Fostering Friendships - Enhancing Social Bonds in the Classroom
Biodiversity of India
1.
2. The term ‘biodiversity’ encompasses the variety of all
life forms on earth. It is identified as the variability
among living organisms and the ecological
complexes of which they are part, including diversity
within and between species and ecosystem.
In simple words it can be defined as “variety,
variability between genes, species and ecosystems”
The term biodiversity was first coined by Walter
and Rosen in 1985.
3. There are three levels of Diversity
Species diversity
Genetic diversity
Ecosystem or Habitat diversity
4. It is defines as variety of different species of living
forms in a given area.
India has around 2,00,000 species of the total
species described.
The species diversity peaks in the tropical forest and
coral reefs.
5. It is defined as “The variation at the level of individual
genes”
OR
“The heritable variation within and between
populations of organisms”
The more genetic diversity in a population, the more
chances in variations.
These variations help the individuals to have a variant
that help it to be suite for the new environment.
6. Ecosystem is the structural and functional unit of
the biosphere.
Ecosystem diversity is defined as „the aggregation
of various habitats, community types and abiotic
environment in a given area‟
India has one of the richest ecosystem diversity,
ranging from deserts, plains, hills, mangroves,
rainforests to cold Himalayas.
7. Out of the 18 hot spots of biodiversity recognized in
the world, India has two of them, viz. Eastern
Himalaya and The Western Ghats.
Eastern Himalayas is recognized as the “Cradle of
Speciation” due to rich diversity of primitive
flowering plants.
12. These are the species found only in a particular
geographical region because of its isolation, soil
and climatic conditions.
13. 1. Jenkin’s, Andaman & Nicobar shrew (Crocidura jenkensii, C. andamanensis, C. nicobarica)
2. Salim Ali’s fruit bat (Latidens salimali)
3. Wroughton’s free-tailed bat (Otomops wroughtoni)
4. Leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros hypophyyllus)
5. Lion tailed macaque (Macaca silenus)
6. Andaman, Kerala, Palm rat (Rattus stoicus, R.ranjiniae, R.palmarum)
7. Kondana soft furred rat (Millardia kondana)
8. Nilgiri leaf monkey (Trachypithecus johnii)
9. Namdapha flying squirrel (Biswamayopterus biswasi)
10. Indian flying squirrel (Ratufa indica)
11. Nilgiri tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius)
14. These are the species whose population number are
decreasing and are likely to become endangered with time.
The list of threatened animals have been listed in a book
called “RED DATA BOOK” RDB.
RDB was first formulated by Sir Peter Scott.
The major threatened categories under IUCN are Extinct
(Ex), Endangered (En), Vulnerable (VU), Rare (R) &
Interminate species.
The list of few mammals which occur in India and are rated
as threatened in the 2003 IUCN (International Union of
Conservation of Nature and Natural resources) red list are
displayed in the next slide.
16. Asiatic black Gaur
Asiatic Elephant
bear
Nilgiri Tahr Himalayan Tahr Wild Goat
17. Lion – Tailed Nilgiri leaf Leaf nosed Bat
Macaque Monkey
Asiatic wild Ass Indian Rhinoceros Slow Loris
18. These are the species whose numbers are
critically low and their habitat is so drastically
reduced that they are in danger of extinction.
At present, approximately:
81 species of mammal
38 species of birds
18 species of amphibians and reptiles
are considered endangered in species in India.
22. 1. Andaman Shrew (Crocidura andamanensis)
2. Nicobar Shrew (Crocidura nicobarica)
3. Lion tailed macaque (Macaca silenus)
4. Marsh mongoose (Herpestes palustris)
5. Capped leaf monkey (Trachypithecus pileatus)
6. Nilgiri tahr (Hemitragus hylocrius)
7. Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)
8. Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)
9. Indus river dolphin (Platansita minor)
10. Ganges river dolphin (Platansita gangetica)
11. Andaman spiny shrew (Crocidura hispida)
12. Asiatic lion (Panthera leoperscia)
13. Giant indian bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps)
14. Indian rock python (Python molurus)
15. Red panda (Ailurus fulgens)
23. Barasingha Four horned Black buck
Antilope
Assamese Indian Giant Ganges River
Macaque Squirrel Dolphin
24.
25. Biodiversity is known for its multiple benefits.
The three main benefits commonly cited for
preservation of biodiversity are:
Economic benefits
Ecological benefits
Ethical benefits
26. Significant economic benefits associated with
biodiversity are:
Food: All our food comes from plants and animals.
About 80,000 plant species are potential food sources.
Agriculture: The genetic diversity of wild plants are used
to produce better strains of crops with superior yields.
Medicine: Medicinal plants re of great demand in
modern pharmaceutical industry because today’s
synthetic drugs owe their origin to plants.
Industry: The wood from plants is being used in
industries for clothing, shelter, as fuel, as raw material
for paper, rayon, plastic, for construction purpose, etc.
27. The modern green revolution, the farmers
began to lose their traditional systems of
sustainable agriculture.
However the Beej Bachao Andolan (BBA) has
helped to revive the traditional farming
methods.
28. There are more than 10,000 varieties of cereals
but human have concentrate only on four
namely; Rice, Wheat, Corn and Jowar.
Examples of some are listed in the next slide.
29. Buck wheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is a pseudocereal cultivated in hilly
regions of south India and himalyan range. The grains are rich in protein and
carbohydrates. The leaves are also used as vegetable. The flowers produce
nectar, which is used to extract honey.
Amaranthus is a pseudocereal grown in South Indian plains and Himalayan
region. The grains are rich in protein, fats and carbohydrates. It is also used as
a vegetable.
Chenopod is an important crop of Himalayan region and grains are edible and
rich source of proteins and carbohydrates. The grains are also used for alcohol
preparation.
Spirulina is blue green algae. Entire alga is used. It contains nearly 60%
proteins and is considered as cheapest source of proteins. It also contains
vitamins and minerals. One gram of Spirulina is equivalent to one Kg of
assorted food.
31. Field Rats: are consumed by Iruliga tribal people of South India. The
meat is very nutritive. Field rats cause extensive damage to crop yield.
Using smoke rats are captured from rat holes in crop fields. This also
helps in controlling the population.
Wild Rabbits: are hunted by tribals of South India using dogs. The
meat of wild rabbit is considered as delicacy.
Bats: are also consumed by tribals. Bat meat is highly nutritious.
Snakes: are eaten by tribal people of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur.
Snake meat is rich in proteins.
Pigeons: (Grey Doves) are eaten by many tribals. The meat is rich in
protein and vitamins. The meat and blood of animal has medicinal
significance.
33. Aloe vera: It belongs to family Lilliaceae. The fleshy leaves are
used. Aloin is extracted. It is used in piles treatment and cosmetic
formulation.
Catharanthus rosea (Vinca): It belongs to the family
Apocyanaceae. From this plant nearly 70 alkoloids are isolated.
The two important alkaloids are Vinblastin and Vincristin.
Vinblastin is used in the treatment of Hodgkin’s disease. Vincristin
is cytotoxic agent and is used in treatment of Leukemia.
Rauwolfia serpentine (Serpaganda): It belongs to the family
Apocyanaceae. All parts of plants are used. Main alkaloids like
serpentine and reserpine are extracted. It is used as a hypotensive
agent and tranquilizer. Used in the treatment of Epilepsy,
Schizophrenia, Heart problems and High B.P.
34. Datura: It belongs to family Solanaceae.
Stem, roots, leaves and fruit are used.
Alkaloids like hyoscyamine and hyoscine are
extracted. Used in the treatment of bronchitis
and Asthma as antispasmodic and sedative.
Withania somnifera (Aswagandha): It
belongs to family Solanaceae. The dried roots
and stem base are used. It is used in the
treatment of insomnia, asthma, bronchitis,
tuberculosis, arthritis and cancer.
35. Aloe vera Catharanthus rosea (Vinca)
Rauwolfia serpentine (Serpaganda):
37. Biodiversity is important for maintenance and sustainable
utilization of goods and services from ecological systems.
The services include formation and protection of soil,
conservation and purification of water, maintenance of
hydrological cycle etc.
Forest vegetation provides natural protection to soil as soil
binders that prevent soil erosion and also slows down
water flow to down stream areas. The pores and cracks
found in between soil particles act as natural filters
purifying water as it drips through the forest ecosystem.
This not only helps in protection and conservation fertile
topsoil, but also maintains ground water.
38. Plants absorb water from soil or water reservoirs
and add it to the air as vapour by transpiration.
Animal and plants also lose water in vapour form
by respiration. Water vapour formed by
transpiration and respiration form clouds and
enter global water cycle (hydrological cycle).
Soil microbes (decomposers) and soil animals
like earthworms help in efficient breakdown of
organic matter into inorganic nutrients, thus
enriching the soil fertility.
39. Throughout human history, people have related the
very existence of human race to biodiversity
through cultural, spiritual and religious beliefs.
Many plants, animals, forest, landscapes and
rivers are considered as sacred and worshiped by
the people. Today these have become cultural
heritage. These beliefs have played an effective
role in conservation of many species of plants and
animals especially preservation of many endemic
and rare species.
40. ▪ Sacred species: Traditionally
conserved plant and animal species
of religious and cultural importance
are called sacred species. Ex: Plants
like Tulasi, Neem, Ashoka tree and
Pipal tree. Animals like Cow, Monkey
and Cobra etc.
41.
42.
43. Sacred grooves: It is a small patch of land with
natural fauna and flora protected by the local
community in dedication of deities or their
ancestral spirits. Scared grooves range from few
trees like Nagabanas (serpent abodes) to small
patches of forest areas covering few kilometers like
Devara kadu (dedicated to deities) and
Boothasthanas (Devil abodes). There are about
17,000 known sacred grooves in India. Sacred
grooves are storehouse of many rare and endemic
species.
44.
45. Sacred Landscapes: It is a large heterogenous area that
contains a variety of natural and traditionally managed
ecosystems. For example the river Ganga is considered as
Holy River. The stretch of Ganga between Haridwar and
Rishikesh is conserved as Machhiyal where fishing is banned.
In Karnataka, important sacred landscapes include
Kudachadri hills in Western Ghats of Kollur, BR Hills around
the temple and Bababudangiri Hills.
