Nature Conservation

India’s biodiversity is globally significant, marked by its variety of ecosystems, species, and genetic resources. Here’s what makes it unique:

• Megadiverse Nation: India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries, harbouring about 8% of the world’s recorded species despite covering only 2.4% of the Earth’s land area.

• Varied Ecosystems: The country has an extraordinary range of ecosystems, from the icy Himalayas to tropical rainforests, arid deserts, coastal mangroves, and coral reefs.

• Endemism: India harbours unique biodiversity, supporting around 11,554 endemic plant species and 28,537 endemic animal species. This means that 23.4% of India’s flora and 28% of its fauna are found nowhere else on Earth. The Western Ghats, in particular, are a hotspot, with up to 40% of plants being endemic. Unique habitats like the Indian savannahs are home to about 206 endemic plant species, with 43% of these discovered in the last two decades. Globally, India ranks tenth for bird endemism (69 species), fifth for reptiles (156 species), and seventh for amphibians (110 species). These statistics highlight the critical need for conservation efforts to protect these irreplaceable ecosystems.

• Biogeographic Zones: India’s biogeographic zones each offer unique habitats and ecosystems that support a rich array of flora and fauna. While the Trans-Himalayan and Himalayan Zone features high-altitude cold deserts, alpine meadows to subtropical forests, the Indian Desert Zone is characterized by its arid regions, and the Semi-Arid Zone includes grasslands and thorn forests. The Deccan Peninsula containing the Eastern Ghats is known for its dry deciduous forests, thorn and scrublands. While the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot which run almost parallel to the Eastern Ghats, feature lush rainforests. The Coastal Zone is renowned for its mangroves, estuaries, and diverse marine life. Collectively, these zones contribute to India’s ecological balance by supporting a variety of plant and animal life.

• Cultural and Biodiversity Interdependence: Indian traditions and livelihoods are deeply connected with nature, reflected in sacred groves, sustainable farming practices, and conservation ethos.

• Biodiversity Hotspots: India has four of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, Indo-Burma region, Western Ghats, and Sundaland (including the Nicobar Islands).
• Diverse Fauna and Flora: India is home to iconic species like the Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion, Asian elephant, and one-horned rhinoceros, Great Indian Bustard, Purple frog, Golden Mahsheer alongside a rich diversity of medicinal plants like Kutki, Elephant’s foot and Red Sanders.

This unique biodiversity underpins India’s ecological and cultural, and economic fabric, making its conservation a priority.