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Biodiversity Hotspots in India UPSC CSE

Biodiversity Hotspots in India

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Summary of Biodiversity Hotspots

India is home to four biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, the Indo-Burma region, the Western Ghats, and the Sundaland(Andaman and Nicobar Islands). These hotspots are identified based on high species richness and endangerment and they represent areas of significant conservation priority due to extensive habitat loss and human activity. The Himalayas, spanning several Indian states and neighboring countries, are renowned for their diverse ecosystems shaped by altitude variations. The Indo-Burma region, covering parts of northeastern India, boasts lush tropical forests and high levels of endemism. The Western Ghats, along India's western coast, harbor a remarkable variety of habitats and endemic species, making them a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal contribute to the Sundaland hotspot and showcase unique island ecosystems. Conservation efforts in these hotspots focus on protected areas, sustainable practices, and community engagement to safeguard their biodiversity for future generations.

Biodiversity hotspots are regions with exceptional concentrations of unique species in a limited area. India is fortunate to have four hotspots - critical for conservation due to high species richness and threats from habitat loss. These hotspots are vital for the country's ecological health and contribute to its rich natural heritage.

The widely accepted criteria for identifying hotspots are:

  • At least 1,500 species of vascular plants as Endemics (a group of plants that have vascular tissue for transporting water and nutrients).
  • At least 70% of its original habitat must be lost.

Background of Biodiversity Hotspots

The concept of biodiversity hotspots emerged in the late 1980s. In 1988, Norman Myers' paper "Environmentalism: A New World Order?" laid the groundwork for the concept. He identified 10 "hotspots" with high species richness and endangerment. Conservation International (CI) is widely recognized as a pioneer in the concept of biodiversity hotspots. CI adopted Norman Myers’ ideas and papers and championed the concept of biodiversity hotspots soon after. In 2000, a collaboration between CI, Myers, and other researchers resulted in the publication "Hotspots: Earth's Biologically Richest and Most Endangered Terrestrial Ecoregions" in the journal Nature. There are currently 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots worldwide. Conservation International maintains a website with detailed information on each hotspot.

Introduction of Biodiversity Hotspots

Biodiversity hotspots are regions of the Earth's surface that harbour a significant percentage of the world's known species in a relatively confined area. These hotspots are estimated to contain up to 70% of the Earth's plant, animal, and insect species in just 2.4% of Earth's land surface. These hotspots are deemed to be conservation priorities because most of these areas have already been significantly altered by human activity and are at risk of losing their biodiversity. Biodiversity Hotspots are spread across the world in various tropical and temperate regions.

The above-mentioned CI’s 2000 publication established the now widely accepted criteria for identifying hotspots:


There are 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots around the world, out of which 4 are in India. They are:

  1. The Himalayas
  2. The Indo-Burma region
  3. The Western Ghats
  4. Sundaland(Andaman and Nicobar Islands)

Hotspots in India

India is recognized for its rich biodiversity, with around 24.46% of its geographical area covered by forests and trees. It also boasts four of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots:

  1. Himalayas
    The Himalayan biodiversity hotspot encompasses the eastern, central, and western Himalayan regions, including parts of Nepal, Bhutan, China, Pakistan and several Indian states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. This hotspot is renowned for its unparalleled biological diversity and unique ecosystems shaped by the towering Himalayan mountain range.
    • Rich Landscape: The Himalayas offer a remarkable range of habitats due to the dramatic change in altitude. From the foothills with subtropical broadleaf forests to the permanent snow cover at higher elevations, the region transitions through temperate forests, coniferous forests, alpine meadows, and barren, rocky terrain.
    • Rich Flora and Fauna: The variation in landscapes fosters a rich tapestry of plant and animal life. Estimates suggest over 10,000 plant species with a staggering 3,160 being endemic. It is home to iconic wildlife such as the snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, red panda, Kashmiri Stag, and musk deer.
    • Endemic Species: The Himalayas harbor numerous species found nowhere else on Earth, known as endemics. These include various species of plants, birds, and mammals uniquely adapted to the challenging mountain environment.
    • Ecological Importance: The Himalayan ecosystem plays a crucial role in regulating regional climate patterns, providing freshwater resources to millions of people living downstream, and supporting agriculture, tourism, and livelihoods in the region.
    • Threats and Challenges: The Himalayan biodiversity hotspot faces various threats, including habitat loss and its fragmentation, climate change and global warming, poaching, invasion of alien species, and unsustainable development activities such as infrastructure projects and deforestation. Conservation efforts are essential to safeguarding the region's biodiversity and promoting sustainable development practices.
    • Efforts to conserve the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot involve protected area management, community-based conservation initiatives, research and monitoring programs, sustainable tourism practices, and international collaborations among countries sharing the Himalayan landscape.

    The Himalayas are a vital ecological treasure trove. International cooperation and continued conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the survival of this unique biodiversity hotspot for generations to come.

  2. Indo-Burma Region
    The Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot stretches across Southeast Asia, encompassing parts of India, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. In India, the hotspot covers states such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, and parts of West Bengal. Key features of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot in India include:
    • Rich Ecosystems : The Indian portion of the Indo-Burma hotspot boasts a remarkable variety of habitats such as Tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous and bamboo forests, grasslands and wetlands.
    • Rich Flora and Fauna: The region is characterized by its lush tropical forests, diverse ecosystems, and high levels of endemism. Estimates suggest over 5,000 flowering plant species, with a high percentage being endemic. It is home to a staggering array of plant and animal species, including iconic mammals like the Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, Indian One-Horned rhinoceros, clouded leopard, and Hoolock gibbon.
    • Endemic Species: The Indo-Burma hotspot harbors numerous species found nowhere else on Earth.These include various plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects adapted to the unique environmental conditions of the region.
    • Endemic freshwater turtles: It has the highest number of critically endangered freshwater turtle species in the world. These turtles face threats from habitat loss and overharvesting for food and the pet trade.
    • Threats and Conservation Challenges: The biodiversity of the Indo-Burma region faces significant threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, illegal logging, poaching, infrastructure development, and climate change. Rapid urbanization, agricultural expansion, and hydropower projects pose additional pressures on the region's ecosystems.
    • Conservation Efforts: Conservation efforts in the Indo-Burma hotspot focus on establishing protected areas, promoting sustainable land-use practices, community-based conservation initiatives, species monitoring, and transboundary collaboration among neighboring countries.
      • National parks and wildlife sanctuaries like Kaziranga National Park (famous for rhinos) and Manas National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) offer safe havens for wildlife.
      • Organization like the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and various governmental and non-governmental organizations play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation in the region.
  3. Western Ghats
    The Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot is a globally recognized region located along the western coast of India, stretching approximately 1,600 kilometers from Gujarat in the north to Kerala in the south. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Western Ghats is renowned for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems. Key features of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot include:
    • Diverse Landscapes: The Western Ghats boast a remarkable variety of habitats packed into a relatively narrow strip of land. This variation is due to several factors:
      • Elevation: The altitude ranges from near sea level to over 2,500 meters, creating a gradient from tropical lowlands to cool montane ecosystems.
      • Rainfall: The Western Ghats receive high rainfall due to the southwest monsoon, leading to lush evergreen forests on the western slopes. Rain shadows on the eastern slopes result in drier forests and Deccan plateaus.
    • High Levels of Endemism: The region is home to an extraordinary diversity of plant and animal species, Over 50% of the tree species are found nowhere else on Earth. The Western Ghats harbor thousands of plant species, including rare and endangered species such as the lion-tailed macaque, Malabar giant squirrel, and Nilgiri tahr.
    • Amphibian Haven: The Western Ghats are a global hotspot for amphibians, with over 179 species, a staggering 65% of which are endemic. From brightly colored frogs like the Malabar gliding frog to voiceless caecilians, these amphibians play a vital role in the ecosystem.
    • Reptile Paradise: Snakes, lizards, and turtles add to the reptilian diversity. The endangered Malabar pit viper, with its unique heat-sensing pits, is a fascinating example.
    • Ecological Importance: The Western Ghats serve as a vital hotspot of biological diversity, supporting a variety of habitats ranging from tropical wet evergreen forests and montane grasslands to freshwater ecosystems and coastal mangroves. These ecosystems provide essential ecosystem services such as water regulation, soil conservation, and carbon sequestration.
    • Threats and Conservation Challenges: Despite its ecological significance, the Western Ghats face numerous threats, including habitat loss due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, urbanization, mining activities, and infrastructure development. Fragmentation of habitat, invasive species, poaching, and climate change further exacerbate the conservation challenges in the region.
    • Conservation Efforts: Conservation initiatives in the Western Ghats focus on establishing protected areas, promoting sustainable land-use practices, restoring degraded habitats, and fostering community-based conservation efforts.
    • Protected areas: National parks and wildlife sanctuaries like Eravikulam National Park (famous for Nilgiri tahr) and Silent Valley National Park (a haven for evergreen forests) provide vital refuges for wildlife.
  4. Sundaland
    The Sundaland biodiversity hotspot is a vast region encompassing Southeast Asia, including parts of Borneo, Sumatra, Java, the Malay Peninsula, and technically spilling over into India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands. While the majority of the hotspot falls outside India's borders, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands share some ecological similarities and contribute to Sundaland's biodiversity. With focus on India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Sundaland Biodiversity Hotspot has:
    • Island Ecosystem: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are an archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, separated from mainland India by over 1,200 kilometers. This isolation has fostered unique ecological features.
    • Tropical Rainforests: These islands boast lush evergreen rainforests, a characteristic habitat of the Sundaland hotspot. The dense canopy provides a haven for a variety of plant and animal life.
    • Mangrove Forests: The coastlines are fringed with mangrove forests, crucial ecosystems for marine life and providing a buffer against cyclones and tsunamis.
    • Flora and Fauna: The region is filled with endemic species.
      • This includes various plant species, such as the Andaman bulletwood (Mangifera andamanica) and Andaman satinwood (Chloroxylon andamanicum).
      • The Andaman wild pig, the Andaman shrew, and the Rutland Island blind snake are some examples of mammals restricted to these islands.
      • Several bird species like the Andaman scops owl, the Andaman cuckoo, and the rufous-bellied hawk-eagle are island endemics.
    • Threats and Challenges: Despite their conservation importance, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands face various threats, including habitat loss, deforestation, illegal logging, poaching, overfishing, pollution, and climate change.
    • Conservation Efforts: Conservation efforts in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands include habitat protection, species conservation programs, scientific research, environmental education, and community participation.
    • Protected Areas: Several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks like the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (protecting coral reefs) and the Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve offer sanctuaries for wildlife.

Reason behind presence of Biodiversity Hotspots in India

India's unique geography and climatic conditions contribute significantly to its high prevalence of biodiversity hotspots. Here are some key reasons:

Conclusion of Biodiversity Hotspots

India's four biodiversity hotspots - the Himalayas, the Indo-Burma region, the Western Ghats, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands - are an important part of the country's rich ecological diversity. However, these hotspots face threats from habitat loss, climate change, etc. Project Snow Leopard, Project Elephant, and Project Lion-tailed Macaque are some examples of targeted conservation efforts. Nationally, the Wildlife Protection Act and the National Biodiversity Action Plan provide frameworks for conservation. Community engagement through Joint Forest Management and Biodiversity Management Committees is the need of the hour. Sustainable development practices and mindful consumer choices are key to supporting these initiatives. These hotspots must continue to thrive and provide ecological, economic, and cultural benefits for generations to come.

Prelims PYQS of Biodiversity Hotspots in India

Consider the following statements: [2010]
1. Biodiversity hotspots are located only in tropical regions.
2. India has four biodiversity hotspots, i.e., Eastern Himalayas, Western Himalayas, Western Ghats and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer :(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Which of the following can be threats to the biodiversity of a geographical area? (2012)
1. Global warming
2. Fragmentation of habitat
3. Invasion of alien species
4. Promotion of vegetarianism

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer :(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

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