How does biodiversity vary in india? How is the biological diversity act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna?:mrunal
Answers
Because of its vast size and location, India has a varied bio-diversity. Ranging from flora and fauna that thrive in the tropics, it has those which survive in sub-zero temperatures, in the northern regions.
The Biological Diversity Act of 2002 was passed by the Indian Parliament. The Act provided for conservation of biological diversity, its sustainable use and for fair and equal sharing of available resources (traditional biological resources and related knowledge), without endangering the flora and fauna.
Biodiversity encompasses the variety of living organisms on the earth, includes diversity within species of ecosystems. Biological diversity is fundamental to agriculture and food production. It provides ecological balance and ecosystem services.
India is one of the mega diverse countries in the world which is discussed below:
Flora and Fauna of India
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): India is a mega diverse country with only 2.4% of the world's land area, accounts for 7-8% of all recorded species, including species of plants and species of animals.
1. There are about 45,000 species of plants, which is about 7% of world's total. About 33% of these are endemic.
2. There are 15,000 flowering plants, which is 6% of world's total. Roughly, 1,500 plant species are endangered.
3. There are 91,000 animal species, representing about 6.5% of world's fauna.
4. Livestock diversity is high. There are 400 breeds of sheep, 27 of cattle and 22 of goats found in India.
5. It has also globally important populations of some of Asia's rarest animals, such as the Bengal Fox, Asiatic Cheetah, Marbled Cat, Asiatic Lion, Indian Elephant, Indian Rhinoceros, etc.
Biosphere Reserves in India
Classification of Biodiversity in India
1. Malayan Biodiversity: It is along the densely forested areas of the Eastern Himalayas and along the coastal areas.
2. Ethiopian Biodiversity: The arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan are characterised by this kind of biodiversity.
3. European Biodiversity: This kind of biodiversity is found in the areas of upper Himalayas where the climatic characteristics are mostly temperate in nature.
4. Indian Biodiversity: The dense forest areas of Indian plain are characterised by this kind of biodiversity.
There are 10 bio-geographic regions or zones in India which are further divided into 25 biogeographic provinces such as Himalayas, Indian Deserts, Deccan Plateau, Coasts etc.
The biological diversity act, 2002 is helpful in conservation of flora and fauna. It aims at preserving biological diversity in India.
1. The Act provides mechanism for equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of traditional biological resources and knowledge.
2. It provides for both centralized and decentralized institutional mechanisms for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The National Biodiversity Authority at the apex level, State Biodiversity Board at State level and BMC at the local level. Thus, it can be a potent tool in helping to conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat.
3. There is also a People’s Biodiversity Register (PBR) which records the diversity of flora and fauna.
4. The act has immense potential to safeguard India’s threatened biodiversity.
However, there is a problem in the strict implementation of the provisions of this act. Violations and opacity in Environment Impact Assessments (EIA) has been observed by the Government in various projects like construction of dams, mining sites or diversion of land, which are likely to have an adverse impact on biodiversity.
Way Forward: The provisions of this act should be implemented without any compromise and accountability of officials at various levels should be defined and fixed.