On World Wildlife Day, a call to protect India’s critically endangered species

India’s Critically Endangered Species 

Biodiversity Overview:

• India: 2.4% of world’s land, but hosts 7–8% of global species.
• Species counts:
  • Plants: 45,000
  • Animals: 91,000
• Biogeographic zones: 10
• Percentage of global species in India:
  • Mammals: 8.58%
  • Birds: 13.66%
  • Reptiles: 7.91%
  • Amphibians: 4.66%
  • Fish: 11.72%
  • Plants: 11.80%

Biodiversity Hotspots in India:

1. Himalaya
2. Indo-Burma
3. Western Ghats–Sri Lanka
4. Sundaland

Threats to Wildlife:

• Rapid population growth and demand for resources.
• Habitat loss due to urbanization, agriculture, mining, timber extraction.
• Man-animal conflict due to encroachment.
• Hunting, poaching, trafficking (historical → modern threats).

Conservation Context:

• India has wildlife reserves and sanctuaries: unfenced, hunting prohibited.
• Human-wildlife tolerance rooted in religious and cultural reverence.

Critically Endangered Species (2022):

• Total critically endangered species: 73 (up from 47 in 2011; increase due to better monitoring).
• Mammals: 9 species (8 endemicto India)
  • Kashmir Stag / Hangul
  • Malabar Large-spotted Civet
  • Andaman Shrew
  • Jenkin’s Shrew
  • Nicobar Shrew
  • Namdapha Flying Squirrel
  • Large Rock Rat
  • Leafletted Leaf-nosed Bat
• Carnivores (tiger, lion, cheetah): less critical attention compared to mammals/birds.
• Birds: Great Indian Bustard threatened (powerlines in Rajasthan).

Significance of Day:

• World Wildlife Conservation Day (Dec 4):
  • Celebrate India’s biodiversity.
  • Evaluate protection efforts for critically endangered species.
    
    Updated - December 04, 2024 11:40 am  | The Hindu