BIODIVERSITY
wonder wisdom that the happening of the earth summit at Rio De Janeiro, Brazil the term biodiversity has become a buzzword. In fact it is the contracted form of Biological Diversity . The term 'biodiversity' encompasses the variety of all life on earth. It is identified as the variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes of which they are part, including diversity within and between species and ecosystems
Biodiversity manifests itself at three levels:
Species diversity which refers to the numbers and kinds of living organisms Genetic diversity, which refers to the genetic variation within a population of species. Ecosystem diversity, which is the variety of habitats, biological communities and ecological processes that occur in the biosphere.
Convention on Biodiversity (CBD)
The three preambles of Biodiversity are: Conservation of Biodiversity Sustainable use of Biodiversity and leaving enough for the future generations. Fair and equitable sharing of Profits arising out of the use of biodiversity
Biological diversity affects us all. Biological diversity has direct consumptive value in food, agriculture, medicine, industry. It also has aesthetic and recreational value. Biodiversity maintains ecological balance and continues evolutionary process.
MEGABIODIVERSITY COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD
India is one of the twelve-mega biodiversity countries of the world and one of the four in Asia.
Megabiodiversity :Countries that contain as much as 7-8% per cent of the world's species. The twelve Megabiodiversity countries that have been identified are : India, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico, Madagascar, Zaire, Australia, China, Indonesia and Malaysia.
India's richness of biological diversity: *India lies at the confluence of African, European and Indo-Malaysian and the biota therefore, includes African,European , Eurasian and Mediterranean elements, which together with Indian and endemic elements contributes to the richness of the characteristic Indian biodiversity.
*India, being a vast country, shows a great diversity in climate,topography and geology and hence the country is very rich in terms of biological diversity.
India has ten biogeographic regions
1.The Trans- Himalayan, 2. The Himalayan, 3.The Indian desert, 4.The Semi-arid zone(s), 5.The Western Ghats 6. The Deccan Peninsula, 7. The Gangetic Plain, 8. The Northeast India, 9. The Islands and 10. The Coasts NE Himalyas Biogeographic Diversity in India
India figured with two hotspots - the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas, world's biologically richest and most threatened ecosystems.
These 2 hotspots that extend into India are the Western Ghats/Sri Lanka and the Indo-Burma region (covering the Eastern Himalayas); and they are included amongst the top eight most important hotspots. The hotspots are the areas with higher concentration of endemic species and which usually experience rapid rate of habitat modifications and loss.
Biosphere Reserves in India were created under the 'Man & Biosphere' (MAB) Programme by UNESCO in 1971 to conserve in situ all forms of life, along with its support system, in its totality, so that it could serve as a referral system for monitoring and evaluating changes in natural ecosystems. The first biosphere reserve of the world was established in 1979, since then the network of biosphere reserves has increased to 425 in 95 countries across the world (MAB, 2003). Presently, there are 14 existing biosphere reserves in India.
Presently, there are 14 existing Biosphere Reserves in India Date of Notification : Area (Sq.Kms) States 1.Nilgiri 01-09-1986 5,520.00 Karnataka, Kerala & T.N 2.Nanda Devi 18-01-1988 5,860.69 Uttaranchal 3.Nokrek 01-01-1988 80.00 Meghalaya 4.Great Nicobar 06-01-1989 885.00 Andaman & Islands Nicobar 5.Gulf of Mannar 18.02.1989 10,500.00 Tamil Nadu 6.Manas 14-03-1989 2,837.00 Assam 7.Sunderbans 29-03-1989 9,630.00 West Bengal 8.Simlipal 22-06-1994 4,374.00 Orissa 9.Dibru-Sikhowa 28-07-1997 765.00 Assam 10.Dehang-Debang 02-09-1998 5,111.50 A.P. 11.Pachmarhi 03-03-1999 4,926.00 M.P. 12.Khangchendzonga07-02-2000 2,619.92 Sikkim 13.Agasthyamalai 12-11-2001 1,701.00 Kerala 14. Amarkantak 2005 3,835..51 M.P. and Chhattishgarh
Himalayan Biosphere Reserves Operational:
1. Nanda Devi, Uttaranchal
2. Manas, Assam
3.Dibru-Shikowa, Assam
4.Dehang-Debang, Arunachal Pradesh
5. Kangchendzonga, Sikkim Proposed: 6 Namdhapa,Arunachal Pradesh 7.Kaziranga, Assam 8.Cold Desert, J & K
Ramsar Convention (1971)
An inter-governmental treaty on wetlands for conservation and wise use of Natural resources as also conservation of Waterfowl habitats (Ramsar,Iran,1971). There are 25 wetlands in India that have been identified as Ramsar Sites.
Ramsar Sites in India
1. Chilika Lake, Orissa
2. Harike Wetland, Punjab
3. Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan
4. Loktak Lake, Manipur
5. Sambar Lake, Rajasthan
6. Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
7. Kanji Lake Punjab
8. Ropar Lake, Punjab
9. East Kolkata wetlands,WB
10. Deepor Beel, Assam
11. Astamudi Lake, Kerala
12. Pong Dam Lake, H.P.
13. Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh
14. Bhitakanika Mangrovers, Orissa
15. Tsomoriri, J & K
16.` Point Calimere WLS, TN
17. Sasthamkota Lake, Kerala
18. Bhoj Wet;land, MP
19. Vembanad-Kol Wetland, Kerala
20.Chandertal Wetland, H.P.
21.Hokera Wetland, J.& K
22.Renuka Wetland, H.P.
23.Rudrasagar Lake, Tripura
24.Surinsar-Mansur Lakes,J& K
25.Upper Ganga River(Brijghat to Narora Stretch) * Notified on 8th Nov 2005
1. Chilika Lake, Orissa
2. Harike Wetland, Punjab
3. Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan
4. Loktak Lake, Manipur
5. Sambar Lake, Rajasthan
6. Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
7. Kanji Lake Punjab
8. Ropar Lake, Punjab
9. East Kolkata wetlands,WB
10. Deepor Beel, Assam
11. Astamudi Lake, Kerala
12. Pong Dam Lake, H.P.
13. Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh
14. Bhitakanika Mangrovers, Orissa
15. Tsomoriri, J & K
16.` Point Calimere WLS, TN
17. Sasthamkota Lake, Kerala
18. Bhoj Wet;land, MP
19. Vembanad-Kol Wetland, Kerala
20.Chandertal Wetland, H.P.
21.Hokera Wetland, J.& K
22.Renuka Wetland, H.P.
23.Rudrasagar Lake, Tripura
24.Surinsar-Mansur Lakes,J& K
25.Upper Ganga River(Brijghat to Narora Stretch) * Notified on 8th Nov 2005
The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, has identified more new wetlands and started the process of designation as Ramsar Sites in consultation with the World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India). These sites represent different aquatic habitats .The identified sites are: 1.Lali Sanctuary (Arunachal Pradesh) 2. Kabar Tal (Bihar), 3.Pulicat Lake (Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh), and 4. Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Protected Area Network (PA Network)
The protection of wildlife has been a long tradition in Indian history. Wise use of natural resources was a pre-requisite for many hunter-gatherer societies, which dates back to at least 6000 BC. The adoption of a National Policy for Wildlife Conservation in 1970 and the enactment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act in 1972 lead to a significant growth in the protected areas network. To maintain rich biological diversity of the Indian Himalayan Region a Protected area network (PAN) has been established and biodiversity rich areas have been conserved as Sanctuaries, National Parks and Biosphere Reserves The network was further strengthened by a number of national conservation projects, notably Project Tiger( initiated in April 1973)and the Crocodile Breeding and Management Project (Launched in April 1975 )
Presently , India has a Total number of 595 Wildlife Protected Areas: with an area of 155,978 km2 or 4.70% of the area, which constitutes 95 National Parks: with an area of 38,024.10 km2 or 1.16% of the area and 500 Wildlife sanctuaries: with an area of 117913.42km2 or 3.59% of the geographical area of India. 2 Conservation Reserves 2 Area Covered = 40.50 km2 Protected Areas
Tiger Reserves in India
Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in the year 1973 to save the endangered species of tiger in the country. Starting from nine (9) reserves in 1973-74 the number is grown up to twenty seven (28) in 1999-2000. A total area of 37,761 km2 is covered by these project tiger areas, which is 1.15% of the total geographical area of the country.
Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in the year 1973 to save the endangered species of tiger in the country. Starting from nine (9) reserves in 1973-74 the number is grown up to twenty seven (28) in 1999-2000. A total area of 37,761 km2 is covered by these project tiger areas, which is 1.15% of the total geographical area of the country.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES)
A successful international conservation treaties in restricting international trade in in endangered species Main Functions:To maintain its three appendices of species , for each of which a different extent of trade is allowed. Species in App-I are forbidden for international trade except with special permission. App-II species have controlled international trade. App.III species lists species whose trade is forbidden by certain countries but are not listed in other two appendices CITES members have to create National Management Authority, which co-ordinates with CITES Secretariat in Switzerland
Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (1979) ( Bonn Convention or CMS, 1979)
Provides strict protection for a list of species and also provides a frame work for collaborative conservation agreements between the states through which each species on second list migrate. Mainly applied to birds, but also has bats and dolphins. The Bonn convention also calls for research and surveys
Wildlife (Protection )Act 1972 Provides for protection of-Wild animals , Animal articles , and Plants.
The WL (P) Act regulates sale, barter etc of notified wild plants and animal species. It also provides control over keeping of wild animals in captivity.
The 1991 amendment covers the possession of notified plant species. The Act exercise control under the Schedules I-VI. Schedule I lists rare and endangered totally protected species.
Schedule II includes game species for which licenses can be issued under special circumstances.
Schedule III and Schedule IV comprises species of small games. Schedule V includes vermin, common crow, fruit bats, mice and rats.
Amendment 1991: Bird trade was stopped in 1991 following an amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Amendment 2006: The creation of a National Tiger Conservation Authority
Faunal Diversity in India
India has a total of 89,451 animal species accounting for 7.31% of the faunal species in the world (MoEF 1997) and the flora accounts for 10.78% of the global total. The endemism of Indian biodiversity is high - about 33% of the country's recorded flora are endemic to the country and are concentrated mainly in the North-East, Western Ghats, North-West Himalayas and the Andaman and Nicobar islands. However, this rich biodiversity of India is under severe threat owing to habitat destruction, degradation, fragmentation and over-exploitation of resources.
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Endemic SpeciesIndia has many endemic vertebrate species. Areas rich in endemism are northeast, the Western Ghats and the northwestern Himalayas. A small pocket of local endemism also occurs in the Eastern Ghats . The Gangetic plains are generally poor in endemics. Endemic Species are those whose distribution is restricted to certain limited area.
Threatened Species
The Threatened species are those that are often impoverished of low fecundity, dependent on patchy or unpredictable resources, extremely variable in population density, persecuted or otherwise prone to extinction in human dominated landscapes. Red Data Book (RDB) was developed during 1960s and the species were placed under various threatened categories according to the severity of the threats faced by them and the estimated eminence of their extinction. World Conservation monitoring Centre (WCMC) in collaboration with IUCN Species Survival commission network of the specialist groups compiles the IUCN Red list every two years since 1986.
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