ENDANGERED AND ENDEMIC SPECIES OF INDIA
The Forest administration in India is more than 100 years old. Efforts to identify plant species as a part of wildlife and to recognize the importance for providing special protection to endangered plant species have so far been negligible. The extinction of certain attractive animals stimulated efforts to protect fauna, but no special heed was given to flora. The word ‘Wildlife’ had till recently been considered synonymous with animal life and consequently, conservations and naturalists have their attention only to conservation of animal species. It was only in the year 1968 at an International Conference (UNESCO 1968) that the problem of conservation of flora and fauna was appreciated and several recommendations were made urging the International Biological Programme (IBP), .the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural resources (IUCN) and various international and national organizations to initiate studies in to the problems involved, particularly the problem of protecting and preserving wild fauna and flora in their natural habitat/ecosystems establishing nature reserves.
(i) present distribution, (ii) decline in number of time, (iii) abundance and quality of natural habitats, and (iv) biology and potential value of the species.
- Endangered (E)
Species in danger of extinction and whose survival is unlikely if the casual factors continue operating, included are species whose numbers have been reduced to a critical level or whose habitats have been so drastically reduced that they are deemed to be in immediate danger of extinction.
- Vulnerable (V)
Species believed likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the casual factors continue operating. Included are species, of which most or all the populations are decreasing because of over-exploitation, extensive destruction of habitat or other environmental, disturbance species with populations that have been seriously depleted and whose ultimate security is not yet assured; and species with populations that are still abundant but are under threat from serious adverse factors throughout their range.
- Rare (R)
Species with, small world populations that are not at present endangered or vulnerable, but are at risk. These species are usually localized within restricted geographical areas or habitats or thinly scattered over a more extensive range.
- Threatened (T)
Threatened is used in the conservation context for species which are in one of the category is Endangered, Vulnerable and Rare. Some species are marked as threatened where it is known that they are Endangered, Vulnerable or Rare, but there is known that they are Endangered, Vulnerable or Rare, but there is not enough information to say which of these three categories is appropriate.
- Out of Danger (O)
Species formerly included in one of the above categories, but which are now considered relatively secure because effective conservation measures have been taken or the previous threat to their survival has been removed.
- Indeterminate (I)
Species that are suspected of belonging to one of the first three categories, but for which insufficient information is currently available.
These are just a few examples of the many endangered and endemic species found in India. The country's diverse range of flora and fauna is an important part of its natural heritage, and conservation efforts are necessary to protect these species and their habitats.
India is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, with many species found nowhere else in the world. Here are some examples of endangered and endemic species found in India:
Endangered Species
1. Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris): Found in forests across India, this subspecies of tiger is endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.
2. Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica): Found only in Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat, this subspecies of lion is endangered due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.
3. Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia): Found in the Himalayas, this big cat is endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
4. Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis): Found in Assam and West Bengal, this species is endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.
5. Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangeticus): Found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, this freshwater dolphin is endangered due to habitat loss, pollution, and fishing.
Endemic Species
1. Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius): Found only in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, this wild goat is endemic to India.
2. Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus): Found only in the Western Ghats of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, this primate is endemic to India.
3. Nilgiri Langur (Semnopithecus johnii): Found only in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, this primate is endemic to India.
4. Andaman and Nicobar Islands' endemic birds: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to several endemic bird species, including the Andaman Hawk-Owl and the Nicobar Megapode.
5. Western Ghats' endemic flora: The Western Ghats are home to several endemic plant species, including the Nilgiri Rhododendron and the Anamalai Teak.
These are just a few examples of the many endangered and endemic species found in India. The country's diverse range of flora and fauna is an important part of its natural heritage, and conservation efforts are necessary to protect these species and their habitats.
Some plants and animals have already become extinct and there are many facing danger of extinction. The basic reasons of extinction of wildlife are as follows:
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