Biodiversity Conservation

Biodiversity Conservation

This article deals with ‘Biodiversity Conservation  – UPSC.’ This is part of our series on ‘Environment’ which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles on Science and technology, you can click here


Introduction

Conservation of biodiversity is the protection and scientific management of biodiversity so that present and future generations can derive sustainable benefits from it.

Biodiversity Conservation

In-Situ Conservation

  • In-Situ Conservation means conservation in the natural habitat.
  • It involves the conservation of the whole ecosystem to protect threatened species at all levels.
  • It is done by establishing a ‘PROTECTED AREA NETWORK‘ backed by legislation. These Protected Area Networks are 
    1. National Parks 
    2. Wildlife Sanctuaries 
    3. Biosphere Reserves
    4. Conservation Reserves 
    5. Community Reserves 
    6. Sacred Grooves 
    7. Eco-Sensitive Zone
    8. Biodiversity Heritage Sites 
  • Other steps for In-Situ Conservation of Biodiversity
    1. ICMBA (Important Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Areas) 
    2. UNESCO World Heritage Sites 
    3. Go Area and No Go Areas 
    4. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)

1. National Park

  • National Park is a natural habitat notified by the state government due to its ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, or zoological association of importance. 
  • These are declared under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 
  • It works on the principle of ‘Everything is prohibited unless permitted.’
  • No human interference is allowed. Activities such as development, forestry, hunting, cultivation and grazing are not permitted.
  • There are 104 national parks in India (1.23% area of India).

Ranking (for prelims)

  • Maximum Area: Uttarakhand  
  • Maximum number: Madhya Pradesh and Andaman & Nicobar with 9 each.
  • Punjab, Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, Delhi and Lakshadweep have zero National Parks.

List of National Parks

State National Parks (NP)
Jammu Kashmir – Dachigam
Hemis
Kishtwar  
Himachal – Great Himalayan
Khirganga
Simbalbara
Pin Valley  
Haryana Kalesar
Sultanpur   
Uttarakhand – Jim Corbett 
– Valley of flowers 
Gangotri
Nanda Devi 
Rajaji National Park  
Uttar Pradesh – Dhudwa  
Bihar Valmiki   
Jharkhand Hazaribagh  
Rajasthan – Desert National Park
– Mukundra Hills
– Ranthambhore
 
Gujarat – Black Buck
– Gir forest
Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch
Vansda  
Madhya Pradesh – Bandhavgarh
– Kanha
Madhav
Mandla Plant Fossil
Omkareshwar
Satpura
Sanjay Gandhi 
Pench  
Chhattisgarh Guru Ghasidas
Indravati
Kanerghati  
Maharashtra Chandoli
Gugamal
Tadoba
Sanjay Gandhi    
Goa – Molem   
Karnataka Anshi
– Bandipur
Bannerghata
Kudremukh 
Rajiv Gandhi / Rameswaram
Nagarhole
Kerala – Silent Valley
– Periyar  
Anamudi Shola
Eravikulam 
Mathikettan Shola  
Tamil Nadu  Madumalai
Guindy
Gulf  of Mannar
Mukkurthi  
Andhra Pradesh Papikonda
Srivenkateshwara   
Telangana Kasu Brahmananda Reddy
Mahavir Harin Vanasthali
Mrugavani  
Odisha – Simlipal
– Bhitarkanika  
West Bengal  Singalila National Park
– Gorumara National Park
Jaldapara
Neoral valley
– Sundarbans  
Assam – Dibru Saikhowa
– Kaziranga 
– Manas
Nameri
Orang  
Meghalaya Balprakham
– Nokrek  
Arunachal Mouling
– Namdapha  
Nagaland Itanki
Ngtangki  
Mizoram Murlen 
Phwangpui Blue Mountain  
Manipur – Keibul Lamjao
– Sirohi  
Tripura Rajbari National Park
Clouded Leopard National Park  
Andaman & Nicobar Campbell bay
Galathea
– Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
Middle Button Island
North Button Island
South Button Island
Saddle Peak
Rani Jhansi
– Mount Harriet  

2. Wildlife Sanctuaries

  • Wildlife Sanctuary is an area of adequate ecological, floral, faunal or zoological significance notified by the State Government as a sanctuary.
  • The purpose behind the formation of the wildlife sanctuary is to protect endangered species. 
  • The Wildlife Sanctuaries are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • It works on the principle of ‘Everything is permitted unless prohibited .’
  • Restricted human activities such as grazing, firewood collection, settlement of Adivasis, ecotourism etc., are allowed inside Wildlife Sanctuary as long as animal life is undisturbed.
  • There are 544 Wildlife Sanctuaries in India (3.62 % area of India).

Ranking (for prelims)

  • The maximum area under Wildlife Sanctuaries is in Gujarat.
  • The maximum number of Wildlife Sanctuaries is in Andaman & Nicobar (96), followed by Maharashtra (40).

List of important Wildlife Sanctuaries

Note: The list is not exhaustive.

State Wildlife Sanctuary
Jammu Kashmir Karakoram
Lachipora
Gulmarg 
Surinsar Mansar
Nandini
Hokersar
Changtang    
Punjab Bir Motibagh
Harike Pattan  
Himachal Pong dam
Gobind Sagar
Naina Devi
Shikari Devi
Manali
Kalatop and Khajjiar
Renuka  
Haryana Chautala
Bir Shikargarh  
Delhi Indira Priyadarshini  
Uttarakhand Kedarnath 
Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary  
Uttar Pradesh Chandraprabha
Okhla bird sanctuary
National Chambal sanctuary  
Bihar Barela Salim Ali Zubba Saheni WLS
Gautam Buddha
Kaimur
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary  
Jharkhand Palamau
Gautam Buddha
Kodarma  
Rajasthan Mount Abu  
Chambal
– Darrah
Jaswant Sagar
Jawahar Sagar
Keladevi
Kumbhalgarh
Nahargarh
Phulwari
Swai Mansingh  
Gujarat Kutch desert
– Indian Wild Ass
Jessore
Purna
Nalsarovar   
Madhya Pradesh  Bori
Gandhi Sagar
Narsinghgarh
National Chambal
Panchmarhi
Kuno
– Singhori
Maharashtra Melghat
Koyna
Wainganga
Kalsubai Harishchandra
Great Indian Bustard  
Chhattisgarh Achanakmar 
Sitanadi  
Goa Salim Ali
Bird Sanctuary  
Karnataka Ghatprabha Bird Sanctuary 
Cauvery
– Ranganathitoo Bird Sanctuary
Shravati valley  
KERALA Waynad
Parambikulam 
Chinmoy
Idukki
Thattekkad bird sanctuary
Malabar  
Tamil Nadu Point Calimere 
Sathyamangalam
Shenbagathoppu Grizzle Squirrel WLS  
Andhra Pradesh Nellattu Bird Sanctuary
Kolleru Lake
Srivenkateshwara
Pulicat lake 
Krishna
Koudinya  
Telangana Pranhita
Manjira  
Odisha – Satkosia Gorge
Gahirmatha
Chilika bird sanctuary
Bhitarkanika  
West Bengal   Lothian island
Haliday island  
Assam Deepor Bil
– Sonai Bupai   
Sikkim Barsey Rhododendron
Shingba Rhododendron  
Arunachal Kamlang
Eagle nest
Itanagar 
Sessa Orchid  
Tripura Gumti  
Andaman&Nicobar Ross Island

3. Biosphere Reserves

  • Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial & coastal ecosystems that promote biodiversity conservation with its sustainable use. They are internationally recognized within the framework of UNESCO’s Man & Biosphere (MAB) Programme & nominated by national governments under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
  • The stress of MAB is to protect the threatened habitats and not the particular species.
  • Living is not permitted in National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, but Biosphere Reserves have very low restrictions on the residence. Biosphere Reserves are living examples of how human beings and nature can co-exist while respecting each other’s needs.

Biosphere Reserves in India

  • India has 18 Biosphere Reserves. Out of these 18, 12 are recognized under the UNESCO MAB network.
Name Date of notification Location
Nilgiri 1986 Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka
(It was the first Indian Biosphere Reserve to be recognised under MAB)
Nanda Devi  1988 Uttarakhand 
Nokrek  1988 Part of Garo hills (Meghalaya)
Great Nicobar  1989 Andaman & Nicobar Islands 
Gulf of Mannar 1989 Tamil Nadu
Manas 1989 Assam 
Sundarbans 1989 Situated in West Bengal, Sundarbans are part of the delta formed by the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems. 
Simlipal 1994 Orissa  
Dibru-Saikhowa 1997 Assam
Dehang-Dibang 1998 Arunachal Pradesh. 
Panchmarhi 1999 Madhya Pradesh. 
Kanchendzunga  2000 Sikkim.
Agasthyamalai 2001 Kerala (mainly) and Tamil Nadu (small part) . 
Achanakamar – Amarkantak 2005 M.P. and some parts in Chhattisgarh State.
Kutch 2008 Gujarat State
Cold Desert 2009 Himachal Pradesh
Seshachalam Hills 2010 Andhra Pradesh
Panna 2011 Madhya Pradesh   

  National Park Wildlife Sanctuary Biosphere Reserve
Act Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972   Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Reserve Program  
Level of Human interference allowed No human interference is allowed. Limited human interference is allowed. The purpose is both conservation and sustainable use of the forest by the local community.  
Permitted activities Everything prohibited unless permitted. Everything permitted unless prohibited. Established for
1. Conservation 
2. Education and recreation
3. Logistic support, i.e. exchange of information on the world network of Biosphere Reserves.
Changing the boundary The boundary is sacrosanct, i.e. can’t be altered except by legislation.   The boundary can be altered by executive order. Boundary can’t be altered except by legislation.
Focus of conservation The focus is on the conservation of selected (few) species. The focus is on the conservation of a few  (selected) species. The focus is on the conservation of the entire ecosystem.

4. Conservation Reserves

  • The State Government declares conservation Reserves in consultation with local communities in any Government-owned area, especially in the areas lying adjacent to National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries and areas linking one Protected Area with another to protect landscapes, seascapes, flora and fauna. 
  • These are declared under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. (added via Amendment in 2002)
  • The declaration of the area as a Conservation Reserve doesn’t affect the rights of people living inside a Conservation Reserve.
  • There are 97 Conservation Reserves in India. You can check their names by CLICKING HERE


5. Community Reserves

  • The State Government declares Community Reserves in any area owned by any private person or community where an individual or a community has volunteered to conserve wildlife and its habitat. 
  • These are declared under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. (added via Amendment in 2002)
  • The declaration of the area as a Community Reserve doesn’t affect the rights of people living inside a Conservation Reserve.
  • There are 214 Community Reserves in India. Almost all of them are in North-East. You can check their names by CLICKING HERE

Side Topic: Tribes playing important role in Biodiversity Preservation

Bishnoi Rajasthan & Punjab Bishnois consider trees sacred.
Involved in protecting the entire ecosystem, including animals & birds that exist in their villages.
Chenchu Andra Pradesh Involved in the Tiger Conservation
Maldhari Gujarat – Involved in Lion Conservation and played the leading role in increasing the number of Lions in Gir.
Bugun Arunachal Involved in the protection of endangered Bugun Bird
Nyishi Arunachal Involved in the protection of Hornbills

6. Sacred Groves

  • Sacred Groves, also known as Sacred Woods, are groves of trees having some special religious or cultural importance.
  • These are protected areas under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (added via amendment in 2002).

A list of Sacred Groves are

Punjab Chat Patt Bani (Pathankot dist)
Baba Sukhaiya Ji ( Hoshiarpur Dist)
Dargah Peer Baba Manju Shah Ji (Ropar Dist)
Uttarakhand Devbhumi
Bugyals  (Sacred Alpine Meadows)
Rajasthan Orans
Kenkris
Jogmaya
Jharkhand Sarana
Maharashtra Devrai
Devgudi
Devrahati
Goa Deorai
Pann
Karnataka Devara Kadu
Kerala Kavu
Sara Kavu
Tamil Nadu Swami shoal
Koikadu
Puducherry Kovil Kadu
Andhra Pradesh Pavithravana
Odisha Jahera
Thukuramma
West Bengal Garamthan
Harithan
Jahera
Sabitrithan
Santalburithan
Meghalaya Ki Law Lyngdoh
Ki Law Kyntang
Ki Law Niam
Arunachal Pradesh Gumpa forests (attached to Buddhist Monasteries)
Manipur Gamkhap
Mauhak (sacred bamboo reserve)


7. Biodiversity Heritage Sites

  • “Biodiversity Heritage Sites” (BHS) are terrestrial, coastal or inland areas rich in biodiversity, with some of the following characteristics.
    1. Richness of species 
    2. High endemism
    3. Presence of keystone species, rare species, threatened species etc.
    4. Presence of past biological components
  • They are declared under National Biodiversity Act, 2002.


8. Eco-Sensitive Zones

  • Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas within a 10 km radius of Protected Areas.
  • They are declared under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
  • The aim of declaring any area as an Eco-Sensitive Zone is to minimize the impacts of activities carried out in the areas surrounding protected areas on the fragile ecosystem of protected areas.


9. ICMBA (Important Coastal & Marine Biodiversity Areas)

  • These are declared under AICHI BIODIVERSITY TARGETS.
  • The aim is to conserve a substantial portion of the Coastal and Marine Areas
  • Towards achieving this target, 106 coastal and marine sites have been identified and prioritized as Important Coastal and Marine Areas (ICMBAs) by the Wildlife Institute of India. 


10. UNESCO World Heritage Site

The UNESCO World Heritage Sites are the places listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)  as places of special cultural or physical significance.


Total in India = 40 

  • 7: Physical
  • 1: Mixed 
  • 32: Cultural (2021: Dholavira = Latest entry)

The largest number of World Heritage Sites are in Italy, followed by China. India is ranked 6th.


Related to Physical Significance = 7 + 1 (mixed)

Name State Notified
Kaziranga National Park Assam 1985
Keoladeo Ghana National Park Rajasthan 1985
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary Assam 1985
Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand 1982 2005
Sundarbans National Park West Bengal 1984
Western Ghats Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala 2012
Great Himalayan National Park Himachal Pradesh 2014
Kanchendzunga  (mixed) Sikkim 2016

11. Go Area & No Go Area

In 2010, Environment Ministry divided the areas into two parts for mining purposes, i.e. Go Area & No Go Area. 

Cat A (No Go) 10 % weighted Forest Cover or 30% Gross Forest Cover 
No permission was given to doing miningin the No Go area. 
Cat B (Go) Those areas which are not in Cat A are categorised as Cat B.
Mining can be done here.

The concept of Go and No-Go Area was for mining projects, but NGOs started to file PIL arguing to extend it to activities such as tourism, settlement etc., and restrictions in the No Go areas should be made more stringent. All this led to the problem of environmental clearances. 


TSR Subramanium Committee suggested the whole concept of Go & No-Go areas in the following way

No Go Area Those areas which are Protected Area
1. Wildlife Sanctuary
2. National Park
3. Conservation Reserves
4. Community Reserves
Or Forest with 70% Canopy
Go Area Areas that are not there in the No Go Area

12. Coastal Regulation Zone

Timeline

1991 CRZ Notification issued under Environment (Protection) Act
2011 CRZ Regulation was updated and made more stringent. But various stakeholders were demanding revising these regulations and providing relaxation.
2015 Shailesh Nayak Committee submitted a report regarding the revision of CRZ Regulations.
Dec 2018 New CRZ Notification issued by the government

CRZ Notification, 2018

  • CRZ Notification divided the Coastal area into 4 Zones vis Zone 1 to Zone 4.
Coastal Regulation Zone
  • No development zone (NDZ) was reduced to 50 meters from the High Tide Line on the landward side, decreasing it from 200 metres in 2011 notifications.
  • Tourism infrastructure: The notification allows temporary tourism facilities such as shacks, toilet blocks, change rooms etc., on beaches at a minimum distance of 10 m from HTL.
  • CRZ clearances are needed only for projects located in CRZ-I (eco-sensitive zones areas and intertidal zones) and CRZ IV (12 NM from LTL towards the sea).
  • Defence and strategic projects have been accorded necessary dispensation.

On one side, these regulations will help in promoting economic development and tourism. But, it has also made the coastal ecology and communities vulnerable.


Ex-Situ Methods of Conservation

  • The Ex-Situ conservation method involves conserving the selected plant or animal species outside their natural habitation.
  • These include
    1. Seed Banks
    2. Gene Banks
    3. Zoo
    4. Botanical Gardens


1. Seed Banks

  • In Seedbanks, the seeds can be stored at low temperature and humidity as a backup in the case of any unforeseen circumstances. 
  • Important Seedbanks are Global Seedbank Vault at Svalbard (Norway) and Indian Seed Vault at Chang La (Ladakh).
  • Although useful, this strategy faces issues like seeds have a finite life and need to be replaced. Along with that, seed banks of private companies like Monsanto are only concerned with storing commercially viable seeds. 

Examples of Seed Banks

1. Global Seed Vault at Svalbard (Norway)

  • It is a state-of-the-art seed protection facility, famously called the ‘Doomsday’ or the ‘Apocalypse’ Seed Bank or ‘Noah’s Ark for seeds’.
  • It is situated in the remote Arctic Svalbard archipelago (part of Norway).
  • It was established in 2008.
  • It is located 1000m deep inside the mountain.

2. India’s Seed Vault

  • It is situated at Chang La, Ladakh, in the Institute of High Altitude Research.
  • It was made in 2010 by ICAR, CSIR and the Department of Biotechnology.
  • In India, the seed bank is managed by the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Research.
  • The Indian seed vault is the second largest vault in the world, after Global Seed Vault.

3. NAVDANYA

  • It is a community-based seed bank that has a presence in around 17 states in India.
  • In this, the farmers grow the seeds as well as supply the seeds.
  • In the Navdanya, the farmers are encouraged to grow their own seeds, taught the traditional farming method, and at the end of the season, they should return25% of the seeds.
  • Navdanya is also promoting eco-feminism. 

2. Gene Banks

  • Gene banks act as biorepository by preserving the genetic material.
  • In Gene banks, cryopreservation techniques can preserve genetic strains of threatened species for long periods.


3. Zoo

  • Zoos can be used to raise some endangered species, try to breed them & reintroduce their offspring back into the jungle. 
  • The Zoological Survey of India declares zoos under Wildlife Protection Act. 
  • But Zoos face many issues like 
    • All the species can’t breed in captivity.
    • If an animal is reintroduced to its natural habitat, the animal finds it difficult to survive in the wild. Hence, the captive breeding of animals should be used only in exceptional circumstances. 
    • Zoos concentrate on big & popular species like tigers, pandas etc., which can attract a large population. They are least interested in protecting small species.


4. Botanical Gardens

  • Botanical Gardens are set up to facilitate ex-situ conservation and propagation of the country’s rare & threatened indigenous plants.
  • The Botanical Survey of India declares them under Wildlife Protection Act. 
  • Examples: BOTANIC GARDEN OF THE INDIAN REPUBLIC (BGIR), NOIDA 

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