Biodiversity Conservation in India: Importance, Threats, and Strategies

Posted on Sep 2, 2024 in Geography

Biodiversity and its Importance

Humans, along with all living organisms, form a complex web of ecological systems. We are only a part of this intricate web and are heavily dependent on it for our very existence. Plants, animals, and microorganisms play a crucial role in maintaining the quality of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil that produces our food—elements essential for our survival. Forests, as primary producers, hold a key position in this ecological system, supporting all other life forms.

Biodiversity, short for Biological Diversity, encompasses the immense richness of wildlife and cultivated species. It thrives on diversity in form and function, with all elements closely integrated through multiple networks of interdependencies.

Flora and Fauna in India

India stands as one of the world’s most biologically diverse countries, harboring nearly 8% of the planet’s total species (estimated at 1.6 million). This incredible array of flora and fauna is deeply intertwined with our daily lives, often taken for granted. However, in recent times, these natural treasures have come under immense stress, primarily due to our insensitivity towards the environment.

India is home to over 81,000 species of fauna and 47,000 species of flora. Of the plant species, 15,000 flowering species are endemic (indigenous) to India. Alarmingly, at least 10% of India’s recorded wild flora and 20% of its mammals are on the threatened list. Many of these are now categorized as ‘critical,’ meaning they are on the verge of extinction. Examples include the cheetah, pink-headed duck, mountain quail, forest spotted owlet, and plant species like Madhuca insignis, a type of grass. The actual number of species lost remains unknown.

The statistics paint a grim picture: 79 species of mammals, 44 of birds, 15 of reptiles, and 3 of amphibians are threatened. Additionally, 1,500 plant species are considered endangered. The extinction rate of flowering plants and vertebrate animals is estimated to be 50 to 100 times higher than the average expected natural rate.

Vanishing Forests

Deforestation in India is a pressing concern. While the country’s forest and tree cover is estimated at 78.92 million hectares (24.01% of the total geographical area), the dense forest cover has seen only a marginal increase, largely attributed to plantations. The State of Forest Report (2013) reveals that this apparent increase is primarily due to plantation efforts by various agencies.

Classification of Species

Based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), species can be classified as follows:

• Normal Species: Species with population levels considered normal for their survival (e.g., cattle, sal, pine, rodents).
• Endangered Species: Species in danger of extinction, facing survival challenges if negative factors persist (e.g., blackbuck, crocodile, Indian wild pig, Indian rhino, lion-tailed macaque, sangai).
• Vulnerable Species: Species with declining populations, likely to become endangered if negative factors continue (e.g., blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin).
• Rare Species: Species with small populations, susceptible to endangerment or vulnerability if threats persist (e.g., Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox, hornbill).
• Endemic Species: Species found only in specific areas, often isolated by natural or geographical barriers (e.g., Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig, mithun in Arunachal Pradesh).
• Extinct Species: Species not found after searches in known or likely habitats, indicating extinction from a local area, region, country, continent, or the entire earth (e.g., Asiatic cheetah, pink-headed duck).

Causes of Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss

The most significant damage to Indian forests occurred during the colonial period due to the expansion of railways, agriculture, commercial and scientific forestry, and mining. Even after independence, agricultural expansion remains a major cause of forest depletion. Between 1951 and 1980, over 26,200 sq. km. of forest land was converted for agriculture.

Other contributing factors include:

• Shifting cultivation (jhum), a type of ‘slash and burn’ agriculture practiced in tribal belts.
• Large-scale development projects, such as river valley projects that have cleared vast forest areas.
• Mining, which disrupts natural habitats and migration routes.
• Grazing and fuel-wood collection, although a substantial part of the demand is met through lopping rather than felling entire trees.

The exploitation of forest resources to meet the demands of the growing industrial-urban economy poses a significant threat. Conflicts arise as protected areas hold different meanings and values for different stakeholders.

Habitat destruction, hunting, poaching, over-exploitation, environmental pollution, poisoning, and forest fires have all contributed to the decline in India’s biodiversity. Unequal access to resources, inequitable consumption patterns, and the disproportionate sharing of responsibility for environmental well-being further exacerbate the problem.

While overpopulation is often cited as a cause of environmental degradation, it’s crucial to acknowledge the disparity in consumption patterns. An average American consumes far more resources than an average individual from a developing country. Similarly, within India, the wealthiest consume and impact the environment significantly more than the poorest.

Social and Cultural Impacts

The destruction of forests and wildlife extends beyond biological implications. It is strongly correlated with the loss of cultural diversity, marginalizing indigenous and forest-dependent communities who rely on these resources for sustenance, medicine, culture, and spirituality.

Women, often responsible for collecting fuel, fodder, and water, bear a disproportionate burden of environmental degradation. As resources dwindle, their workload increases, leading to health problems and neglecting home and children. This has far-reaching social consequences.

Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India

Recognizing the urgent need to address the rapid decline in wildlife and forest cover, conservation efforts have become paramount. Conservation aims to:

• Preserve ecological diversity and life support systems (water, air, soil).
• Protect the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better growth and breeding.

In response to the crisis, the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was enacted in 1972, providing provisions for habitat protection and establishing a national list of protected species. The focus was on safeguarding endangered species by banning hunting, protecting habitats, and restricting wildlife trade.

Subsequently, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries were established. Projects targeting specific threatened animals, such as the tiger, one-horned rhino, Kashmir stag, crocodiles, Asiatic lion, Indian elephant, blackbuck, great Indian bustard, and snow leopard, were initiated.

Project Tiger

Launched in 1973, Project Tiger, a renowned wildlife campaign, aimed to rescue the dwindling tiger population, which had plummeted to a mere 1,827 from 55,000 at the turn of the century. The project addressed threats such as poaching, habitat loss, prey depletion, and human-wildlife conflict.

Initially successful, the project saw tiger numbers rise. However, by 1993, the population had again declined. Today, India has 39 tiger reserves, covering an area of 32,137 sq. km. Tiger conservation is not just about saving a single species but about preserving entire ecosystems.

Shifting Focus to Biodiversity

Conservation efforts have expanded beyond flagship species to encompass broader biodiversity. Insects, often overlooked, are now finding a place in conservation planning. The Wildlife Act has been amended to include hundreds of butterflies, moths, beetles, and even a dragonfly in the protected species list. Plants were added in 1991, starting with six species.

Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources

Managing and regulating India’s vast forest and wildlife resources is a complex task. Most of these resources are owned or managed by the government through the Forest Department or other agencies. They are classified into three categories:

1. Reserved Forests: Constituting over half of the total forest land, these are considered the most valuable for conservation.
2. Protected Forests: Comprising almost one-third of the total forest area, these are safeguarded from further depletion.
3. Unclassed Forests: These include forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private entities.

Community and Conservation

Conservation strategies are not new to India. Traditional communities have long played a vital role in protecting natural resources. In many areas, local communities are actively involved in conservation efforts, recognizing the link between their livelihoods and healthy ecosystems.

Sacred Groves: Guardians of Biodiversity

Sacred groves, often referred to as”forests of God and Goddesses” are pristine patches of forest protected by local communities due to religious beliefs. These groves harbor a wealth of diverse and rare species, serving as testaments to the power of traditional conservation practices.

Community-Based Conservation

Examples of successful community-led conservation initiatives include:

• Villagers in Sariska Tiger Reserve fighting against mining activities.
• Communities in Alwar district, Rajasthan, declaring 1,200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’ and implementing their own conservation rules.
• The Chipko movement in the Himalayas, which successfully resisted deforestation and promoted community afforestation with indigenous species.
• Farmers’ and citizens’ groups like the Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya, demonstrating the viability of diversified and chemical-free agriculture.

Joint Forest Management (JFM)

programme shows  a good example for involving local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. The programme has been in existence since 1988 when Odisha passed the first resolution for joint forest management. JFM depends on the formation of local (village) institutions that undertake protection activities on degraded forest land managed by the forest department. In return, the members of these communities are entitled to intermediary benefits like non-timber forest produces and share in the timber harvested by successful protection. The  lesson from the dynamics of  environmental destruction and reconstruction in India is that local communities everywhere have to be involved in some kind of natural resource management. But there is still a long way before local communities are at the centre-stage in decision-making. Accept only those economic or developmental activities, that are people centric, environment-friendly and economically rewarding.