India holds an important place in the global landscape of biodiversity, accounting for 7-8% of the world’s recorded species despite covering only 2.4% of Earth’s land. Its rich biodiversity is due to varied landscapes and climates, which support diverse ecosystems, and it is home to four global biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, the Indo-Burma region, and the Sundaland (which includes the Nicobar Islands).
•High species richness: India is a megadiverse country, ranking highly for the number of species of plants, mammals, birds, and reptiles.
•Diverse ecosystems: The country’s varied geography, from the Himalayan mountains to the coastal and marine ecosystems of the Western Ghats, has created a wide array of habitats.
•Endemism: India has a high number of endemic species, meaning species found nowhere else in the world. It ranks tenth in the world for endemic birds, fifth for reptiles, and seventh for amphibians.
•Threats to biodiversity: Despite its importance, India’s biodiversity is under threat from factors like habitat destruction, climate change, and invasive species.
•Conservation challenges: Challenges to conservation include habitat fragmentation and the need to manage biodiversity in non-protected areas, which requires a shift in conservation strategy.
•Importance of conservation: Protecting India’s biodiversity is vital for the health of the planet as a whole, making ongoing conservation efforts and community involvement crucial.
India’s contribution to biodiversity
India covers about 2.4% of the Earth’s total land area yet accounts for around 7–8% of the world’s recorded species. It is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world, with four global biodiversity hotspots that include areas of high endemism and critical conservation importance. About 45,000 species of plants and over 91,000 animal species are found in India.
Why is it globally important?
A source of natural resources:
Biodiversity in India is important for agriculture (crop development, genetic resources), medicine (herbals, traditional medicine), and other industries (bio-industry, tourism). Ecosystem services
Services provided by biodiversity—such as carbon sequestration, regulation of the water cycle, erosion control, and protection from natural disasters—are vital not only for India but also for global human society.
Global Bio-Security and Development Goals
India, through its biodiversity, is playing an active role in global biodiversity treaties (such as the Convention on Biological Diversity).
To be the custodian of endemic and special species
Some species are found only in India or have a major presence here (e.g., the Asiatic lion and the one-horned rhinoceros). This unique biodiversity enhances global ecological diversity and underscores India’s vital role in its conservation.
Challenges and risks
- Due to rapid development, agricultural expansion, urban development, poaching, etc., pressure on biodiversity is increasing.
- Climate change is further complicating this — for example, its impact on the Himalayan and Garhwal Himalayan ecosystems.
- Loss of biodiversity has become a major concern due to reduced conservation funding, monitoring, and policy implementation.
- Globally, if a country like India lags behind in biodiversity conservation, it will affect the entire global biodiversity system.
India’s contribution and future direction
India has initiated several projects for biodiversity conservation — such as Protected Area Networks, Biodiversity Action Plans, and Traditional Knowledge Conservation. Local communities, industries, and service sectors are also contributing toward developing a sustainable bio-economy. India’s role is growing in line with global goals such as the “30% Land, Water, and Sea Conservation by 2030” initiative.
FAQs
What is the current scenario of biodiversity?
Ans: Wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73% since 1970
Who is the creator of biodiversity in India?
Ans: The term “biodiversity” was coined by W.G. Rosen in 1985.
Which state has the most biodiversity in India?
Ans : States like Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, and Tamil Nadu have the highest biodiversity, particularly within the Western Ghats region.
