essay on biodiversity of telangana

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Telangana creating biodiverse ecosystems

Several forest areas see an increase in the number of birds and animals as the green cover is being revived

A drive along the State highways now presents a picturesque green cover complete with vibrant flowers and fruits. It is not uncommon to spot groups of birds, monkeys, deer and other species that reflect the thriving biodiversity in Telangana.

Photo: Munna

The State through its initiatives like the Mission Kakatiya, Mission Bhagiratha, Kaleshwaram Project and Haritha Haram is creating new ecosystems and habitats. Taking up afforestation in degraded forests is paying dividends. The increased green cover is helping the animals in sourcing food as well as in camouflaging and a result increase in numbers.

“The forest area remains the same or in some cases shrinking due to the increase in urbanisation. However, the increase in the tree density is making a pleasant impact,” says K Purushotham, District Forest Officer (DFO), Bhupalapally.

Among other tangible benefits, improving biodiversity has brought back big cats to Bhupalapally after 17 years, says the forest officer. “The reappearance of tiger is possible due to the significant improvement happening in biodiversity,” he adds.

With the green cover rising, it is not difficult now to find Telangana icons –Jinka (Deer), Jammi Chettu (Prosopis Cineraria) and Tangedu (Tanner’s Cassia). However, the fourth icon, the State bird — Palapitta (Indian Roller), needs a trained eye, like Sriram Reddy, a wildlife photographer based in Hyderabad, who clicked it in action in the deep forests of Amrabad Tiger Reserve (ATR).

“Environment is becoming more conducive and as a result more locations are coming into the limelight. There is an increased documentation of the species,” says Sriram, a member of the Hyderabad Birding Pals (HBP).

“Some bird species appear at multiple locations and that strengthens the fact they are proliferating,” he adds.

While clubs like the HBP, Hyderabad Butterflies Conservation Society and others have been helping people explore nature for some time now, new ones like the Oorugallu Wildlife Society (Warangal) and similar ones like Nature Buddy in Adilabad too have come up.

According to Munna Mandhalapu, another wildlife photographer, there is a significant increase in the herbivore population at the ATR. House sparrows are now seen in large numbers. The afforestation drive is also attracting rare owl species like the Dusky Eagle-Owl, which is now a crowd puller at the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary.

Photo: Sriram

Thick-billed green pigeon, which is a very rare record in Telangana, and yellow-footed pigeon, too, have been spotted at Pakhal. At the ATR, Munna clicked a leopard.

Sriam stresses on the need to protect habitats like the Narsapur Forest, Ameenpur Lake and Osman Sagar Lake by involving locals.

Lingampalli Krishna, a photojournalist, won laurels from Adilabad district administration for his photos depicting nature in full bloom. “Adilabad is known for the forest cover, waterfalls and picturesque locations. It sees migrating birds coming in from September. In the last five years, there is an increase in the number of bird species. There could be at least 200 species now,” informs Krishna.

G Sailu, who was earlier the State Coordinator of The Telangana Biodiversity Board, says the State is ticking the right boxes in terms of enhancing biodiversity by creating wetland ecosystems. It chose the right tool in creating urban parks.

“Deer, black buck, snakes, frogs, insects, tortoises and others are seeing a rise in their numbers. Many organisms thrive in a wetland ecosystem. Telangana is the best example of that revival happening,” says Sailu, one of the editors of the ‘Telangana State Biodiversity Field Guide’.

Efforts to reduce poaching, reduction in fragmentation of habitat, lowering exploitation of resources, enhancement of tree cover and enhancing local habitats all aid in improving the Biodiversity Index, which for Telangana ranges from 1.97 to 2.87.

“At the current rate of activities and results, it will take four or five years to reach a Biodiversity Index of 3 or 4. A reading of 3 and above indicates a thriving heterogeneity, which is needed for sustainability,” says Dr V Vasudeva Rao, faculty of PJTS Agricultural University who worked on certain projects relating to biodiversity, and whose team gathered data on 572 floral components in about five months from 70 conservation blocks.

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Biodiversity of Telangana State, India

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Biodiversity Hotspots in India - Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats & Sundaland

Biodiversity is referred to as the variation of plant and animal species in a particular habitat. Species evenness and species richness form the major components of biodiversity.

Biodiversity Hotspots in India – UPSC GS-III Notes Download PDF Here

India is known for its rich biodiversity and has around 24.46% of its geographical area covered by forests and trees.

Coined by Norman Myers, the term “Biodiversity hotspots” can be defined as the regions which are known for their high species richness and endemism.

Biodiversity hotspots in India are an important topic for the IAS Exam and are under the UPSC Mains GS-III syllabus. This article will discuss the major biodiversity hotspots in India. Aspirants will also find the list of IUCN endangered species. Aspirants can also download the notes PDF at the end of the article.

As a topic under the UPSC CSE Syllabus , biodiversity holds great importance. Aspirants must go through the aspects discussed in detail further below in this article.

Along with Biodiversity Hotspots, you may also read:

Biodiversity Hotspots – 2 Main Qualifying Criteria

According to Conservation International, a region must fulfil the following two criteria to qualify as a hotspot:

• The region should have at least 1500 species of vascular plants i.e., it should have a high degree of endemism.
• It must contain 30% (or less) of its original habitat, i.e. it must be threatened.

Following the criteria for an area to be declared as a Biodiversity Hotspot, there are major four biodiversity hotspots in India:

The Himalayas

• Indo-Burma Region

The Western Ghats

Considered the highest in the world, the Himalayas (overall) comprise North-East India, Bhutan, Central and Eastern parts of Nepal. This region (NE Himalayas) holds a record of having 163 endangered species which includes the Wild Asian Water Buffalo, One-horned Rhino; and as many as 10,000 plant species, of which 3160 are endemic. This mountain range covers nearly 750,000 km 2 .

Indo – Burma Region

The Indo-Burma Region is stretched over a distance of 2,373,000 km². In the last 12 years, 6 large mammal species have been discovered in this region: the Large-antlered Muntjac, the Annamite Muntjac, the Grey-shanked Douc, the Annamite Striped Rabbit, the Leaf Deer, and the Saola.

This hotspot is also known for the endemic freshwater turtle species, most of which are threatened with extinction, due to over-harvesting and extensive habitat loss. There are also 1,300 different bird species, including the threatened White-eared Night-heron, the Grey-crowned Crocias, and the Orange-necked Partridge.

The Western Ghats are present along the western edge of peninsular India and cover most of the deciduous forests and rain forests. As per UNESCO, it is home to at least 325 globally threatened flora, fauna, bird, amphibian, reptile and fish species. Originally, the vegetation in this region was spread over 190,000 km 2 but has been now reduced to 43,000 km 2 . The region is also known for the globally threatened flora and fauna represented by 229 plant species, 31 mammal species, 15 bird species, 43 amphibian species, 5 reptile species and 1 fish species. UNESCO mentions that “Of the total 325 globally threatened species in the Western Ghats, 129 are classified as Vulnerable, 145 as Endangered and 51 as Critically Endangered.”

Knowing in detail about the Western Ghats will be helpful for the aspirants for the Geography preparation.

The Sundaland hotspot lies in Southeast Asia and covers Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia. In the year 2013, the Sundaland was declared as a World Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations. This region is famous for its rich terrestrial and marine ecosystem. Sundaland is one of the biologically richest hotspots in the world which comprises 25,000 species of vascular plants, of which 15,000 are found only in this region.

Related Links:

Why are Biodiversity Hotspots important?

Biodiversity hotspots are critical for a healthy ecosystem. Biodiversity is the foundation of all life on Earth. There would be no air to breathe, no food to eat, and no water to drink if there were no species. There would be no such thing as human society. The coexistence of living and natural resources is essential for the entire ecological life support system.

Biodiversity in India – Flora, and Fauna

India is famous for its rich flora and fauna. India houses over 500 species of mammals, more than 200 species of birds, and 30,000 different species of insects. The Zoological Survey of India which is headquartered in Kolkata is responsible for surveying the faunal resources of India.

India has a diverse climate, topology, and habitat and is known to have the richest flora in the world with over 18000 species of flowering plants. These plant species constitute 6-7% of the world’s plant species. There are 8 main floristic regions in India- the Western and the Eastern Himalayas , the Indus and Ganges, Assam, the Deccan, Malabar, and the Andaman Islands which is home to 3000 Indian plant species. The forests in India cover ranges from the tropical rainforest including Andaman, Western Ghats, and northeast India to the coniferous forests of the Himalayas. The deciduous forests can be found in the eastern, central, and southern parts of India.

Endangered Species of India

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, “India accounts for 7-8% of all recorded species, including over 45,000 species of plants and 91,000 species of animals. But with the rapid loss of biodiversity, many species are becoming extinct or at risk of becoming critically endangered. The species that are at risk of extinction due to the sudden decrease in their population and habitat are known as endangered species.

The top 5 endangered species (Flora and Fauna) in India are listed in the table below:

Aspirants may know that NCERT books on Geography give information on Biodiversity in India, hence to get NCERT Notes on Biodiversity , they may check the linked article.

What is the IUCN Red List?

Founded in 1964, the IUCN Red List also known as the Red Data List evaluates the biological species in the world which are at the risk of extinction. IUCN aims to focus on the conservation of the world’s species to reduce species extinction. More than 77,300 species have been assessed on the IUCN Red List.

The IUCN Red List can be divided into the following 9 categories:

• Extinct (EX) – No known individuals remaining.
• Extinct in the wild (EW) – Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.
• Critically endangered (CR) – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
• Endangered (EN) – High risk of extinction in the wild.
• Vulnerable (VU) – High risk of endangerment in the wild.
• Near Threatened (NT) – Likely to become endangered shortly.
• Least concern (LC) – Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a more at-risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
• Data Deficient (DD) – Not enough data to assess its risk of extinction.
• Not evaluated (NE) – Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria

To know about the critically endangered species of India as per the IUCN Red List refer to the linked article.

The status of animals and their different species as per IUCN contributes to a few objective-type questions in the IAS prelims exam annually. Thus, candidates must study the same, keeping the UPSC exam into consideration.

Tiger Conservation in India

Since a large number of the tiger population in India is entering the list of endangered species, the conservation of tigers has become a crucial point in India. One of the initiatives taken by the Government of India for the protection of the tigers is the ‘Project Tiger’. This project was launched in April 1973 and was administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

Project Tiger aims to protect the tiger population in India, preventing them from the risk of extinction and preserving areas of biological importance as a natural heritage.

The list of major threats to Tiger Population are:

• Man-animal conflict
• Hunting, poaching and illegal trade
• Habitat and loss of prey species

It is due to this initiative that India’s tiger population has risen to 2,967 in 2018 within 12 years. As per the latest data, the largest survey conducted by the government to map the Tiger Population in India till date was over 381,400 km of forested habitats across 20 states.

To know more about Tiger Conservation and Tiger Reserves in India , refer to the linked article.

Aspirants preparing for the UPSC civil service exam can visit the below-given links for more information on actions taken at the national level and conventions at the global level to tackle the problem and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Also, get updated with the UPSC Mains Syllabus as descriptive answers based on biodiversity, hotspot of biodiversity, developments, environment and ecology can be asked in the written paper.

Frequently Asked Questions related to Biodiversity Hotspots

What is biodiversity hotspot, how many biodiversity hotspots are there in the world, which is the biodiversity hotspot in india, what are things that affect biodiversity, what is a healthy biodiversity, what are examples of hotspots, what is the hotspot region.

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• Biodiversity Essay

Essay on Biodiversity

Biodiversity is a term made up of two words - Bio meaning Life, and Diversity meaning Variety. The term biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth. Plants, animals, microbes, and fungi are all examples of living species on the planet.

Types of Biodiversity  

Genetic Biodiversity- Genetic diversity is the variation in genes and genotypes within a species, e.g., every human looks different from the other. 

Species Biodiversity- Species Diversity is the variety of species within a habitat or a region. It is the biodiversity observed within a community.

Ecosystem Biodiversity- Ecological biodiversity refers to the variations in the plant and animal species living together and connected by food chains and food webs.

Importance of Biodiversity 

Biodiversity is an integral part of cultural identity. Human cultures co-evolve with their environment and conservation is a priority for cultural identity. Biodiversity is used for Medicinal purposes.

Many plants and animals are used for medicinal purposes, like vitamins and painkillers. It contributes to climate stability. It helps in controlling the effects of climate change and managing greenhouse gases. 

Biodiversity provides more food resources. It supplies many vital ecosystems, such as creating and maintaining soil quality, controlling pests, and providing habitat for wildlife. Biodiversity has a relationship with Industry. Biological sources provide many Industrial materials including rubber, cotton, leather, food, paper, etc.

There are many economic benefits of Biodiversity. Biodiversity also helps in controlling pollution. Biodiversity helps in forming a healthy ecosystem. Biodiversity also acts as a source of recreation. Along with other factors, biodiversity helps in improving soil quality.

Long Essay on Biodiversity 

There are many economic benefits of Biodiversity. Biodiversity is a source of economic wealth for many regions of the world. Biodiversity facilitates Tourism and the Recreational industry. Natural Reserves and National Parks benefit a lot from it. Forest, wildlife, biosphere reserve, sanctuaries are prime spots for ecotourism, photography, painting, filmmaking, and literary works.

Biodiversity plays a vital role in the maintenance of the gaseous composition of the atmosphere, breakdown of waste material, and removal of pollutants.

Conservation of Biodiversity  

Biodiversity is very important for human existence as all life forms are interlinked with each other and one single disturbance can have multiple effects on another. If we fail to protect our biodiversity, we can endanger our plants, animals, and environment, as well as human life. Therefore, it is necessary to protect our biodiversity at all costs. Conservation of Biodiversity can be done by educating the people to adopt more environment-friendly methods and activities and develop a more harmonious and empathetic nature towards the environment. The involvement and cooperation of communities are very important. The process of continuous protection of Biodiversity is the need of the hour.

The Government of India, along with 155 other nations, has signed the convention of Biodiversity at the Earth Summit to protect it. According to the summit, efforts should be made in preserving endangered species. 

The preservation and proper management methods for wildlife should be made. Food crops, animals, and plants should be preserved. Usage of various food crops should be kept at a minimum. Every country must realize the importance of protecting the ecosystem and safeguarding the habitat. 

The Government of India has launched the Wild Life Protection Act 1972 to protect, preserve, and propagate a variety of species. The Government has also launched a scheme to protect national parks and sanctuaries. There are 12 countries - Mexico, Columbia, Peru, Brasil, Ecuador, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia, in which Mega Diversity Centres are located. These countries are tropical and they possess a large number of the world’s species.

Various hotspots have been made to protect the vegetation. There are various methods for conserving biodiversity. 

If biodiversity conservation is not done efficiently, each species would eventually become extinct due to a lack of appetite and hunger. This scenario has been a big issue for the last few decades, and many unique species have already become extinct. As a result of a lack of biodiversity protection, several species are still on the verge of extinction.

FAQs on Biodiversity Essay

1. What are the three types of Biodiversity?

Biodiversity is referred to as the variability that exists between the living organisms from different sources of nature, such as terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems. Biodiversity has three levels, which are genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity. This is also considered as the type of ecosystem.

2. What is Biodiversity and why is it important?

Biodiversity is responsible for boosting the productivity of the ecosystems in which every species, no matter how small, has an important role to play. For example, a greater variety of crops can be obtained from a plant species which is in large numbers. If species diversity is in a greater amount, then it ensures natural sustainability for all life forms.

3. What is the connection between Biodiversity and the Food Chain?

If a single species goes extinct from the food chain, it will have an impact on the species that survive on it, putting them on the verge of extinction.

4. How are human beings affecting biodiversity?

Pollution- Pollution not only affects human beings, but also affects our flora and fauna, and we should control the pollution to conserve our biodiversity.

Population- Population control is a must to maintain a balance in our ecological system. Humans contribute to pollution by bursting crackers and by not following all the traffic rules.

5. How does Deforestation affect biodiversity?

Deforestation- Trees are very important for survival. They help in balancing out the ecosystem. Deforestation leads to the destruction of habitat. Deforestation should be stopped to protect our animals and plants. Deforestation not only removes vegetation that is important for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but it also emits greenhouse gases.

Essay on Biodiversity for Students and Children

500+ words essay on biodiversity.

Essay on Biodiversity – Biodiversity is the presence of different species of plants and animals on the earth. Moreover, it is also called biological diversity as it is related to the variety of species of flora and fauna. Biodiversity plays a major role in maintaining the balance of the earth.

Furthermore, everything depends upon the biological diversity of different plants and animals. But due to some reasons, biodiversity is decreasing day by day. If it does not stop then our earth could no longer be a place to live in. Therefore different measures help in increasing the biodiversity of the earth.

Methods to Increase Biodiversity

Building wildlife corridors- This means to build connections between wildlife spaces. In other words, many animals are incapable to cross huge barriers. Therefore they are no able to migrate the barrier and breed. So different engineering techniques can make wildlife corridors. Also, help animals to move from one place to the other.

Set up gardens- Setting up gardens in the houses is the easiest way to increase biodiversity. You can grow different types of plants and animals in the yard or even in the balcony. Further, this would help in increasing the amount of fresh air in the house.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Protected areas- protected areas like wildlife sanctuaries and zoo conserve biodiversity. For instance, they maintain the natural habitat of plants and animals. Furthermore, these places are away from any human civilization. Therefore the ecosystem is well maintained which makes it a perfect breeding ground for flora and fauna. In our country, their various wildlife sanctuaries are build that is today spread over a vast area. Moreover, these areas are the only reason some of the animal species are not getting extinct. Therefore the protected areas should increase all over the globe.

Re-wilding – Re-wilding is necessary to avert the damage that has been taking place over centuries. Furthermore, the meaning of re-wilding is introducing the endangered species in the areas where it is extinct. Over the past years, by various human activities like hunting and cutting down of trees the biodiversity is in danger. So we must take the necessary steps to conserve our wildlife and different species of plants.

Importance of Biodiversity

Biodiversity is extremely important to maintain the ecological system. Most Noteworthy many species of plants and animals are dependent on each other.

Therefore if one of them gets extinct, the others will start getting endangered too. Moreover, it is important for humans too because our survival depends on plants and animals. For instance, the human needs food to survive which we get from plants. If the earth does not give us a favorable environment then we cannot grow any crops. As a result, it will no longer be possible for us to sustain on this planet.

Biodiversity in flora and fauna is the need of the hour. Therefore we should take various countermeasures to stop the reduction of endangering of species. Furthermore, pollution from vehicles should decrease. So that animals can get fresh air to breathe. Moreover, it will also decrease global warming which is the major cause of the extinction of the species.

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