Biodiversity hotspot conservation and regulations in India.

ABSTRACT

The discussion in this research paper is to protect biodiversity  hotspot in India and the transition of the regions that used to be rich  in endemic species but have experienced significant habitat loss  owing to rapid development, deforestation, climate change,  pollution, overexploitation of natural resources etc. India has several  biodiversity hotspots including the Himalayas, Indo-Burma Region,  Western Ghats, Sunderland . This research paper also enumerates  various types of diversities, species and based on the finding it even  intrudes the answers of the question of why biodiversity hotspots are  important? What is the IUCN red List? And what are the threats to  biological diversity? It even talks about how the Indian  government has established several regulations and policies to conserve and protect the unique flora and fauna . Major  among them are the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), which safeguards  wildlife and their habitats, and the Forest Conservation Act (1980),  which regulates deforestation. Additionally India is a signatory to five  major conventions related to biodiversity conservation viz. ,  Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild  Fauna and Flora (CITES), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD),  Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), Ramsar Convention, and the  World Heritage Convention.  

Keywords 

Biodiversity hotspots regions, IUCN red List, Threats to biodiversity  hotspots, Regulations, policies, conventions.  

Introduction

Biodiversity hotspot conservation and regulations in India is a  censorial topic to hold forth as it deals with the management of the  environment that are enduring grievous habitat loss, deforestation,  poaching, endangered as well as endemic species. India is a diverse  country which strut several biodiversity hotspot including the  Himalayas, The Western Ghats, Indo – Burma Region and Sundaland.  The conservation of these biodiversity hotspots is irresistible, such wise to safeguard the life cycle of the flora and fauna. Hereinafter  to protect and conserve the considerable biodiversity and the rare  species versatile countries frit endwise to effectuate the aforesaid  objective. Few conventions formulated for the same are Ramsar  Convention, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of  Wild Animals (CMS) , International Whaling Commission and world  Heritage Convention etc, are established to ensure sustainable  development. India has also solicited numerous measures to protect  and conserve the considerable environment and natural habitat of  the country. Numerous significant regulatory frameworks are also  solicited . So far as in this whole ecological system everything is  Incumbent upon inter alia as a efficacy of which if there would be  aught disequilibrium in the biodiversity that would direct to epochal  indictment to the human life too. 

What are the biodiversity hotspots in India?  

In India , there are majorly four biodiversity diversity hotspot which  are as follows :- 

1. Himalayas :- The Himalayas covers a portion of Nepal, Bhutan,  Pakistan and has a very high peak and is considerably different  from other biodiversity hotspots of india. 

2. Indo – Burma Region :- It has a very diverse and rare  ecological structure which is entirely peerless in all respects as  opposed to the variant.  

3. Western Ghats :- This is mainly known or responsible for its varying  pattern of rainfall and numerous forms of species and vegetation.  

4. Sundaland :- The astonishing ecological environment of this  hotspot is being destroyed rapidly. Most of the peerless species and  vegetation are endangered or on the verge of extinction.  

What is the IUCN Red List? 

IUCN red List came into force in the year 1964 , it's also deemed  as Red Data List . It works to enumerate the species and vegetation  which are on the verge of extinction,extinct, endangered. 

Extinct (EX) –species completely vanished. 

* Critically endangered (CR) – species which are on the verge of  extinction.  

Endangered (EN) – species which are at the peril of extinction.  Vulnerable (VU) – species which are at the verge of endangerment.  

* Near Threatened (NT) – species which are to be endangered  Erelong.  

* Least concern (LC) – species which are in the category of lower  peril.  

* Data Deficient (DD) – species whose data is not available as to what  extent they are extinct.  

* Not evaluated (NE) – species which are not yet evaluated. 

Why are Biodiversity Hotspots important? 

Biodiversity hotspots are crucial for the ecological cycle of the earth.  If the ecological restoration is not done then it would steerage to  peaky conditions of all living organisms of this earth as owing to the  adverse effects to the environment there would be the simultaneous  repugnant lay hold upon the agriculture, air quality, water conditions  etc, ergo the whole human society would be devastated. There is a  direct connection between nature, living organisms and humans .  Hereinafter such wise maintain ecological life cycle of the earth it's  vital to take care of the ecological cycle as a whole and not from the  humans point of view. Near the snappy loss in biodiversity, numerous  species have extinct or are at the verge of critically endangered.  The top five endangered species in India are :- Endangered Animal  Species: Royal Bengal Tiger ,The Great Asiatic Lion, The Snow  Leopard, Nilgiri Tahr Indian Rhino ;  Endangered Plant Species: Ebony tree, Indian Mallow, Malabar Lily,  Assam Catkin Yew, Milkwort.  

What are the threats to Biological Diversity  Hotspots?  

Nevertheless the concern of the biological cycle. These  biodiversity hotspots confront numerous threats. These are as  follows :- 

Habitat Destruction: The prime reason behind the habitat loss is due  to cutting down of trees on a large scale, land degradation due to  increased agricultural activities and environment pollution. 

Climate Change: The change in temperature, weather conditions  caused by human intervention affect the numerous species and the  dynamic ecosystem. 

Invasive Species: A non-native species when brought to an area where it  doesn't belong can underlay Mischief to the environment  whereupon ecological balance. 

Overexploitation: Exorbitant hunting, fishing, and logging  endangered species pop Demean environment and Contrarily Sway  ecological cycle of the earth's atmosphere 

What are the steps taken by the government  for biodiversity conservation?  

India is one of the diverse countries of the world. Yet the flora and  fauna of India is confronting the menace of extinction. The  Government of India has effectuated numerous vital steps, laws, and  policy such wise protect and conserve flora and fauna. The measures  include : 

1. The Central Government enacted the Wild Life (Protection) Act, in  1972. This Act regulates the establishment of the areas to  protect the wildlife species and it also deals with the punishment for  hunting of prescribed fauna .  

2. Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 . This Act  has been formulated for the protection and conserving of wetlands  across Indian territory.  

3. The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the National Plan for  Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystem. This is a scheme which is 

Notably formulated as such , it provides patronage in the management  of wetlands including Ramsar sites in the country. 

4. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau. This has been formulated  to cease the illegal trade in wildlife, like trading in the body  parts of animals etc.  

5. The Government of India has prohibited the harness of diclofenac  drug owing to the acute decline in the population of Gyps vultures  across the Indian ecological structure. Numerous Breeding  Programmes such as conserving the vulture species have been  undertaken in various states of India.  

6. The Government of India has established various protected Areas  like National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation as well as community  reserves across the country in accordance with the provisions of the  Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 suchwise provide preferential  

protection to wildlife and the endangered species.  

7. The Government of India has established the scheme of ‘Project  Tiger’, and ‘Project Elephant’ as such to ensure superior rampart to  wildlife. Eventually to achieve the objective the government  extended its financial as well as technical assistance.  

8. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been incorporated  under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, of 1972 such wise hold on and to  prosecute wildlife culprits.  

9. The State Governments have been authorized for the formation of  the zone and to Exacerbate patrolling around the zones which have  been protected. 

What are the vital Acts and Policies which  are passed by the Indian government  appurtenant to Environment and Biodiversity?  

1. Fisheries Act 1897 . This Act has been formulated for the  protection, promotion and development of the fisheries.  

2. Indian Forests Act 1927 . This Act has been formulated in order to  serve the needs of Peasant which were earlier forced to outrage the  law owing to its inadequacy and thus by consolidation and  amendment of numerous prior laws a completely new law  formulated.  

3. Mining and Mineral Development Regulation Act 1957 . This Act  has been formulated for the development and regulations of the  mines, minerals, oilfield etc.  

4. Prevention of cruelty to animals Act, 1960. This Act has been  incorporated such as the protection of animals from the Redundant  suffering owing to the deed of humans.  

5. Wildlife Protection Act 1972 . This act has been formulated for the  protection, conservation and sustainable development of the flora  and fauna.  

6. Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act 1974 . This act has  been formulated so as to protect, prevent and control the water  species from the undue advantage of humans whereupon from water  pollution.  

7. Forest Conservation Act 1980 . This act has been formulated to  protect and conserve the forest from deforestation.  

8. Air(prevention and control of pollution) act 1981.This Act has been  formulated in India to protect, prevent and control the air pollution. 

9. Environment Protection Act 1986 . This act has been formulated in  order to protect, prevent and conserve the environment from  depletion in respect of flora and fauna and air,water,soil quality.  

10. Biological Diversity Act 2002 . This Act has been formulated to  protect and preserve the biological diversity and to decasualize the  relentless use of the biological resources.  

The Policies appurtenant to Environment and Biodiversity are :- 1. National Forest Policy.  

2. National Conservation Strategy and Policy Statement on  Environment and Development. 

3. National Policy and Macro-level Action Strategy on Biodiversity. 4. National Biodiversity Action Plan (2009). 

5. National Agriculture Policy. 

6. National Water Policy. 

7. National Environment Policy (2006). 

What are the major international conventions to which India is a signatory?  

1. International Trade Convention in Endangered Species : This is an  international agreement which ascertains that the trade in specimens  with different countries does not sway or Intimidate the survival of  the species and considerable flora and fauna.  

2. World Heritage Convention : This is an international agreement  which aims to protect, conserve the culture and natural patrimony  across the world for the future incarnation. 

3. International Whaling Commission : This commission came into  force in 1964 as the committee which is amenable for protection,  management and conservative of whales whereupon whaling.  

4. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild  Animals (CMS) : This convention came into force on June 23 1979 and is also deemed to be the Bonn convention. It works to ensure the  patronage and perpetual use of migratory animals and their habitat  by strutting ecological balance.  

5. Ramsar Convention : This convention came into force in 1975 .It  renders a carcass for the prevention, conservation and sustainable  exploitation of wetlands.  

Conclusion 

Despite implementing several acts and policies by the Indian  government, the need to conserve and protect biodiversity hotspots is  still prevailing significantly across India owing to enforcement  issues, population pressure, climate change etc. There is a necessity of  strengthening protection which requires robust legal frameworks  and enforcement mechanisms to protect them from habitat loss,  deforestation and other threats. The desired results can be  effectuated by integrating conservation and sustainable development  , policy coordination, community involvement, enhancing monitoring  and research. But considering the facts that these rules have been  well-turned in establishing safe, secure and conserve areas like  national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, regulating hunting, poaching,  and actively managing wetland ecosystems. Thus, I solicit to reduce by  stating Heretofore every coin has two faces likewise the policies and  acts formulated by the government have impacted in a manner which is  effective to some extent yet the stringent actions are required in order  to effectuate the desired results. 

AUTHOR:

Poonam  

Army law College Pune, Savitribai Phule Pune University