CONSERVATION OF

WILDLIFE IN INDIA

INTRODUCTION Wildlife includes all non-domesticated

plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal

species for human benefit has occurred many times all.

This has effects are all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative

Wildlife can be found in all ecosystems. Deserts, rain forests, plains, and other

areas including the most developed urban sites, all have distinct forms of wildlife.

But today most of the wildlife around the world is affected by human activities

This has been a reason for debate throughout recorded history.

Wildlife of India Wildlife of India is a mix of species of

diverse origins. The regions rich and diverse wildlife is

preserved in numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries across the country.

Since India is home to a number of rare and threatened animal species, wildlife management in the country is essential to preserve these species.

According to one study, India along with mega diverse countries and is home to about 60-70% of the world’s biodiversity.

India, lying within the Indomalaya ecozone, is home to about 7.6% of all mammalian, 12.6% of avian, 6.2% of reptilian, and 6.0% of flowering plant species.

Need conservation of for wildlife in India The need for conservation of wildlife in

India is often questioned because of the apparently incorrect priority in the face of direct poverty of the people.

Many rare species of animals that are only found in India are getting extinct day by day.

Examples are Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions found in India, many species of reptiles etc

Wildlife Protection Act The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 refers to as weeping package of legislation enacted in 1972 by the Government of India.

The Act provides for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants; and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto.

The act came in action in 1972 , and thereafter increased the protection of wildlife to higher level

Tiger protection The framework was then setup to formulate a project

for tiger conservation with an ecological approach. Launched on April 1, 1973, Project Tiger has become

one of the most successful conservation ventures in modern history.

The project aims at tiger conservation in specially constituted tiger reserves which are representative of various bio-geographical regions falling within India.

It strives to maintain a viable tiger population in their natural environment.

Today, there are 39 Project Tiger wildlife reserves in India covering an area more than of 37,761 km².

Some Biosphere Reserves The Indian government has established 15 Biosphere Reserves of India

which protect larger areas of natural habitat and often include one or more National Parks and/or preserves

along buffer zones that are open to some economic uses.

Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna of the protected region, but also to the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their ways of life.

Bio-reserves in India Sunderbans Gulf of Mannar The Nilgiris Nanda Devi Nokrek Great Nicobar Manas Simlipal

Dihang Dibang Dibru Saikhowa Agasthyamalai Kanchenjunga Pachmarhi Achanakmar-

Amarkantak Kachchh

CONSERVATION CHALLENGES The challenges to conservation of large

mammals in a developing country like India are complex.

The needs of a increasing human population and the consequent growth of the market where India has become part of the expanding global economy has been at the centre of conservation problems of our country.

The protected wildlife areas constitute a mere 3% of the total land mass with ever-increasing pressure on this fragmented landscape.

Any further exploitation of the last remaining bits of protected areas to meet human and development needs, which in any event need to be met by using 97% of the landscape, will surely lead to the decimation of large mammal assemblages.

Conservation of large mammal’s in India is beset with serious problems such as habitat loss, fragmentation of forests, illegal hunting, commercial exploitation of forest products, livestock grazing, forest fires, unscientific management practices and ignorance of the need for wildlife conservation

The Progressive loss of habitat include fragmentation>> Illegal hunting and wildlife trade>> Commercial exploitation of forests>> Removal of dead and fallen trees>> Collection of minor forest produce>> Livestock grazing

Also fire in the forest causes Habitat destruction and fragmentation Deforestation

increased road-building in the forests are a significant concern because of increased human encroachment upon wild areas, increased resource extraction and further threats to biodiversity.

How can one help conserve the environment and wildlife? Public opinion and

awareness are two critical factors that will finally make a difference.

Here are outline of some activities that we can consider for awareness and to save forests and wildlife in India.

Try to learn as much as possible about India’s wildlife (from books, the internet, seminars and talks) and about the importance of the ‘Web of Life’.

Get people involved in your cause - in your colony, in your colleges and schools as well as your local MLAs.

Organize trips to local wildlife areas, or botanical gardens and the zoo.

Keep in touch with media people.

Keep in touch with Forest Department - often they need volunteers for some of their field activities.

Keep in touch with the Honorary Wildlife Warden and conservation NGOs in your area. Offer assistance wherever possible.

In day to day life, remember the six Rs: Refuse Reduce Re-use Reinvent Recycle (paper, plastic etc) Replenish (water-harvesting, planting trees etc)

Conclusion The natural world is a complex system. Only by

understanding how species relate to each other and their environment can we hope to properly protect wildlife and preserve their habitat for the future.

The best scenario would imply integrated community development and wildlife conservation promoted by national park managers and supported by local populations.

Community-based conservation should give indigenous people the right to limited and sustainable use of natural resources while promoting tolerance towards wildlife, responsible interaction with their natural villagers, appreciate nature’s intrinsic value and agree with the necessity to protect forests and their wildlife inhabitants for future generations.

In order to enhance protected area effectiveness, conservation should be based on sound scientific knowledge, practical local indigenous knowledge and collaboration.

Also there must be awareness in people for saving animals.

Jawaharlal Nehru had truly said “A country is known by the way it treats its animals”.

THANK YOU !!!