1. BIODIVERSITY OF INDIA by Nity Nishant 2. Life+ variety species inhabiting the earth estimates vary from 8 to 14 million species India, a megadiversity country with only 2.4% of the land area, accounts for 7-8% of the recorded species of the world 45,500 species of plants and 91,000 species of animals 3. Levels of Biodiversity 4. 1. Genetic Diversity: genetic variation within a species 5. 2. Species Diversity :diversity among species 6. Ecosystem Diversity: diversity of habitats 7. Benefits associated with Biodiversity 8. Biological resources Food Medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs Wood products Ornamental plants 9. Ecosystem services Protection of Soils Erosion and floods Nutrient storage and recycling Pollution breakdown and absorption Contribution to climate stability 10. Social benefits Research, education and monitoring Recreation and tourism Cultural values 11. Biodiversity Hotspots An area which faces serious threat from human activities and supports a unique biodiversity 12. Criteria to be qualified: Accordingly to the Conservation International it must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (> 0.5 percent of the world’s total) as endemics, and it has to have lost at least 70 percent of its original habitat. (http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150569/) 13. Biodiversity hotspots in India The Western Ghats/Sahyadri Mountains-high rainfall, states includes Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. There are over 6000 vascular plants, 3000 are endemic belonging to over 2500 genera The Eastern Himalayas- region encompassing Bhutan, northeastern India, and Nepal. It has nearly 163 globally threatened species including 45 mammals, 50 birds, 17 reptiles, 12 amphibians, 3 invertebrate and 36 plant species (http://www.biodiversityofindia.org/index.php?title=Biodiversity_hotspots_in_India) 14. Biodiversity hotspots in India… Indo-Burma- spread out from Eastern Bangladesh to Malaysia, covers 2 million sq km, supports wide diversity of climate and habitat patterns, Much of this region is still a wilderness, but has been deteriorating rapidly in the past few decades Sundaland- It includes Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, Nicobar Islands. The United Nations declared the islands a World Biosphere Reserve in 2013, rich terrestrial and marine ecosystem that includes mangroves, coral reefs and sea grass beds. 15. Recent extinctions (India) Mammals- Indian / Asiatic Cheetah, Javan Rhinoceros and Sumatran Rhinoceros Birds- Pink-headed Duck (Rhodonessa caryophyllacea) and theHimalayan Quail(Ophrysia superciliosa) (http://www.biodiversityofindia.org/index.php?title=Biodiversity_hotspots_in_India) 16. Asiatic cheetahHimalayan Quail Pink headed Duck Sumatran Rhinoceros Javan Rhinoceros warbler 17. Threats To Global Biodiversity Habitat loss/degradation Over-hunting /Poaching Climate change Resource mismanagement Invasion of non-native /exotic species Natural Calamities Pollution Overgrazing 18. Progammes on Conservation of Biodiversity 19. In-situ Conservation Conserving the animals and plants in their natural habitats National parks Sanctuaries Biosphere reserves Reserved and protected forests Project Tiger, Project Elephant, Save the Barasingha campaign 20. Ex-situ Conservation Conserving the animals and plants away from their natural habitat Seed banks Germplasm Botanical gardens Zoological parks 21. Legislation Environment Protection Act, 1986 Fisheries Act, 1897 Forest Act, 1927 Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 1991 National Forest Policy amended in 1988, National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement for Environment and Sustainable Development National Agricultural Policy National Land Use Policy National Fisheries Policy National Policy and Action Strategy on Biodiversity National Wildlife Action Plan Environmental Action Plan. 22. Thanks.. 23. IUCN’s clip