive surveys in known
and/or expected habitats, have failed to record an
individual.
Critically Endangered CR Species is critically endangered when it is facing and
extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate
future.
Endangered EN Species is endangered when it is not critically endangered
but it is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the
near future.
OR, The endangered species are those living organisms which
are almost on the verge of extinction.
Vulnerable VU Species is vulnerable when it is not Critically Endangered or
Endangered but is facing a very high risk of extinction in the
wild in the medium-term future.
Near Threatened NT Species that do not qualify for critically endangered,
endangered or vulnerable but are close to qualifying for a
threatened category in the near future.
Least Concern LC Species is lower risk when it has been evaluated and dose
not satisfy the criteria for critically endangered, endangered
or vulnerable or near threatened.
Data Deficient DD Species is Data Deficient when there is inadequate information
to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of
extinction.
Not Evaluated NE Species is Not Evaluated when it has not yet been assessed
against the above criteria.
 Threatened species of India
 India has 614 animal species
(4.9% of world total species)
on IUCN Red List categories.
 It contain more than 321
globally threatened plant
species.
 Thousands of species of plants
and animals are endangered
and the number increases
each year.
 Unknown number of species
of insects are endangered.
Fig: The number of plant and animal species of
various threat categories in India
 List of Threatened plant species of
India (IUCN, 2003)

Berberis nilghiriensis of Kingiodendron Saraca asoca (found

Nilgiri of Tamil Nadu pinnatum (Found In in the south and
Western Ghats in Tamil central Western Ghats
Nadu) and Sri Lanka)
 List of Threatened animal species of
India (IUCN, 2003)

Malabar Civet (Endemic to Red panda (native of Blackbuck (Indian antelope)

Eastern Himalaya) found in Grassland and Desert
 Endangered Species

Ganges River Dolphin Amur Tiger Royal Bengal Tiger

Black-footed Ferret Blue Whale Blue Fin Tuna

Giant Panda Pigmy Hog

Snow Leopard Hispid Hare

 Endemic species of India
 When a species is found only in a particular geographical region because of its
isolation, soil and climatic conditions, it is said to be endemic.
 India is one of the 17 megadiversity county in the world.
 33% of flowering plant of India is endemic to our country.
 It is also the land of endemic fauna.
 For example, 53% of freshwater fishes, 60% amphibians, 36% reptiles and 10%
mammals are endemic.
 The endemic are concentrated mainly in north-east, Western Ghats, north-
west Himalaya and Andaman Nicobar Islands.
 Other species are found only in India and are thus endemic or restricted to
our country.
 Some of these may have very
localized distribution and are considered highly endemic.
 To protect endangered species, India has created the Wildlife Protection
Act (1972). This includes lists of plants and animals categorized according
to the threat on their survival.
 Endemic species in India

Tiger Dhole (Indian wild dog) Snow leopard is an

endangered species
found along the Himalayas

Golden Langur Black Buck Asiatic lion

Indian peacock Lion tailed macaque Brown fish Owl (mainly found in
(Western Ghats) subtropical region )

Indian cobra Clouded leopard (foothills Indian elephant

of Himalaya)
 Indian vulture Red panda (Eastern Himalaya) Olive ridley turtles found at the
coast of Orissa (Case Study:
Operation Kachhapa)

Oplismenus thwaitesii Gymnostachyum Impatiens sivarajanii

(Basket grass) febrifugum (flowering plant)
(medicinal plant)
10
Ornithochilus cacharensis
(Orchid)

Nepenthes khasiana
(Pitcher plant)

Phalaenopsis speciosa
(Orchid)

Dendrobium
secundum
(Toothbrush orchid
endemic to Sikkim)
 Some specific taxon
Types of species Categories Importance Selected examples
High impact species Keystone Removal of species affects Palm and fig trees in
species persistence of others, impact peruvian rain forest
disproportionate to
abundance
Conservation focus Umbrella Protection of its occupancy Protected range of large
species species area encapsulates other mammals and birds
species become reserves for
other species with
smaller ranges
Flagship Popular charismatic Condors, pandas, rhinos,
species (attractive) spp. to stimulate large cats, large
conservation awareness and primates, orchid, cactus
action
 Keystone species are species whose roles have a large effect on the types
and abundances of other species in an ecosystem.
 Keystone species can play several critical roles in helping to sustain
ecosystems. One such role is pollination of flowering plant species by bees,
butterflies, hummingbirds, bats, and other species. In addition, top predator
keystone species feed on and help to regulate the populations of other
species. Examples are the alligator, wolf, leopard, lion, and some shark
species. The loss of a keystone species can lead to population crashes and
extinctions of other species in a community that depends on it for certain
ecological services. This is why it so important for scientists to identify and
protect keystone species.
 Common plant species
Teak Sal Mango
Ficus Neem Tamarind
(keystone
species)
Babul Jamun Tendu
Jackfruit Flame of the Coral tree Zizyphus
forest (Butea
monosperma)
Amla Dipeterocarps Quercus
Pine Cycads Coconut
Drosera
Orchids Drosera Lotus
Grasses Bamboo Zizyphus

Coral tree
 Common animal species
Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Invertebrates Marine life

Chital, Paradise King cobra, Bullfrog, Crab, Marine turtle,

Hangul, flycatcher, Fan-throated tree frog, Beetle, and whales
Barasingha, Bird of prey, lizard, Snail, etc.
Blackbuck, Bee-eater, Monitor Spider
Nilgai, Hornbill, lizard,
Chinkara, Great Indian Star tortoise,
Indian wild Bustard, Gharial
ass, Patridge,
Tiger, Stilt,
Nilgiri tahr, Flamingo,
Lion, Pelicans
Leopard,
Snow
leopard, Fox,
Lion-tailed
macaques
Biodiversity conservation strategies
In situ Ex-situ

Protected Botanical Zoological

areas garden park

National
Gene bank
park

Wildlife
sanctuaries

Biosphere
reserves

Conservatio
n Reserves

Community
reserves

Marine
Protected
Areas
Protected Areas of India (as on July,
2018)
No. Total area % coverage
(Km2)
National Parks 104 40501.03 1.23

Wildlife 544 118931.8 3.62

Sanctuaries
Conservation 77 2594.03 0.08
reserves
Community 46 72.61 0.002
reserves
Biosphere 18
Reserves
Marine 106
protected
areas
Source: http://www.wiienvis.nic.in/Database/Protected_Area_854.aspx
 National parks
 This is an area dedicated for the conservation of
wildlife along with its environment. It is also made for
enjoyment through tourism with its environment.
 There are 104 existing national parks in India covering
an area of 40,501 km2, which is 1.23% of the
geographical area of the country (National Wildlife
Database, Aug. 2018).
 In addition to the above 75 National Parks covering an
area of 16,608 km2 are proposed in the Protected Area
Network Report (Rodgers & Panwar 1988).
 The network of parks will go up 179 after full
implementation of the above report.
 The Jim Carbett National Park in Uttarakhand was the
first national park established in India.
 Manas National Park, Assam is the house of approx. 20
highly endangered species such as Hispid Hare and
Pigmy Hog.
Some important national parks in
India
Name of National State Important Wildlife
Park
Kaziranga Assam One horned Rhino
Gir National Park Gujarat Indian Lion
Dachigam J&K Hangul
Bandipur Karnataka Elephant
Periyar Kerala Elephant, Tiger
Kanha M.P. Tiger
Corbett U.P. Tiger
Dudwa U.P. Tiger
Ranthambore Rajasthan Tiger
Sariska Rajasthan Tiger
Wildlife Sanctuaries (category IV)

 Wildlife sanctuaries are also protected

areas where killing, hunting, shooting or
capturing of wildlife is prohibited except
under the control of highest authority.
 There are 543 existing wildlife sanctuaries
in India covering an area of 118,918 km2,
which is 3.62 % of the geographical area
of the country (National Wildlife
Database, June, 2017).
Some important Wildlife Sanctuaries
of India
Name of State Major Wild Life
Sanctuary
Ghana Bird Rajasthan 300 species of birds
Sanctuary (including migratory)
Hazaribagh Bihar Tiger, Leopard
Sanctuary
Sultanpur Bird Haryana Migratory birds
Sanctuary
Nal Sarovar Bird Gujarat Water birds
Sanctuary
Abohar Wildlife Tamil Tiger, Elephant, Leopard
Sanctuary Nadu
Vedanthangal Tamil Water bird
Bird Sanctuary Nadu
Jaldapara Wild W. Bengal Rhinoceros, Elephant, Tiger
Life Sanctuary
Wild Ass Gujarat Wild Ass, Wolf, Nilgai,
Sanctuary Chinkara
 Biosphere Reserves
 The Biosphere Reserves conserve some
representative ecosystem as a whole
for long term in situ conservation.
 The Biosphere Reserves are site
established by countries and
recognized under UNESCO's Man and
the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
 The programme of Biosphere Reserve
was initiated by UNESCO in 1971.
 There are network of 631 biosphere
reserves in 119 countries in the world. 9
out of 18 Biosphere Reserve in India are
the part of this network.
 Within the Biosphere reserves, there
may have one or more National Parks.
Example: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserves has
two National Parks i.e. Bandipur and
Nadarhole National Park.
List of Biosphere reserve in India
Date of
S. No. Name Notification
1 Nilgiri 01.09.1986
2 Nanda Devi 18.01.1988
3 Nokrek 01.09.1988
4 Great Nicobar 06.01.1989
5 Gulf of Mannar 18.02.1989
6 Manas 14.03.1989
7 Sunderbans 29.03.1989
8 Simlipal 21.06.1994
9 Dibru-Saikhowa 28.07.1997
10 Dehang-Dibang 02.09.1998
11 Pachmarhi 03.03.1999
12 Khangchendzonga 07.02.2000
13 Agasthyamalai 12.11.2001
Achanakamar -
14 30.3.2005
Amarkantak
15 Kachchh 29.01.2008
16 Cold Desert 28.08.2009
17 Seshachalam Hills 20.09.2010
18 Panna 25.08.2011
Note: The 9 Biosphere Reserves in bold are part
of World network of Biosphere Reserves
Ex situ conservation
➢ This is an artificial conservation of those
species which are so close to extinction in the
future.
➢ This type of strategy is known as ex situ
conservation where the species are
conserving outside its natural habitat in
carefully controlled situation.
➢ This type of strategy is very helpful for the
conservation of crop varieties, the wild
relatives of crops and all the local varieties
by conserving the total genetic variability of
the crops species for future crop
improvement or afforestation programmes.
▪ Ex-situ conservation of plant genetic
resources can be achieved through
different methods such as
▪ Gene Sanctuaries
▪ Seed banks,
▪ Field gene banks,
▪ In vitro storage methods,
▪ Pollen banks and
▪ DNA banks.
 Cont…
 A place where germplasm is conserved in the form of seeds is
called seed gene bank. Seed gene bank is the easiest way to
store germplasm of wild and cultivated plant at low
temperature in cold rooms.
 Preservation of genetic resources is also carried out in field
gene banks under normal growing condition in the case of
plants, which do not produce seeds (e.g. bananas).
 In India, there are some gene bank/seed bank facilities:
 National bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) is located in
New Delhi and seeds, pollen etc. preserved by cryo-preservation by
using liquid nitrogen at temperature as low as -1960C (in vitro
storage method).
 National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) located at
Karnal, Haryana and preserve genes of domesticated bovine
animals.
 National Facility for Plant Tissue Culture Repository (NFPTCR) provide
facility for the conservation of varieties of crops plants/trees by
tissue culture.
 The DNA bank help to regenerate whole plants but the genetic
material can be introduced to other genotypes for plant
breeding and enhancement (Polymerase Chain Reaction: PCR)
purposes.
Botanical garden and Zoological park
in India
 There are various botanical garden and zoological park are established for
the conservation of flora and fauna in an artificial condition.
 The botanical garden mainly use for research and educational purposes.
 The first botanical Garden of the country was established in Nashik.
 There are a lot of zoological park or zoo are listed in India.
 The oldest zoo in India is Junagarh zoo.
 Beej Bachao Andolan

 Begin in the late 1980s, led by farmer

and social activist Vijay Jardhari.
 The Andolan started in the village
Jardhargaon of district Tehri,
Uttaranchal, famous for its unique
movement to save the traditional
seeds of the hills.
PROJECT TIGER

 During the tenure of late Prime Minister, Indira

Gandhi, an ambitious project to protect the
population of Tigers in India was launched.
 The “Project Tiger” was formed in 1972 and
launched on 1st April 1973 at Jim Corbett National
Park at Uttaranchal.
 Project Tiger Scheme has been under
implementation since 1973 as a Centrally
Sponsored Scheme of Government of India.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

 Project Tiger was meant to identify the limiting factors and to

mitigate them by suitable management.
 The damages done to the habitat were to be rectified so as to
facilitate the recovery of the ecosystem to the maximum possible
extent.
 The project aims at tiger conservation in specially constituted
tiger reserves, falling in regions within India.
 It strives to maintain a viable tiger population in the natural
environment.
Vulture breeding programe

What are vultures?

•Scavenging birds
• Found on every continent except Antarctica and
Australia.
• Characteristic of many vultures is a bald head,
devoid of normal feathers. Mystery, Myth and
Legend.
• Earlier, considered sacred in Hindu mythology. The
bird died while trying to rescue Sita, the wife of
Hindu god- king Ram.
• Now unpopular: – Dismissed as dirty scavengers. –
Used as a metaphor for those who prey on the weak
or dying – Associated with negative connotations of
cowardice and selfishness.
 The Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre (VCBC) is a joint project of
the Haryana Forest Department and the Bombay Natural History
Society (BNHS). It is a collaborative initiative to save the three species
of vultures, the White-backed, Long-billed and Slender-billed, from
looming extinction.

 The VCBC, earlier known as Vulture Care Centre (VCC), was

established in September 2001.

 The centre played an important role in confirming that diclofenac, a

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, given to cattle to treat pain and
inflammation, was the main cause of vulture mortality and population
crash in vultures.