India hosts four of the world’s 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma region, and Sundaland. However, it is important to note that two hotspots, the Indo-Burma region and Sundaland, extend beyond India’s formal borders and encompass a broader geographical region within South Asia.

This discussion explores the details of India’s Biodiversity Hotspots, which can help you prepare better for the UPSC exam.

What are Biodiversity Hotspots?

Biodiversity, often defined as the variety of plant and animal species within a specific environment, comprises two fundamental components: species evenness and species richness. India is internationally recognized for its rich and diverse ecosystems, with forests and trees covering approximately 23.39% of its land. The country boasts an impressive biodiversity inventory, with nearly 91,000 identified animal species and 45,500 documented plant species.

How Many Biodiversity Hotspots Are There In India?

India hosts four of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma region, and Sundaland. Notably, the Indo-Burma area and Sundaland span across South Asia, extending beyond the formal boundaries of India.

A. The Himalayas

The Himalayas, known as the highest mountain range globally, encompass the North-Eastern region of India, Bhutan, and the Central and Eastern parts of Nepal. This area, referred to as the NE Himalayas, boasts an impressive tally of 163 endangered species, such as the Wild Asian Water Buffalo and the One-horned Rhino.

Moreover, it is home to around 10,000 plant species, with 3,160 unique to the region. Encompassing an expansive area of approximately 750,000 square kilometers, the Himalayas also include some of the world’s tallest peaks, including Mount Everest and K2.

These mountains are vital in housing significant rivers like the Indus and Ganga. Within this diverse ecosystem, the Himalayas shelter nearly 163 endangered species, consisting of 45 mammals, 50 bird species, 12 amphibians, 17 reptiles, 3 invertebrates, and 36 plant species.

Threats to Himalayan Biodiversity

Here are the Threats to Himalayan Biodiversity

• Forest Types: Mixed conifer and conifer forests thrive in the higher hills, while alpine meadows stand above the tree line, boasting the world’s tallest alluvial grasslands.

• Foothill Diversity: Subtropical broadleaf forests flourish along the foothills, and temperate broadleaf forests grace the mid hills.

• Human Impact: Anthropogenic activities like domestic cattle overgrazing, excessive harvesting of medicinal plants, fuel wood collection, and non-timber forest product extraction have severely harmed certain forest ecosystems.

• Population Pressure: A combination of external immigration and internal migration has led to a rapid rise in the human population, particularly in regions of high biodiversity.

• Logging and Erosion: Rampant legal and illegal logging, especially on steep terrains, alongside significant forest and meadow clearing for agriculture, has caused substantial erosion.

• Fire Threat: Deliberate burning during summertime for livestock grazing poses an additional risk of uncontrollable fires, further endangering the forests.

• Deforestation and Fragmentation: Swift deforestation and the transformation of forests and grasslands into agricultural fields and settlements, notably in areas like Nepal, Sikkim, West Bengal (Darjeeling), and Assam, have led to habitat fragmentation.

• Ecosystem Impact: Improperly managed tourism practices contribute to environmental degradation in the region.

• Illegal Poaching: Illegal hunting remains a significant challenge in the Himalayas, targeting tigers and rhinoceroses for traditional remedies, and snow leopards and red pandas for their valuable fur.

B. The Indo-Burma

The Indo-Burma Region spans a vast area of 2,373,000 km². Over the past 12 years, six large mammal species have been newly identified in this region, namely the Large-antlered Muntjac, Annamite Muntjac, Grey-shanked Douc, Annamite Striped Rabbit, Leaf Deer, and Saola.

This biodiversity hotspot is recognized for its unique freshwater turtle species, many of which are at risk of extinction due to excessive harvesting and extensive habitat degradation.

Additionally, the region is home to around 1,300 bird species, including the endangered White-eared Night-heron, Grey-crowned Crocias, and Orange-necked Partridge.

The original boundaries of the Indo-Burma hotspot included parts of northeastern India,

• Bangladesh,
• Malaysia.

However, due to northeastern India being part of the Himalayan hotspot and the limited extension of the hotspot into Bangladesh and Malaysia, these countries are considered extralimital to the hotspot’s ecosystem profile.

Encompassing Southeast Asia’s highest peak to coastal areas along the Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, Gulf of Thailand, and South China Sea, the hotspot boasts remarkable geographic diversity. It also encompasses the Himalayas’ eastern extensions, isolated massifs, plateaus, and several major Asian rivers, along with their fertile floodplains and deltas.

The Indo-Burma hotspot’s varied landscapes support many habitats, resulting in high overall biodiversity due to the diversity of landforms and climatic zones. Over the past 12 years, the region has discovered six large mammal species:

• Large-antlered Muntjac
• Annamite Muntjac
• Grey-shanked Douc
• Annamite Striped Rabbit
• Leaf Deer
• Saola

Furthermore, this hotspot is recognized for its unique freshwater turtle species, most of which are at risk due to over-harvesting and habitat loss. The hotspot is also home to approximately 1,300 bird species, including critically endangered species such as the White-eared Night-heron, Grey-crowned Crocias, and Orange-necked Partridge.

Indo-Burma Threats

• Forest Diversity: The hotspot’s biodiversity centers primarily within its diverse forests, ranging from lush canopy-rich evergreens to semi-evergreen and mixed deciduous varieties with fewer tree species.

• Unique Karst Ecosystems: Limestone karst formations stand out for their exceptional ecosystems with high endemism levels, particularly seen among exclusive plants, reptiles, and mollusks.

• Threats to Biodiversity: Numerous challenges endanger the hotspot’s biodiversity, including logging, resource over-exploitation, industrial agriculture, wildlife trade, and infrastructure development.

• Deforestation Drivers: In the Indo-Burma region, commercial timber exploitation ranks as the second-largest driver of deforestation.

• Altered Habitats: Vital areas like wetlands, floodplain swamps, and mangroves face habitat loss, leading to landscape changes.

• Transformation of Mangroves: Mangrove forests are converted into aquaculture ponds, while damming alters river courses.

• Conversion of Wetlands: Natural wetlands like mangroves, lagoons, and marshes are converted for shrimp and fish farming or cleared for fuelwood and charcoal.

• Infrastructure Impact: The expansion of infrastructure, including dams, highways, and ports, adds to habitat loss.

• Climate Change Amplification: The threats from climate change worsen the challenges already faced by biodiversity in this hotspot.

C. The Western Ghats

The Western Ghats encompass a vast expanse of deciduous forests and rainforests along the western border of peninsular India. Recognized by UNESCO, this region shelters at least 325 flora and fauna species that are globally endangered, including birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, mammals, and plants. Originally spanning 190,000 km2, the vegetation cover has dwindled to 43,000 km2.

The Western Ghats is renowned for hosting 229 threatened plant species, 31 mammals, 15 birds, 43 amphibians, 5 reptiles, and 1 fish species. Within this context, UNESCO underscores that out of the 325 globally threatened species, 129 are categorized as Vulnerable, 145 as Endangered, and 51 as Critically Endangered.

Western Ghats Threats

• Forest Fragmentation and Logging: Western Ghats’ forests are fragmented and subject to selective logging.

• Monoculture Plantations: Clearing for monoculture plantations like tea, coffee, rubber, and oil palm poses a threat.

• Deforestation for Infrastructure: Deforestation occurs for reservoirs, roads, and railways.

• Protected Area Encroachment: Encroachment into protected areas diminishes forest size.

• Grazing Impact: Cattle and goat grazing leads to erosion on forested slopes.

• Mixed Forest Cover: Remaining forest includes timber plantations and disturbed growth areas.

• Hunting and Extraction: Forest patches face pressure from hunting and non-timber forest product extraction.

• Tourism and Fire Challenges: Challenges from unregulated tourism and forest fires persist.

• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Population growth in protected areas causes conflicts with wildlife.

• Crop Losses and Predation: Crop losses from elephant raids and livestock predation by leopards are concerns.

• Compensation Issues: Insufficient compensation for farmers and wildlife casualties aggravates challenges.

D. Sundaland

The Sundaland hotspot covers the western segment of the Indo-Malayan archipelago, an assemblage of around 17,000 equatorial islands dominated by two of the most expansive landmasses globally: Borneo (725,000 km2) and Sumatra (427,300 km2).

This region encompasses a small portion of southern Thailand, specifically the provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Moreover, it includes the entirety of Malaysia, spanning Peninsular Malaysia and the East Malaysian regions of Sarawak and Sabah in the northern reaches of Borneo. The hotspot encompasses Singapore, situated at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, along with Brunei Darussalam. Additionally, the western segment of Indonesia, which entails Kalimantan (the Indonesian sector of Borneo), Sumatra, Java, and Bali, falls within this area.

The remarkable diversity of flora and fauna in the Sundaland Hotspot is facing rapid degradation due to extensive industrial forestry practices across these islands. Global demand for certain animals, such as tigers, monkeys, and various turtle species, drives their exploitation for both sustenance and traditional medicine in other countries. Exclusive habitation of orangutans is restricted to this region, and alarmingly, their numbers are dwindling at an alarming rate. Java and Sumatra, Indonesian islands of significance, serve as crucial sanctuaries for two distinct Southeast Asian rhino species. Regrettably, the destruction of forests for economic gain is an ongoing predicament, mirroring the predicament faced by numerous tropical areas.

Sundaland Threats To Biodiversity

• Critical Rhino Habitats: The islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia serve as the last havens for two distinct rhino species native to Southeast Asia.

• Business-Driven Deforestation: Similar to numerous tropical regions, the forests in this area are facing degradation due to business-driven deforestation.

• Detrimental Industries: The production of pulp, oil palm cultivation, and rubber harvesting stands out as the top three destructive contributors to the decline of biodiversity in the Sundaland Hotspot.

• Deterioration via Industrial Forestry: The mesmerizing array of flora and fauna in the Sundaland Hotspot is swiftly deteriorating due to intensive industrial forestry practices on these islands.

• Global Animal Trade: Tigers, monkeys, and various turtle species are traded globally, primarily for consumption and traditional medicine in other countries.

• Unique Orangutan Habitat: The exclusive habitat of orangutans is confined to this specific region, and their numbers are rapidly decreasing.

Who declares Biodiversity Hotspots?

The concept of biodiversity hotspots was first introduced by Norman Myers in 1988. He defined them as regions with exceptional levels of plant endemism (meaning that the plants found there are not found anywhere else in the world) and serious levels of habitat loss.

In 1990, Conservation International (CI) adopted Myers’ concept of biodiversity hotspots and began working to identify and protect them. CI’s criteria for identifying hotspots are as follows:

• Endemic Plant Richness: A hotspot must have at least 1,500 endemic plant species.
• Habitat Loss: At least 70% of the hotspot’s original habitat must have been lost.

Based on these criteria, CI has identified 36 biodiversity hotspots around the world. These hotspots cover only 2.4% of the Earth’s land surface, but they are home to over 50% of the world’s plant species and 42% of all terrestrial vertebrate species.

Why are Biodiversity Hotspots important?

Biodiversity hotspots are vital to the health of our planet’s ecosystems. Biodiversity is the very bedrock of life on Earth, providing the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Without it, human society as we know would cease to exist. The intricate web of life, encompassing both living organisms and natural resources, forms the foundation of our ecological life support system.

Question Asked in UPSC Exam on Biodiversity Hotspots in India

1. Which of the following is NOT a biodiversity hotspot in India?

(a) Western Ghats
(b) Eastern Himalayas
(c) Sundaland
(d) Indo-Burma

2. Which biodiversity hotspot in India has the highest number of endemic plant species?

(a) Western Ghats
(b) Eastern Himalayas
(c) Sundaland
(d) Indo-Burma

3. Which biodiversity hotspot in India is home to the largest population of tigers in the world?

(a) Western Ghats
(b) Eastern Himalayas
(c) Sundaland
(d) Indo-Burma

4. Which biodiversity hotspot in India is facing the greatest threat from habitat loss?

(a) Western Ghats
(b) Eastern Himalayas
(c) Sundaland
(d) Indo-Burma

5. Which of the following is a conservation measure that can be taken to protect biodiversity hotspots in India?

(a) Establish protected areas
(b) Promote sustainable resource use
(c) Restore degraded habitats
(d) All of the above

Answers:

1. (c)
2. (b)
3. (d)
4. (a)
5. (d)

GK Question and Answers on Biodiversity Hotspots in India

1. What are the four biodiversity hotspots in India?

Ans. India hosts four prominent biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats, and Sundaland.

2. Which hotspot in India is the largest?

Ans. Among the biodiversity hotspots in India, the Western Ghats stand as the largest.

3. How many biodiversity hotspots out of the global total are found in India?

Ans. India is home to four of the world’s 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots. These are the Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma region, and Sundaland.

4. What qualifies an area as a biodiversity hotspot?

Ans. To attain the classification of a biodiversity hotspot, a region must have lost at least 70 percent of its original natural vegetation, usually due to human activities.

5. How many acknowledged biodiversity hotspots exist worldwide?

Ans. The world acknowledges the presence of over 30 recognized biodiversity hotspots, each marked by significant ecological diversity and challenges.

6. Is the Himalayan region classified as a biodiversity hotspot?

Ans. The Eastern Himalayas are a significant part of the global Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. Encompassing areas in Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, and extending into Burma, this region is notable for its exceptional biodiversity and endemism.