Ecosystem and

Biodiversity
 ECOSYSTEM
Definition:
The living community of plants and animals
in any area together with the non-living
components of the environment such as
soil, air and water, constitute the
ecosystem.
A.G. Tansley (in 1935) defined the Eco-
system as ‘the system resulting from the
integrations of all the living and non-living
actors of the environment’. Thus he
regarded the Eco-systems as including not
only the organism complex but also the
whole complex of physical factors forming
the environment.
 ASPECTS OF ECO-SYSTEM
• The eco-system can be defined as any
spatial or organizational unit including
living organisms and non-living substances
interacting to produce an exchange of
materials between the living and non-
living parts. The eco-system can be
studied from either structural or
functional aspects.
• ASPECT OF AN ECOSYSTEM
 Structural aspect
 Functional aspect
 STRUCTURAL ASPECTS OF ECO-SYSTEM

• Abiotic components : Environmental factors

Physical Factors
• Light, Topography.
• Temperature, Moisture

Organic components
• Protein, Carbohydrates, Lipids
• link abiotic to biotic aspects.

Inorganic components
• CO2, N
• H2O, C
 STRUCTURAL ASPECTS OF ECO-SYSTEM

• Biotic Components : Organisms

Producers
• Plants

Consumers
• Animals

Decomposers
• Micro organisms
 Functions of Ecosystem

Energy
Cycles

Food
Evolution
Chains

Nutrient
Diversity
Cycles
Functional aspects
1) Energy cycles

 The energy cycle is based on the flow of

energy through the ecosystem.
 Energy from sunlight is converted by plants
themselves into growing new plant
material which includes leaves, flowers,
fruit, branches, trunks and roots of plants.
 During photosynthesis carbon dioxide is
taken up by plants and oxygen is released.
 Animals depend on this oxygen for their
respiration.
Functional aspects

• 2) Food chains
 Plants can grow by converting the sun’s
energy directly into their tissues, they are
known as producers in the ecosystem.
 The plants are used by herbivorous
animals as food, which gives them energy.
 The carnivores in turn depend on
herbivorous animals on which they feed.
 Thus the different plant and animal species
are linked to one another through food
chains
 Each food chain has three or four links.
 Functional aspects
• 3) Diversity-
• Inter linkages between organisms

 The different plant and animal species are

linked to one another through food chains.
 Each food chain has three or four links.
However as each plant or animal can be linked
to several other plants or animals through
many different linkages.
 These inter-linked chains can be depicted as a
complex food web.
 This is thus called the ‘web of life’ that shows
that there are thousands of interrelationships
in nature.
Functional aspects
• 4) Nutrient cycles- (Biogeochemical cycles)

 Biogeochemical cycles are pathways of transport &

transformation of nutrient
 These consists of Two types –
• Gaseous cycles e.g. Carbon cycle, Nitrogen cycle etc.
• Sedimentary cycle e.g phosphorus cycle,
sulphur cycle etc.
 Carbon is released from ecosystem as carbon dioxide
gas by the process of respiration.
 This CO2 gas is used by plants to prepare
carbohydrates which is used by animals as food.
 Animals and plants again release CO2 through
respiration.
•
 Functional aspects

• 5) Evolution
 Ecological succession is a process through
which ecosystems tend to change over a
period of time.
 If a forest is cleared, it is initially colonized
by a certain group of species of plants and
animals, which gradually change through
an orderly process of community
development.
 One can predict that an opened up area
will gradually be converted into a
grassland, a shrub land and finally a
woodland & a forest
 Evolution of man from Monkeys is the
result of ecological succession.
 Division of Ecosystem
• The ecosystem can be divided, from the energetic
view point into three types of organisms: producers,
consumers, and reducers. These can be explained
as under:
 Division of Ecosystem

• (1) Producer
• Photosynthetic algae, plants and bacteria are the producers
of the ecosystem; all other organisms depend upon them
directly or indirectly for food

• (2) Consumers
• Consumers are herbivorous, carnivorous, and omnivorous
animals; they eat the organic matter produced by other
organisms.

• (3) Reducers
• Reducers are heterotrophic organisms like animals; they are
fungi and bacterial that decompose dead organic matter.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ECO-SYSTEM
• According to Smith following are the general characteristics of eco-
• system.
•
• (1) The ecosystem is a major structural and functional unit of
• ecology.

• (2) The structure of an eco-system is related to its species diversity;

• as such the more complex ecosystem has high species diversity.

• (3) The relative amount of energy required to maintain an ecosystem

depends on its structure. The more complex the structure, the
• lesser the energy it requires to maintain itself.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ECO-SYSTEM
Continued…
• (4) The function of the ecosystem is related to energy flow in material
cycling, through and within the system.

• (5) Ecosystems mature by passing from less complex to more complex

states. Early stages of such succession have an excess of potential
energy. Later (mature) stages have less energy accumulation.

• (6) Both the environment and the energy fixation in any given
ecosystem are limited. They cannot be exceeded in any way
without causing serious undesirable effect.

• (7) Alterations in the environments represent selective pressures upon

the population to which it must adjust. Organisms, which fail to adjust to
the changed environment, must vanish.
•
Functions of Eco-system
Functions of Eco-system
1. Transformation of Solar Energy into Food
Energy (Photosynthesis)
 The solar radiation is the basic input of
energy entering the ecosystem.
 The green plants receive it. And is converted
into heat energy.
 It is only a small proportion of radiant solar
energy that is used by plant to make food
through the process of photosynthesis.
 Green plants transform a part of solar
energy into food energy or chemical energy.
 The chemical energy becomes the source of
energy to the herbivorous animals of the
food chain.
 Functions of Eco-system
• 2. The Circulation of elements through
Energy Flow (e.g Carbon Cycle)

 In the various biotic components of the

ecosystem the energy flow is the main
driving force of nutrient circulation.

 The organic and inorganic substances are

moved reversibly through various closed
system of cycles in the biosphere,
atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.

 This activity is done in such a way that total

mass of these substances remains almost
the same and is always available to biotic
communities.
Functions of Eco-system
• 3. The Conversion of Elements into Inorganic Flow (e.g
Nitrogen Cycle)
• The organic elements of plants and animals are released
in the under mentioned ways:
• (i) Decomposition of leaf fallen from the plants ,dead
plants and animals by decomposers and their conversion
into soluble inorganic form.

• (ii) Burning of vegetation by lighting, accidental forest fire

or deliberate action of man. When burnt, the portions of
organic matter are released to the atmosphere and these
again fall down, under the impact of precipitation, on the
ground. Then they become soluble inorganic form of
element to join soil storage.

• (iii) The waste materials released by animals are

decomposed by bacteria. They find their way in soluble
inorganic form to soil storage.
 Functions of Eco-system
• 4. The Growth and Development of
Plants
 In the biogeochemical cycles are
included the uptake of nutrients of
inorganic elements by the plants
through their roots.
 The nutrients are derived from the soil
where these inorganic elements are
stored.

 The decomposition of leaves, plants and

animals and their conversion into
soluble inorganic form are stored into
soil contributing to the growth and
development of plants.
Functions of Eco-system
• 5. Productivity of ecosystem
 The productivity of an ecosystem refers
to the rate of production i.e. the
amount of organic matter, which is
accumulated in any unit time.
 Biodiversity
• Bio – Life: Diversity- Variety
• Biodiversity is the variety and variability among all group of
living organisms and the ecosystem in which they occur

• Definition:
• Biological diversity’ or biodiversity is that part of nature
which includes the differences in genes among the
individuals of a species, the variety and richness of all the
plant and animal species at different scales in space, locally,
in a region, in the country and the world, and various types
of ecosystems, both terrestrial and aquatic, within a
defined area.
 Levels of biodiversity :
• Biodiversity is generally described in terms of its 3 fundamental
and hierarchically related levels of biological organisms. These
are -
Levels of biodiversity :
• Genetic diversity
 It includes the genetic variations within
species, both among geographically
separated populations and among
individuals within single population.
• e.g. variety of rice, teak wood ,dog etc.
 Each member of any animal or plant
species differs widely from other
individuals in its genetic makeup because
of the large number of combinations
possible in the genes that give every
individual specific characteristics.
 Thus, for example, each human being is
very different from all others. This genetic
variability is essential for a healthy
breeding population of a species
Levels of biodiversity :
• Species diversity
 It includes full range of species from micro
organisms to giants and mammoth varieties
of plants and animals, e.g. single celled
viruses and bacteria etc. and multi-cellular
plants, animals and fungi.
 Plant species - e.g. Apple, mango, grapes etc.
• Animal species- e.g. Lion, tiger, elephant
etc.
 Natural undisturbed tropical forests have a
much greater species richness than
plantations developed by the Forest
Department for timber
 At present conservation scientists have been
able to identify and categorize about 1.8
million species on earth
Levels of biodiversity :

• Ecosystems diversity
 It provides variation in the biological
communities in which species Jive, exist
and interact.
• e.g .River ecosystem, Forest ecosystem,
• Desert ecosystem etc.
 There are a large variety of different
ecosystems on earth, which have their
own complement of distinctive inter linked
species based on the differences in the
habitat.
 India is exceptionally rich in its ecosystem
diversity.
 Levels of biodiversity :
• Ecosystems diversity
 Alpha diversity – It refers to a group of organisms
interacting & competing for the same resources or sharing
the same environment.
 For example, In Ecosystem X, α = Varity of species in one
ecosystem α = 4

•
A
SPECIES
D
SPECIES
B
SPECIES
C
SPECIES
 Levels of biodiversity :
• Ecosystems diversity
 Beta diversity – It refers to the
expression of diversity between
habitats.
 For example,
• In Ecosystem X and Y,
• β= Only uncommon species
A F variety in two adjacent ecosystem ,
D
β= 6
X Y
B G
E

C H
 Levels of biodiversity :
• Ecosystems diversity
 Gama diversity – It refers to the
landscape diversity or Diversity of
habitats within a landscape or region.
 For example,
Z • In Ecosystem X , Y and Z
F • γ= All uncommon species and
E Common species are considered only
G
once γ= 13
B H
D I
X A Y
L J
C K
 Threats to the Biodiversity
• Biodiversity is under serious threat as a result
of human activities.

• CAUSES OF BIODIVERSITY LOSSES

There are four major causes (called “The Evil
Quartet”) of biodiversity losses:
1. Habitat loss and fragmentation,
2. Over exploitation,
3. Alien species invasions
4. Co-extinction
Threats to the Biodiversity
1. Habitat loss and fragmentation:
• The tropical rain forests, once covering 14 per cent of the land surface of Earth,
but now they cover only 6 per cent of the land area.
• The Amazon rain forests (called the ‘lungs of the planet’) are cleared for
cultivation of soybeans or are converted into grasslands for raising beef-cattle.
• The loss of a habitat deprives many animals and plants their homes and they
face extinction.
• Degradation of many habitats by pollution threatens the survival of many
• species.

2. over exploitation:
• When ‘need’ turns to ‘greed’, it leads to over- exploitation of natural resources;
many species become extinct,
• e.g.: Steller’s sea cow, passenger pigeon, many marine fises became extinct due
to over-exploitation by humans.
Threats to the Biodiversity
3. Alien species invasions:
• When alien species are introduced in an area, some of them become
invasive and may cause extinction of indigenous species,
• e.g.: Introduction of Nile Perch into Lake Victoria (East Africa) caused
extinction of many species of cichlid fish in lake.
• Invasive weed species such as Parthenium (carrot grass)

4. Co-extinction:
• When a species becomes extinct, the plant and animal species associated
with it also become extinct, e.g.
• When a host fish becomes extinct, its unique parasites also become extinct.
• Similarly, when one partner of a co-evolved pollitator mutualism becomes
extinct, the other partner also have the same fate.
Hotspots of Biodiversity
• A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region
that is both a significant reservoir
of biodiversity and is threatened with
destruction.
• Large regions containing exceptional
concentrations of plants and animals and
experiencing high rates of habitat loss.

• Important hot spots in India,

[Link] Ghats and Sri Lanka
[Link]
[Link]-Burma
Hotspots of Biodiversity
1. Western Ghats And Sri Lanka
• The western Ghats, known locally as the Sahyadri
hills run parallel to India's western coast, about 30
to 50 Km inland.
• They cover an area about 1,60,000 Sq Km and
stretch for 1,600 Km from Gujarat to south tip.
• It is habitat for variety of mammals, reptiles, birds
and plants.

Purple Moor Hen Bison Nilgiri Tahr

Hotspots of Biodiversity
2. Himalayan
• Includes the entire Indian
Himalayan region (and that falling
in Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan,
China and Myanmar).
• The hotspot is home to important
populations of numerous large
birds and mammals, including
vultures, tigers, elephants, rhinos
and wild water buffalo.

Tiger Rhino Vultures

Hotspots of Biodiversity
3. Indo-burma
• Encompassing more than 2 million km² of
tropical Asia. Indo-Burma is still revealing its
biological treasures.
• Six large mammal species have been
discovered in the last 12 years. This hotspot
also holds remarkable endemism in
freshwater turtle species. Bird life in Indo-
Burma is also incredibly diverse, holding
almost 1,300 different bird species

Spot billed pelican Saola Pangolins

Endangered species

• Organisms whose number have declined

rapidly and species might be wiped off from
the earth in near future are called
Endangered Species
• World Wildlife Federation (WWF) published
a book containing the details of endangered
and threatened species of Flora and Fauna
called as RED DATA BOOK or RED LIST BOOK
• The RED DATA BOOK symbolizes a warning
signal for those species which are
endangered and have to be protected.
Otherwise they are likely to become extinct
in the near future.
 Endangered Species of India

Animals Birds Plants

Great Indian Bustard Assam Catkin Yew
Asiatic Lion
Red Headed Vulture Ilex Khasiana
Bengal Tiger Forest Owlet
Spoon Billed Sandpiper Red Sandalwood
Snow Leopard
Jerdon’s Courser Ebony
Blackbuck
Bengal Florican Musli
Red Panda White Bellied Heron Actinodaphne Lawsoni-
One Horned Rhinoceros Himalayan Quail
Malabar Mahagony
The Nilgiri Tahr Sociable Lapwing https://
Siberian Crane
Kashmir Red Stag
(Hangul)
Lion Tailed Macaque
Indian Bison (Gaur)
/
 Conservation of Biodiversity

• There are two approaches for conservation of biodiversity:

1. In –situ conservation ( on site conservation)
2. Ex-situ conservation ( off site conservation)

Conservation
of Biodiversity

In –situ Ex-situ
conservation conservation

Biosphere Wildlife Botanical Zoological

National Parks Sacred Groves Seed Banks Gene Banks
Reserves Sanctuaries Gardens Parks
 In –situ conservation ( on site conservation)
1. Biosphere Reserves
• These are large tracts of protected land with multiple use preserving the genetic diversity of representative
ecosystem by protecting wildlife, traditional life styles of the tribals and varied plant and animal genetic
resources.
2. National Parks
• These are areas reserved for wildlife where they are able to obtain all the required natural resources and
proper habitats.
3. Wildlife Sanctuaries
• These Are Tracts Of Land With Or Without lake where animals are protected from all types of exploitation
and habitat disturbance.
4. Sacred Groves
• These are tracts of forest set aside where all the trees and wildlife within are venerated and given total
protection.
• Such sacred groves are found in Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya; Aravali Hills of Rajasthan; Western Ghat
regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra and the Sarguja; Chanda and Bastar area of Madhya Pradesh.
 Ex-situ conservation ( off site conservation)
1. Botanical Gardens: Botanical garden is a place where plants, especially ferns, conifers
and flowering plants, are grown and displayed for the purposes of research and
education.
2. Zoological Parks: The place where wild animals and, in some instances, domesticated
animals are exhibited in captivity. In such an establishment, animals can generally be
given more intensive care than is possible in nature reserves or sanctuaries.
3. Seed Banks: A seed bank is a bank where seeds of different crops and rare plant
species are stored for future use. Seed banks are created to maintain and protect
biodiversity, where samples of all species are collected and stored.

4. Gene Banks: Gene banks are a type of bio repository which preserve genetic material.
For plants, this is done by in vitro storage, freezing cuttings from the plant, or stocking
the seeds. For animals, this is done by the freezing of sperm and eggs in zoological
freezers until further need.
Various Laws for conservation of biodiversity
• The concept of conservation of biodiversity is enshrined
in the Indian Constitution in Article 48(A) and 51A (g).
Major Central Acts relevant to biodiversity are:

• The Indian Forest Act, 1927;

• The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972;
• The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980;
• The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;
• The Biological Diversity Act, 2002;
• The Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
International Efforts For Biodiversity Conservation

• THE EARTH SUMMIT

• It was the historic convention on Biological diversity,
held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
• It called upon all the nations to take appropriate
measures for Conservation of biodiversity, and
(ii)Sustainable utilization of the benefits of
biodiversity.

• THE WORLD SUMMIT

• It was held in 2002 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• 190 countries pledged their commitment to achieve a
significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity
loss at global, regional and local levels by 2010.
 Biodiversity:

 Biodiversity is the term

used to describe the variety
of life found on Earth and all
of the natural processes.

• This includes ecosystem,

different species and their
connections with each
other.
 Values of Biodiversity
• Consumptive Use Value

• Productive use value

• Social Use Value

• Ethical and Moral Values

• Aesthetic Value
 Consumptive Use Value
• It is the direct utilization of biodiversity by local
communities.
• The biodiversity contained in the ecosystem
provides forest dwellers with all their daily needs
like food, building material, fodder, medicines
and a variety of other products.
• They are well-known about the qualities and
different uses of wood, frits, flowers, seeds etc
from different species of trees.
• Fisher folks are completely dependent on fish
and know where and how to catch fish and
other edible aquatic animals and plants.
 Productive use value
• New species of plants and animals are
being constantly discovered by
biotechnologist These wild species are the
building blocks for the betterment of
human life.
• Biological diversity is the raw material
from which new drugs can be identified
from plant or animal products.
• Genetic diversity enables scientists and
farmers to selectively develop better
crops and domestic animals through
careful breeding programs.
• This category also comprises of
marketable products such as animal skins,
ivory, medicinal plants, honey, beeswax.,
fibers, gums etc…..,
Social Use Value
• ‘Ecosystem people’ value
biodiversity as a part of their
livelihood as well as through
cultural and religious
sentiments.
• Biodiversity in INDIA is
important for its religious,
spiritual and other cultural
uses.
• Many plants and animals
have spiritual significance.
Ethical and Moral Values
• Ethical values of biodiversity are
based on the importance of
protecting all form of life.

• Man is only a small part of the

Earth’s great family of species;
plants and animals have an equal
right to live and exist on our planet.

• Indian civilizations has preserved

nature through local traditions over
several generations.
 Aesthetic Value
• Biodiversity is a beautiful and wonderful
aspect of nature. For Example- Sitting in a
forest and listening to the birds, Watching a
spider weaving its complex web, Observing a
fish, It is just magnificent and fascinating.
• Biodiversity is a source of imagination and
creativity for Writers and poets
• it is important for tourist attraction.
• In many countries, history and culture is
reflected through plant and animal image.
• In India, The Banyan tree, Peepal tree and
Basil or the ‘Tulsi’ has spiritual importance for
centuries.
 Biodiversity Assessment Initiative in India
• India is one of the 17 mega-diverse countries on the planet, with only 2.4%
of the world’s land area, yet accounts for 7-8% of all recorded species. India
has 10 biogeographic zones and is home to 8.58% of the mammalian species
documented so far, 13.66% avian species, 7.91% reptiles, 4.66% amphibians,
11.72% fishes and 11.80% for plants.
• India's growing population, rapid economic growth and industrialization
have increased the pressure on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• The conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems is vital national priority as
they are linked to the country’s economic, ecological and social well-being.
• Economic valuations of ecosystem services and biodiversity are used to
improve the conservation and management of ecosystems
• The initiative focuses on three ecosystem types:
1. Forests ecosystems
2. Inland wetlands ecosystems
3. Coastal and marine ecosystems.
 Forest Ecosystems
Forest is an area with a high density of trees,
together with other plants, covering a large area of
land.
India’s successful endeavour in expanding forest
cover is widely acknowledged. An effective Forest
(Conservation) Act, 1980, further strengthened by
the National Forest Policy, 1988, a massive
afforestation programme, establishment of
biosphere reserves, and re-vegetation of degraded
lands through Joint Forest Management and
people’s participation, account for the success in
forest and biodiversity conservation.
 Inland Wetlands Ecosystem
• Wetlands are ecosystems located at the interface of
land and water. Inland wetlands refer to those
wetlands which don't have a direct connection with
the sea.
• The floral diversity supported by these ecosystems
range from unicellular algae, bryophytes, mosses
and ferns to woody angiosperms. The number of
plant species within Indian wetlands is nearly 1,200.
• The Government of India has been implementing
the National Wetlands Conservation Program
(NWCP) since the year 1985-86. Aim of the Program
is Conservation of wetlands in the country so as to
prevent their further degradation and ensuring
their wise use for the benefit of local communities
and overall conservation of biodiversity.
 Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
• Coastal and marine ecosystems provide many
services to human society and are of great
economic value like food and water resources,
and raw materials like sand, and other high-
value heavy minerals like ilmenite, zircon,
monazite etc., which are collected from beach
sand.
• The number of species in the coastal and marine
ecosystems is suggested to be more than
13,000. It is also known for high biological
productivity, which provide a wide range of
habitat for many aquatic flora and fauna.
• India has established 31 Coastal and Marine
Protected Areas (CMPAs) and several species
have been listed under Wildlife (Protection) Act
1972.
Biodiversity Conservation
• Biodiversity Conservation

 The hope for conservation of natural biodiversity rests

on preservation of selected ecosystems and
representative areas of different vegetation types in the
country. as well as on saving some of the extinction-
prone species.

 The number of endangered species of plants and

animals is on the rise, which has prompted government
and non-governmental organizations to take certain
steps
 In this direction. Forestry and wildlife were primarily
under the control of state governments but later on
looking to the gravity of the situation a separate
Ministry of Environment and Forests was established.
Biodiversity Conservation :
•
• The aims and objectives of wildlife management in India
includes the following -
Biodiversity Conservation :
• Laws Governing Biodiversity Conservation in India :

 The Madras Wild Elephant Preservation Act, 1873.

 All India Elephant Preservation Act, 1879.
 The Indian Fisheries Act, 1897.
 Wild Birds and Wild Animals Protection Act, 1912.
 The Indian Forest Act, 1927.
 Bengal Rhinoceros Act, 1932.
 Haily National Park Act.. 1936.
 Bombay Wild, Animals and Wild Birds Protection Act, 1951.
 Assam Rhinoceros Protection Act, 1954.
 The Cruelty Against Animals Act, 1960.
 The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
 The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. (xiii) Wildlife (Protection)
• Amendment Act; 1991.
 Conservation of Forests and National Ecosystems Act, 1994.
Biodiversity Conservation :
• IN-SITU AND EX-SITU CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY :

• The goal of biodiversity conservation can be attained in a

number of ways. The concept of gene banks regulates all these
methods.
• In-situ conservation :
 It can be defined as the conservation of plants and animals in
their native ecosystem (natural habitats) or even man made
ecosystem, where they naturally occur.

 This type of conservation is applicable to wild flora and fauna

as conservation is achieved through protection of
populations in their natural ecosystems.

 The concept of protected areas falls under this category e.g.

National Parks, Sanctuaries and Biosphere reserves etc.
Biodiversity Conservation :
•
• Ex-situ conservation :
 It can he defined as the conservation of
plants and animals away from their natural
habitats.
 It includes collection of samples of genetic
diversity and their treatment in the
laboratory, where they are cultured.
 The concept of ‘Gene banks’ has primarily
become the talk for ex-situ conservation
as it is important for conservation of
agricultural crops and forestry based
afforestation programmes.
 Genetic resource centres fall under this
category and include botanical gardens,
zoological parks , seed banks , gene banks
etc.
Biodiversity Conservation :
• Distribution between National Park, Sanctuary and Biosphere Reserve for In-situ
conservation
S.N. :
National Park Sanctuary Biosphere Reserve
1 Associated to the habitat of wild These are species oriented as Takes into consideration the
animal species. like rhino, tiger, pitcher plant, Indian Bustard. entire ecosystem.
lion etc..

2 The size range is 0.04-3162 [Link] The size range is 0.61-7818 sq. The size range is 5670 sq. km.
km.
Boundaries marked by legislation
3 Boundaries not sacrosanct Boundaries marked by legislation
Disturbance only limited to buffer
zone Disturbance only limited to buffer
4 Limited disturbance zone.
Tourism allowed
Tourism generally not allowed
5 Scientific management is lacking Tourism allowed
Scientifically managed
6 No attention is paid to gene pool Scientific management is
conservation lacking Attention is paid

7 No attention is paid to gene

pool conservation
 Biodiversity Conservation :
• National Park:

 According to the Indian Board for Wild Life (IBWL), “a National Park is an area
dedicated by statute for all time to conserve the scenery, natural and historical
objects, to conserve the wild life there in and to provide for enjoyment of the same
in such manner and by such means, that will leave them unimpaired for the
enjoyment of future generations with such modification as local conditions may
demand”.
 The history of National parks in India begins in 1936 when the Hailey (now Corbett)
national parks of United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh) was created.
 The area is declared for the protection and preservation for all time of wild animal
life and wild vegetation for the benefit and advantage and enjoyment of the general
public.
 In this area hunting of fauna or collection of flora is prohibited except under the
direction of park authority.
 There are 104 existing national parks in India covering an area of 40501.13 km2,
which is 1.23% of the geographical area of the country (National Wildlife Database,
May, 2019)
Biodiversity Conservation :
• Sanctuary :

 The Indian Board for Wild Life has defined a sanctuary as, ‘An area where
killing, hunting, shooting or capturing of any species of bird or animal is
prohibited except by or under the control of highest authority in the
department responsible for the management of the sanctuary and whose
boundaries and character should be sacrosanct as far as possible.
 By June 1992 India had 416 sanctuaries.
 The Board has further clarified the position by stating that while the
management of sanctuaries does not involve suspension or restriction of
normal forest operation, it is desirable to aside a completely sacrosanct area
within a sanctuary to be known as ‘Abhyaranya’.
 It has also indicated that sanctuaries should be made accessible to the public.
 Wildlife sanctuaries of India are classified as IUCN Category IV protected
areas. Between 1936 and 2016, 543 wildlife sanctuaries were established in
the country that cover 118,918 km2 (45,914 sq mi) as of 2017.
Important Wildlife Reserve / Sanctuaries in India
Biodiversity Conservation :
• Biosphere Reserves
 Biosphere Reserves have been described
as undisturbed natural areas for scientific
study as well as areas in which conditions
of disturbance are under control.
 These serve as the centres for ecological
research and habitat protection, The
“Biosphere consists of two main zones as
:
• Core area & Buffer zone.
 Presently, there are 18 notified biosphere
reserves in India.
Important Biosphere Reserves in India
 Special projects :
 Project Tiger :

 A fast decline of the tiger population lead to the set up of a special task force in
1970 by the Indian Board for Wildlife

 It prepared an action plan to conserve the tiger population in India. As a result

‘Project Tiger’ was launched on 1 April 1973

 Gir Lion Project :

 The Asiatic lion is now confined to the Gir Forest of Gujarat. The sanctuary
harbored nearly 200 of them. The great reduction in the number was due to the
increased threat from overgrazing, depletion of prey species, etc.

 The Asiatic lion was in danger of being wiped out either due to starvation,
epidemics or human interference. In 1972 the State government prepared a
scheme for the management of the Gir Lion Sanctuary with proper guidelines for
conservation. The Centre provided assistance for the protection and
improvement of the habitat.
 Special projects :
 Himalayan Musk Deer Project :

 The musk deer (Moschus moschiferus) which was once found throughout the Himalayan
tract has terribly suffered due to its musk been used in the preparation of perfumes and
medicine. Secondly the habitat destruction brought about a sharp decline in their
population. A conservation project was therefore launched at the Kedarnath sanctuary in
U.P.

 Crocodile Breeding Project :

 The three varieties of crocodile population viz., gharial (cavialis gangeticus), the mugger
(Crocodylus palusstris) and the salt-water crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) witnessed a
sharp decline by the early 1970s. With the assistance of the UNDP, the Government of
India launched a crocodile breeding and management project.

 The Project Elephant :

 It was launched with a view to protect and conserve the elephant population of the
country. Project Elephant aimed at restoring degraded habitats of elephants. Creation of
migration corridors, elimination of human interference and establishment of a data base
on the migration and population dynamics of elephants e.g. elephant habitat restoration
work was done in Rajaji National Park.