India accounts for 7-8% of all recorded species, including 45,000 plant and 91,000 animal species.
India is known as a megadiverse country.
December 4th of every year is observed as World Wildlife Conservation Day.
Four of the 34 globally recognised biodiversity hotspots, namely the Himalayas, Indo-Burma, the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka, and Sundaland, are found in India.
As the most populous country in the world, with 65% of its population under the age of 35, India's growth trajectory suggests a significant demand for natural resources such as land, wood, timber, forest products, precious metals, and coal. Unfortunately, this demand often conflicts with wildlife habitats, bringing terrestrial and avian species closer to human settlements.
Indian culture promotes a tradition of worshipping and conserving wildlife. Unlike in Africa, hunting as a licensed recreational sport is prohibited in India.
As of 2022, the most updated estimates by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change show 73 "critically endangered" species in India. This is an increase from the 47 endangered species recorded in 2011.
Eight of the nine species of mammals considered critically endangered are endemic; their habitat is limited to a small geographic area within India.
These include the Kashmir stag or Hangul, Malabar large-spotted civet, Andaman Shrew, Jenkin's shrew, Nicobar shrew, Namdapha flying squirrel, large rock rat and Leafletted leaf-nosed bat.
There is a lot of media and political attention on the three endangered animals: lions, tigers, and cheetahs.
The Great Indian Bustard is a bird that is currently facing extinction.
This blog summarises the article that appeared in The Hindu today to mark World Wildlife Conservation Day.
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| Large Rock Rat |
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| Kashmir Stag |
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| Namdapha flying squirrel |
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| Malabar large-spotted civet |
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| Tiger |
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| Lion |
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| Cheetah |
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| Andaman Shrew |
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| Great Indian Bustard |
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| Leafletted leaf-nosed bat |
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