Indian National Parks

Indian Biodiversity

• Most hotspots in India have lost around 70-90% of their original natural vegetation.

Species Count

• Over 90,000 animal species, including Protista, have been documented in India.
• Around 33% of Indian plants are estimated to be endemic to the country.

Biogeographic Zones

• India has 10 biogeographic zones.

Plant Species Richness

• India ranks 10th in the world in terms of higher plant species richness.
• There are over 50 species of cereals and millets found in India.

Protected Areas

• The Gir National Park is known for being the natural habitat of the Asiatic Lion.
• The Hemis National Park is located in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary is specifically mentioned as having Indian Rhinoceros.
• The Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Wildlife Sanctuary is highlighted for having the Indian Gaur as one of its major animals.
• Wildlife sanctuaries are established as Category IV protected areas according to the text.

Conservation Projects

• The Project Tiger is mentioned as significant in the protection of tigers.

National Parks

• National parks encompass around 1.16% of India's total surface area.
• The Jim Corbett National Park is recognized as the oldest in India.
• The primary reason for designating an area as a National Park is to conserve and develop the area's natural beauty, geological formations, and other natural features.
• A national park falls under the Category II protected area according to the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
• The Chief Wildlife Warden has the authority to permit human activities inside a national park in India.

Biodiversity Hotspots

• A biodiversity hotspot is characterized by a high level of endemism and habitat loss.
• A hotspot must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics.
• A hotspot must have lost at least 70% of its original habitat.
• Ecologists use the numbers of endemic plant species as an indicator of overall biodiversity because endemism correlates with other forms of diversity.

Conservation Efforts

• Around 35 areas have been labeled as biodiversity hotspots.
• The term 'biodiversity hotspot' was developed in 1988.
• The main objective of the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 in India is to provide protection to the wildlife and its habitat.
• The Indian government has established 18 Biosphere Reserves.
• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) provides a forum for discussing and resolving wildlife-related issues.
• Human settlements are not included in Biosphere Reserves established by the Indian government.
• The 104 existing national parks cover around 1.16% of India's geographical area.
• There are over 500 wildlife sanctuaries in India.