Flora and Fauna in India
* The variety if living things found in a region, country or the entire earth is called its biological diversity or biodiversity
* The different species of plants and trees are collectively called flora, while the different species of animals are collectively called fauna.
* India is home to around 1.6 million or nearby 8% of the total species of the flora and fauna found in the world.
* As per IUCN specification, the species of the flora and fauna can be classified as normal, extinct, endangered, vulnerable, rare or endemic.
Factors Responsible For the Depletion of Flora and Fauna
* India’s flora and fauna are getting depleted.
* Haunting and poaching, habitat destruction, deforestation, over-exploitation, enrichment plantations, environmental pollution and forest fires are the factors responsible for the decrease in the India’s biodiversity.
* The depletion of the flora and fauna has a considerable impact on the people who are directly dependent on forest for resources and livelihood.
* India’s flora and fauna requires immediate measures of conservation.
Conservation of forest and wildlife in India
* We need to conserve forests and wildlife to ensure our own survival.
* The Indian wildlife (protection) Act, 1972, provides for extensive conservation methods to protect wildlife.
* Conservation efforts in India now also cover species of insects and plants.
* Project tiger is an important conservation programme run by the Government of India.
Types and distribution of forests and wildlife
* Forest are classified as reserved forests, protected forests and unclosed forests.
* Conservation of nature has always been a part of Indian culture.
* Religious faith has lead to the conservation of specific trees and animals in different parts of India.
* Forest-dwelling tribal communities are helping in conservation efforts to ensure their own survival.
