BIODIVERSITY

Chapter 2: Biodiversity Profile of India

Biodiversity Overview

  • Definition: Biodiversity includes all varieties of living organisms in a given area, encompassing diversity within species, between species, and across ecosystems.

  • Policy Developments:

    • NFP 1988: Shifted focus towards conservation alongside utilization of forests.

    • National Working Plan Code 2014 (NWPC): Emphasizes sustainable forest and biodiversity management.

    • 42nd Amendment of the Constitution (1976): Enhanced legal support for environmental protection via Articles 48 and 51A (g).

Cultural Ethos and Legal Framework for Conservation

  • Traditional Practices: Ethnic communities maintain cultural heritage and conservation practices rooted in harmony with nature.

  • Legal Acts:

    • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

    • Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980

    • Biological Diversity Act

    • Forest Rights Act, 2006: Recognizes the rights of forest-dwelling communities, supporting conservation efforts.

Historical Context

  • Colonial Policies:

    • Destruction of forests began in the 19th century for timber and land use.

    • Forest Policy, 1894: Focused on custodial and timber-driven management.

  • Post-Independence Forest Policy (1952): Aims to achieve 33% forest cover.

Ecosystem Diversity of India

Biogeographic Zones

  • Ten Biogeographic Zones (BZs):

    • Categorized based on distinctive ecological characteristics.

    • Each zone has sub-categories: Biotic Provinces, Land Regions, and Biomes.

Types of Terrestrial Ecosystems

  • Forest Types:

    • Sixteen forest types identified (Champion and Seth, 1968).

    • Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests (38.2%) and Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests (30.3%) are the most prevalent.

  • Grassland Ecosystems: Important for wildlife habitats and pastoral economies.

    • Types include alpine meadows, 'Chaurs', and savannas.

Mountain Ecosystems

  • Himalayas: Spanning 3,000 km with significant climatic and ecological diversity.

  • Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats: Important mountain ranges with various biodiversity hotspots.

Agrobiodiversity and Agroecosystems

  • Definition: Encompasses genetic diversity in crops, livestock, non-domesticated species, and supporting microflora.

  • Recognized as a primary center for crop origin, particularly for millets and cereals.

Status of Faunal and Floral Diversity

  • Floral Species:

    • 37% Angiosperms (18,386 species) represent the largest group in plant diversity.

  • Faunal Species:

    • 101,167 known species with approximately 28,537 endemics.

    • Total evaluated fauna increased from 4,681 (2014) to 5,507 (2018).

Challenges to Biodiversity Conservation

  • Population Pressure: Balancing development and conservation amidst rising population rates.

  • Habitat Fragmentation: Caused by urban development, agriculture, and technological changes.

  • Emerging Threats: Climate change, pollution, and invasive species pose significant risks.

Conservation Efforts

  • National Missions: Focus on environmental sustainability, education, and community involvement.

  • Policy and Legislative Framework: Institutional measures for sustainable biodiversity use.

  • Community Engagement: Involvement in conservation actions through education and awareness initiatives.