Biodiversity and its Conservation PDF

BIODIVERSITY & ITS CONSERVATION By DR. RAHUL KR. KHADWALIA  INTRODUCTION  Every organism in this living world, whether it is plant, an animal or a microorganism, is unique in itself.  Different places in different parts of the wor...

BIODIVERSITY & ITS CONSERVATION By DR. RAHUL KR. KHADWALIA  INTRODUCTION  Every organism in this living world, whether it is plant, an animal or a microorganism, is unique in itself.  Different places in different parts of the world have their own typical type of flora (Plants) and fauna (animals)  The degree of biodiversity is endless.  Biodiversity encompasses microscopic protozoa to about 30 meters long blue whale among animals and Micromonas (algae) to about 100 meter tall red wood trees of California among plants.  BIODIVERSITY ???  Bio= living  Diversity = variety  Thus, it refers to variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial and aquatic (both marine & fresh water) ecosystems.  CONTD…  Biodiversity is a concise form of Biological Diversity.  The term was coined by Harvard scientist E.O. Wilson in 1985.  Biodiversity may be defined as the variability among millions of species of plants, animals and microorganisms; the gene they contain; and the intricate ecosystem they help build into the living environment.  Biodiversity is earth’s primary life support system and is a precondition for human survival.  The concept of biodiversity was first discussed in the UNCED at Rio de Janerio in 1992.  CBD signed during UNCED  Biologist Edward O. Wilson has become the best-known spokesperson for biodiversity.  An accomplished scientist and writer, he has raised awareness of threats to Earth’s life, and of impending species extinctions. GLOBAL MAGNITUDE OF BIODIVERSITY  Biodiversity is not uniformly distributed across the globe  Diversity of species increases from poles towards the tropics.  Tropical moist forests covers only 5-7% of land but posses about 50% of world’s species.  Warm and humid tropic regions of the earth, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropics of Capricorn, called Megadiversity region  Of the total biodiversity on this earth, more than 50% is concentrated in Megadiversity countries.  The group of 17 Megadiversity countries is known as LMMC-17  CONTD…  Megadiversity countries are Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Peru, Malaysia, Medagascar, Mexico, Zaire, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Ethopia, South Africa, Venezuela and Philippines.  Of these, Brazil is richest in biodiversity, both quantitatively and qualitatively.  There are about 10 million species of living organisms on this earth, of which only less than 2 million have been identified and describes and about 80% have not yet been explored  LEVELS OF BIODIVERSITY…. Genetic Species Ecosystem Genes within Represents Diversity in same species species richness complex systems show variation & abundance in in physical, E.g. Colour & a community ecological, food sizes of Rose No. of plants, web, nutrient animals, birds in cycling an area. Diversity in forest  COMPONENTS OF BIODIVERSITY Genetic Species diversity diversity Ecosystem diversity  GENETIC DIVERSITY  Genetic diversity refers to the variation of genes within species.  Variation may be in alleles, in the entire gene or in chromosomal structure.  When genes, within the same species, show different versions due to new combinations, they result genetic variability.  SPECIES DIVERSITY  The number or variety of species in a particular region  Species richness = number of species  Species diversity refers to the diversity within a population or between different species of a community or an ecosystem.  The species diversity is thus directly proportional to the species richness and species richness to the area occupied by the species  COMMUNITY AND ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY  Community and ecosystem diversity refers to the number of ecological niches, various ecological processes and a variety of trophic levels that sustain food chain, food webs and recycling of nutrients.  Species diversity at different geographical scales are: 1) Alfa Diversity: Also known as local diversity. Diversity within a community 2) Beta Diversity: Diversity between communities 3) Gamma Diversity: Diversity of habitat over the total landscape or geographical area.  GRADIENTS OF BIODIVERSITY  Changes in latitude and altitude markedly affect the biodiversity.  On moving from high to low latitudes, i.e., from poles to equator, the species diversity increases.  Similarly, there occurs a decrease in species diversity from lower to higher altitudes on mountains.  It is also expected that if the physical environment is more complex and heterogeneous, the flora and fauna will also be more complex and diverse.  BIOGEOGRAPHICAL CLASSIFICATION OF INDIA  India is the seventh largest country in the world as its geographical area.  The country lies north of equator between 80 4’ and 370 6’ north latitude and 680 7’ and 970 25’ east longitude.  It measure 3214km from north to south and 2933 km from east to west with a total land areas of 3,287,263 sq.km  It is bounded on south-west by Arabian sea and in the south-east by Bay of Bengal.  India is classified in 10 biogeographical zones.  Each zone has its own climate, soil and topography. BIOGEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS OF INDIA  VALUES OF BIODIVERSITY  It is in terms of commercial utility, ecological services, social & aesthetic Values  Given by McNeely et al. 1990.  CONSUMPTIVE USE VALUE  In the form of food, drugs, fibre pulp, fuel, wood fall under this group  Food: 80,000 edible plants species are there.  About 90% of present day food crops have been domesticated from wild plants  A large number of wild animals are also source of food.  Drugs & Medicines:75% world’s population is dependent on plants or plant extracts for medicines  Isabgol- cure for bowel disorder obtained from husk of Plantago.  Penicillin- A wonder drug – used as Antibiotic – Fungus Penicillium  Tetracyclin- from bacterium ,Quinine – from Cinchona Tree- medicine for Malaria, Digitalin- from foxglove- for Heart Ailments ,vinblastin & vincristine – Anti-Cancer Alkaloids  Fuel: big source of fuel wood. Firewood collected by individuals are direct consumptive value  PRODUCTIVE USE VALUES  These are commercially usable values where the product is marketed & sold  Musk Deer- production of Musk , Silk Worm- Silk, wool from sheep, lac from insects.  Many industries are dependent on these products, e.g. pulp & paper industry, silk industry, ivory work, pearl industry, leather industry.  Problems--- trading of products from endangered species.  E.g smuggling of fur, horns, tusk, Snake Skin, cat skins.  Rich biodiversity are exploited.  SOCIAL VALUES Values associated with social life, customs, religion and psycho-spiritual aspects of the people Many plants are considered holy & sacred. Eg. Tulsi, mango, peepal etc. Social life, songs, dances, customs are woven with rounding wildlife Cow, snake, owl, bull have special value in biodiversity  ETHICAL VALUE  “All Life must be preserved” based on “Live and let live”.  This means we don’t use the species directly or indirectly, but we feel sorry about the loss of a species.  E.g. Passenger Pigeon or Dodo  They have a existence value Aesthetic Value It is related to the beauty of Biodiversity The pleasure, excitement and visual peace of any area Concept of Eco-tourism and willingness to pay are gaining grounds, leading to monetary estimate for aesthetic value of biodiversity  OPTION VALUE  This includes the potentials of biodiversity that are presently unknown and need to be explored.  This biological resources will be of importance in future if not today  Eg. Marine animals – anti cancer drugs Ecosystem Value It refers to ecosystem services, it is a non- consumptive value. Functions of ecosystems- nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation, cycling of water. Etc.  THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY Anthropogenic Natural causes causes  Loss of habitat  Narrow geographical  Poaching area  Man- Animal conflict  Low population  Introduction of exotic species  Low breeding rate  Pollution (Soil, Water, Air)  Natural disasters  Global warming and Climate  Diseases change  Over Population  Over-exploitation of bioresources  LOSS OF HABITAT  Continuous increase in human population and escalating demand for our natural resources  Conversion of forested land to agriculture.  Loss of habitat to grazing land, industries, roads and cities.  Habitat loss leads to the formation of isolated, small, scattered populations.  These small populations are increasingly vulnerable to inbreeding, which causes loss of gene pool, high infant mortality and susceptible to environmental changes, which all may lead to extinction of the species.  POACHING  Hunting for various body parts.  Illegal trade of skins, tusks, hair, horns  Many animals fall prey to various traps  International market very active  Tibet, China  Tiger skins, elephant tusks etc  Cost is very high.  Claws, Bones, Skins & Whiskers Musk Pod Horns & Skin ILLEGAL TRADE Ivory Wool for Shahtoosh Shawls Claws, Bones, Skins & Whiskers  Skin for belts/purses Shells As Curios ILLEGAL TRADE Hairs for fine paint brushes Skin Bile, Gall Bladder WILDLIFE TRADE: GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE Major Source Countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Central African Republic, China, Congo, Guyana, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Myanmar, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, S.Africa, S. Korea, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, USA, former USSR, Zaire Major Consumers: Canada, China, European Union, Hongkong, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, USA  Total : 1,133 Tigers Poached Maximum : 121 in 1995 Tiger Poaching in India  Total : 4,061 Leopards Poached Maximum : 1,278 in 2000 Leopard Poaching in India  Total : 200 Rhino Poached Maximum : 41 in 2013 Rhino Poaching in India Total : 886 Elephants Poached Maximum : 75 in 1996  ILLEGAL TRADE IN SHAHTOOSH  Shahtoosh: Very fine under –fleece of the Tibetan Antelope or Chiru (Planthelops hodgosonii)  Chiru is an endangered species found on the remote Tibetan Plateau and Xinjiang Qinghai provinces of Western China  They live at 12,000-16,500 feet above m.s.l. with average temperature -40C  Shahtoosh cannot be sheared off like other wool as the fibers obtained by shearing is too short to be spun into yarn  CONTD…  Only way of getting fibers of a suitable length is by killing and skinning the animal and plucking Shahtoosh from the pelt  Only 200 chirus are left  Chirus are adapted to live at height with harsh climate and low oxygen levels. All attempts to keep Chiru in captivity and breed them in captivity have failed Shahtoosh : Fashioned for extinction of Tibetan Antelope (Chiru)  ILLEGAL TRADE IN UTTARAKHAND  Uttarakhand’s rich wildlife and its proximity to Nepal, China and Delhi makes it extremely vulnerable to illegal wildlife trade  Poaching (2004 -2011) : 722 Leopards; 81 Tigers : 241 Elephants  Hotspot of Ivory Smuggling:  Uttarakhand hosts 14,000 Asian Elephants out of 50,000 elephants in India  280 kg of ivory seized in Uttarakhand since its creation in 2000  2.5 kg was seized in April 2016  1.0 kg of ivory fetches thousands of US $ in International market Key trafficking routes, Seizure hotspots and markets for tiger and leopard skins  MAN ANIMAL CONFLICT  When animal enters human territory and kills From fear  POLLUTION  Oil Spills  Biomagnification  Plastic accumulation  Noise  Algal Blooms  Heat  INTRODUCTION OF EXOTIC / INVASIVE SPECIES  Introduced from outside.  Harm the growth of local species.  Entire population wiped out  Competition for resources  Some exotic species like Eucalyptus, Australian Acacia and Gliricidia have been introduced in India for afforestation. GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE  As temperatures increased in recent decades, certain species began breeding and migrating earlier than expected.  Other studies found that the geographical range of numerous species had shifted pole ward or moved to a higher elevation -- indicating that some plants and animals are occupying areas that were previously too cold for survival.  Decline in breeding populations  CORAL BLEACHING  Increase in temperature causes bleaching.  The Great Barrier Reef along the coast of Australia experienced bleaching events in 1980, 1982, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006.  While most areas recovered with relatively low levels of coral death, some locations suffered severe damage, with up to 90% mortality BREAKUP OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES CAUSING EXTINCTION OF BIODIVERSITY Percentage Introduction of alien species- 16% Commercial Hunting- 21% Habitat alteration- 30% Hunting for sports- 12% Pest and predators control- 7% Hunting for food- 6% Pet trade- 5% Superstitious beliefs- 2%  GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY….  Currently about 1.9 million species are known,  Thought to be a significant underestimate of the total number of species (as of 2010).  0-30 million insects;  5-10 million bacteria;  1.5 million fungi;  1 million mites  3,21,212 – Plants  1,367,555 animals, including: 1,305,250 invertebrates ,62305 vertebrates  BIODIVERSITY OF INDIA India is one of the 12 mega diversity countries of the world. 2.4% of the land area, accounting for 7-8% of the species of the world. 10th among plant rich countries 11th in number of endemic species of higher vertebrates 6th in terms of centres of diversity Ministry of Environment and Forests records (as of 2000) 47000 plants: 7% of global. 91000 species of mammals: 6.5% of global. Large numbers have ENDEMIC - ORIGINATED in India 5000 flowering plants.. 340 corals  INDIA – AS A MEGA-DIVERSITY NATION  Endemism- species which are restricted only to a particular area. Eg. 50% Lizards are endemic to India. Western Ghats are the site of maximum endemism.  Centre of origin: Nearly 5000 species of flowering plants, 166 species of cropping plants and 320 species of wild relatives of cultivated crops have their origin in India.  Marine Diversity: India has 7500 Km long coastline having (mangroves, estuaries, coral reefs, black waters) rich biodiversity.  More than 340 species of corals are found in India  Rich in Molluscs, crustaceans, polychaetes, corals  93 major wetlands, Large Forest Cover. ENDEMISM  DID U KNOW THIS..?????  50 to 80% of Biodiversity is in rain forests.  Deserts show minimum biodiversity  Many species are identified everyday…  List goes on increasing  Marine biodiversity is extremely high.  1,25,000 flowering plant species are in Tropical forests  Roughly 1.5 million species are known till date which may be just 15% of actual number.  IUCN RED LIST CATEGORIES EXTINCT (EX)  A taxon is Extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. No reasonable record for last 50 years. e.g Indian Cheetah EXTINCT IN THE WILD (EW)  A taxon is Extinct in the Wild when it is known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population (or populations) well outside the past range. e.g Mulberry Silk moth CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CE)  This includes species, which are facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. The population of such species is very low and the threats to its habitats are very high. E.g. Asiatic Lion. ENDANGERED (EN)  It includes species that are not critically endangered but are in danger of extinction if the threats to its survival continue operating. Also, species whose numbers have been reduced to a critical level or whose habitats have been so drastically reduced are deemed to be in immediate danger of extinction. E.g. Tiger. VULNERABLE (VU)  It includes species that are not endangered but are likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the threats to its survival continue operating. It also includes species whose populations are still abundant but are under threat from severe adverse factors throughout their range. E.g. Giant Clam. NEAR THREATENED (NT)  Species is Near Threatened when it has been evaluated against the criteria but does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable now, but is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for one of these categories in the near future. E.g. Nicobar pigeon. RARE  This includes species with small populations in the world that are not at present endangered or vulnerable, but are at risk. These species are usually restricted within specific geographical areas or habitats or are thinly scattered over a more extensive range. E.g. Himalayan rafflesia. NOT EVALUATED (NE)  A taxon is Not Evaluated when it is has not yet been evaluated against the criteria. LEAST CONCERN (LC)  A taxon is Least Concern when it has been evaluated against the criteria and does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category. DATA DEFICIENT (DD)  A taxon is Data Deficient when there is inadequate information to make a direct or indirect assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status.  ENDANGERED SPECIES OF INDIA  According to the Red Data Book of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are 47 critically endangered species in India (As of 5 Sept 2011)  The number of endangered species in India accounts for around 8.86 % of the world`s mammals. The mammals are extended over 186 genera, 45 families and 13 orders out of which around 89 species are listed as threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals (IUCN 2006).  EXTINCT SPECIES ASIATIC CHEETAH  Extinct in India since 1949.  It lives in open semi-arid grassland, savannah, scrub or isolated low hillocks amidst plains  Fastest animal on land and can achieve terrific speeds of 115-120 km/h  Drier parts of southwestern and central Asia to India. In the past, the species used to occur in northern and central India.  Presently extinct in India; now found in USSR and in northeastern Iran as scattered survivor.  Main cause of extinction of this magnificent cat was destruction of habitat due to increase in human habitation and overgrazing by domestic stock  PINK HEADED DUCK  Size of a domestic duck. 60 cm in length.  Its bill was reddish pink, eyes red orange and its feet dark with a red tint. It was not only unique in having a pink head and neck, but was also the only duck to lay perfectly spherical eggs which looked like unpolished billiard balls.  Its habitat was tall grassland, floodplains and small lakes and ponds.  This bird was shy and secretive, and was rarely seen.  Resident of northern and northeastern India (Orissa, Bihar, Bengal, Assam and Manipur) in the forested foothills of the Himalayas and the adjoining plains. Some were also recorded as winter visitors to Punjab, Uttaranchal, Maharashtra, A P and T N.  Status: Probably extinct, but until the last known area of its former range is surveyed, this cannot be confirmed.  Its population started declining as early as 1878, obviously due to the shrinkage of its habitat and hunting.  The last authentic sight record was in June 1935 (Darbhanga, Bihar).  From 1984-1990, under the Project Endangered Birds, BNHS carried out intensive surveys to rediscover the bird, but were unsuccessful. ENDANGERED FLORA... WESTERN FLYTRAP (CEROPEGIA FANTASTICA) “CRITICALLY ENDANGERED”  A slender twiner that grows in open semi-evergreen forests among bushes on latertic soil  Distribution: Endemic to Western Ghats.  Status: Critically endangered as it has been threatened by habitat loss and absence of any conservation measures undertaken.  DALZELL’S FREREA  Introduction: A rare, endangered and endemic plant, originally found by Nicole Alexander Dalzell on a hill near Junnar where now it survives in very limited numbers.  It has not been seen in other similar habitats in the adjoining hilly areas, which are being denuded and eroded.  The species grows on exposed bare rocks of hill slopes and cliffs.  Distribution: Being locally endemic, it is found in Junnar and Purandhare Hills, Pune District, Maharashtra.  Status: Besides being endemic and rare, it has also been declared as one of the world’s 12 endangered species listed by the IUCN.  Collection and export of this species is banned. ENDANGERED FAUNA….  TIGER (PANTHERA TIGRIS)  Our national animal, graceful, royal, elegant.  It lives in varied habitat like dry open jungles, humid evergreen forests and mangrove swamps.  Distribution: Found practically throughout India except the deserts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and higher reaches of Himalayas. The number of tigers is negligible in Goa, Haryana, Tripura and Manipur.  Status: At present 1706.  Illegal poaching and loss of habitat have endangered the tiger.  Project Tiger in 1973.  ASIATIC LION (PANTHERA LEO) “CRITICALLY ENDANGERED”  A large powerfully built cat.  Distribution: A little over 100 years ago, the Asiatic Lion ranged from western Iran to eastern India. During the 19th century, it was reported in India from Gujarat to Bihar.  However, by the second half of the 20th century it had been wiped out of its entire range except Sasan Gir in Gujarat.  There are just 359 individuals left alive in India.  The main threats are poaching, loss of habitat to agriculture, decline in number of prey species, overgrazing by domestic stock and others.  ASIAN ELEPHANT (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS) “ENDANGERED”  Elephants are forest animals requiring a shady environment but having free access to grasses, an important part of their diet and water.  Distribution: In India, they are found in northern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, northeastern India, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.  26,390-30,770 are found in India  The major threat to elephant populations in India is the degradation and fragmentation of its habitat because of the human population explosion and consequent development.  Poaching of elephants for ivory is still a serious problem in India. As only male Asian elephants have tusks, males are heavily poached.  Elephant Project was started in 1992 by the Government of India  INDIAN WILD ASS “ENDANGERED”  It is an inhabitant of salt encrusted flats (on which almost nothing grows) dotted with a few scattered islands or bets, which are the only source of vegetation.  It is restricted to a small area in the Little Rann and other places in Gujarat (Wild Ass Sanctuary in Gujarat)  3,900 individuals in 2004.  One of the threats is the Surra disease, which is spread by domestic animals LION-TAILED MACAQUE (MACACA SILENUS) “ENDANGERED”  Distribution: Endemic to India and is known to occur in the Western Ghats from North Kanara southwards to Kerala and Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu.  Status: Today, less than 2500 mature individuals are surviving  The shrinkage of habitat has brought about a considerable decrease in the population of this macaque. Diversion of forests for large irrigation, power and mining projects and extension of roads are not only responsible for the loss of habitat but have even opened up inaccessible areas to human beings.  Modified land use for agriculture, extension of coffee and tea plantations and replacement of endemic forest trees by exotic species like eucalyptus and wattle are the major factors for the reduction in its numbers.  Some locals are also killing it for fur trade and the supposed aphrodisiac and medicinal properties of its flesh.  HOTSPOTS OF BIODIVERSITY  A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.  Areas which exhibit high species richness as well as endemism are termed as Hotspots of Biodiversity.  Myers introduced this term, at that time 25 Hotspots were identified out of which 2 were in India. Later 9 were added more bringing a total to 34.  About 40% terrestrial & 25 % vertebrate are endemic found in this hotspots  After tropical rain forests the second highest number endemic species are found in Mediterranean  These hotspots are threatened by human activities. More than 1 billion people most whom are desperately poor people, live in these areas.  Measures protecting these areas should be planned. Sr. No Name of Hotspots Sr. No Name of Hotspots 1 Tropical Andes 19 Indo-Burma 2 Mesoamerican Forests 20 South Central China 3 Caribbean 21 Western Ghats 4 Brazil’s Atlantic Forest 22 South-Western Australia 5 Choc/Darien of Panama Western 23 New Caledonia Ecuador 6 Brazil’s Cerrado 24 New Zealand 7 Central Chile 25 Polynesia/Micronesia 8 California Floristic Province 26 The Madrean Pine-Oak woodlands 9 Madagascar 27 Maputaland-Pondoland Albany 10 Eastern Arc & Coastal forest of 28 The eastern Afromontane Tanzania/ Kenya 11 Western African Forest 29 The Horn Africa 12 Cape Floristic Province 30 The Irano-Anatolian 13 Succulent Karoo 31 The Muntains of Central Asia 14 Mediterranean Basin 32 Eastern Himalaya 15 Caucasus 33 Japan 16 Sundaland 34 East Melanesiaan Islands 17 Wallacea 35 Andman and Nicobar 18 Phillipines BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS  EASTERN HIMALAYAS  Many deep and isolated valleys in Sikkim.  35,000 recorded flora endemic to Himalayas  4250 species in Sikkim of which 60% endemic  Sapria himalayana: a parasitic angiosperm seen only twice in last 70 years  WESTERN GHATS  17000 km2 strip of forests  20% forest Evergreen and semi-evergreen  4 states: Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu  40% endemic plants  62% amphibians  50% lizards  Agastyamalai hills, Silent Valley, New Ambamalam Reserve basin  UNDER ALARMING THREAT  INDO-BURMA  East of Ganges – Brahmaputra lowland  Indian states of Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland, South Assam.  One of the most densely forested regions of the country  13,500 species of plants out of which 7000 endemic  1260 species of birds  430 mammals  BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION  Conservation of biodiversity is concerned with the protection of genes and species and their number in population, ecosystems or habitats  Considering the rich diversity and the threats conservation of this vast biodiversity is very important  2 major approaches  In-situ conservation (at the place)  Ex-situ conservation (out of the place) CONSERVATION MEASURES  PROTECTED AREAS  Protected areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural, ecological and/or cultural values.  There are several kinds of protected areas, which vary by level of protection depending on the enabling laws of each country or the regulations of the international organizations involved.  "protected area" also includes Marine Protected Areas, the boundaries of which will include some area of ocean, and Trans- boundary Protected Areas that overlap multiple countries which remove the borders inside the area for conservation and economic purposes.  Protected areas are essential for biodiversity conservation.  India has 668 PA’s with a total area of 1,61,221.57 sq.km i.e 4.9% of total geographical area  LIST….. Sr.No Category of PA Total Number In Maharashtra in India 1 National Park 106 6 2 Wildlife Sanctuaries 573 49 3 Conservation Reserves 115 15 4 Community Reserves 220 0 5 Tiger Reserves 55 6 6 Elephant Reserves 32 0 7 Biosphere Reserves 18 1  NATIONAL PARK  A National Park is an area where the natural or historical objects of national significance are protected along with the wildlife therein, in such manner and by such means, as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.  Such protected areas are created by Central Legislation and enjoy highest level of legal protection.  They usually form the focal area of the Project Tiger Reserves.  The human activity is confined to management duties and controlled tourism, strictly enforced by law.  Corbett National Park, Gangotri National Park, Govind National Park, Nanda Devi National Park, Rajaji National Park  WILDLIFE SANCTUARY  A Wildlife Sanctuary is a place where some rare, wild, indigenous mammals, birds, reptiles and any other form of wildlife are found in good numbers and represents a region that needs protection together with the natural environment.  The State Forest Department creates such protected areas.  The Chief Wildlife Warden monitors human activities such as livestock grazing, collection of forest produce and tourism, within the sanctuary’s precincts.  Askot Musk Deer WLS, Nandhaur WLS, Binsar WLS, Govind Pashu WLS, Kedarnath WLS, Mussoorie WLS, Sonanandi WLS  BIOSPHERE RESERVES  Biosphere reserves are areas of terrestrial and coastal ecosystems promoting solutions to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. They are internationally recognized, nominated by national governments and remain under sovereign jurisdiction of the states where they are located.  In India, first biosphere reserve is Nilgiri biosphere reserve came into existence in September, 1986. This biosphere is lying at the tri-junction of the three states of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu.  Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve  CONT… A Biosphere Reserve is divided into three zones: a) Restoration Zone: It is also known as transition zone. Outermost degraded ecosystems used for restoration to natural conditions. b) Manipulation Zone: Also known as buffer zone. (i) Tourism Zone: It is inner part of buffer zone. This area is ear-marked for tourism, education, monitoring, research & educational purposes. (ii) Agriculture Zone: This area includes cultivated lands and tribal settlements. c) Nature Zone: Also known as core zone. Minimally distributed area. Only monitoring activities with strict regulation are allowed.  COMPARISSION OF PROTECTED AREAS S.No. PROPERTY BIOSPHERE NATIONAL SANCTUARY RESERVE PARK 1. Conservation Whole Ecosystem Habitat Species of 2. Size >5670 km2 Approx. 500- Approx. 100- 1000 km2 500 km2 3. Boundaries Circumscribed by Decided by By State legislation legislation 4. Tourism Permission with Permissible Permissible opportunities strict regulations 5. Conservation Attention given No attention No attention of gene pool 6. Scientific Provided Lacking Lacking Opportunities  TIGER RESERVES  Tiger reserves are operated by state forestry departments “to ensure maintenance of viable populations of the conservation dependent Bengal tigers in India.  The tigers are maintained for their scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values and to preserve for all time areas of biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people”.  Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, Rajaji Tiger Reserve  IMPORTANT NATIONAL PARKS , SANCTUARIES National Parks: Sanctuaries:  Jim Corbett National park  Bharatpur bird Sanctuary  Kanha  Karnala  Ranthambore  Ranganthittoo  Bandhavgarh  Wild Ass  Periyar  Jaldapara  Tadoba  Nagzira  Sariska  Radhanagari  Gir  Great Indian Bustard  Kaziranga CROCODILE BREEDING CENTER  PROTECTION BY LAW AND WORK BY ORGANIZATIONS, NGO’S  Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972  Biological Diversity Act, 2002  CITES : The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora.  World Conservation Union (formerly IUCN) The International Union for the Conservation of Nature  Indian Wildlife Board (IBWL)  WWF: Worldwide Fund for Nature  BNHS: Bombay Natural History Society  EX SITU CONSERVATION INSTITUTES  196 zoos, 34 botanical gardens, Aquaria  Gene bank/ seed bank Facilities:  National Bureau of Plant Genetic Research, Delhi (NBPGR)  National Bureau of Animal Genetic Research, Karnal (NBAGR)  National Facility for Plant Tissue Culture Repository (NFPTCR) THANK YOU