- India is home to a rich variety of wildlife due to its diverse ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, wetlands, and deserts.
- To protect and conserve its wildlife, India has established numerous Wildlife Sanctuaries, National Parks, and Biosphere Reserves.
- Wildlife Sanctuaries are areas where animal habitats are protected, and human activities are regulated to avoid harm to wildlife.
- India has over 550 Wildlife Sanctuaries, including notable ones like Periyar (Kerala) and Ranthambore (Rajasthan).
- National Parks are areas strictly reserved for the protection of wildlife and natural habitats, with no human interference allowed.
- India has 106 National Parks, including Jim Corbett (Uttarakhand), the first National Park in India, and Kaziranga (Assam), famous for its one-horned rhinoceros.
- Biosphere Reserves are designated areas that aim to conserve biodiversity while supporting sustainable development.
- India has 18 Biosphere Reserves, including the Sundarbans, Nilgiri, and Nanda Devi.
- The Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve is renowned for its mangroves and Bengal tigers.
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is the first Biosphere Reserve in India and spans Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
- National parks and sanctuaries serve as critical habitats for endangered species like the Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, and Indian elephant.
- The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, provides the legal framework for the establishment of these protected areas.
- Project Tiger, initiated in 1973, focuses on the conservation of tigers and their habitats.
- Project Elephant aims to protect elephants and mitigate human-elephant conflicts.
- Notable tiger reserves include Bandhavgarh, Kanha, and Sariska.
- Wetland conservation initiatives protect crucial habitats for migratory birds, like the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo National Park).
- UNESCO has recognized several Indian Biosphere Reserves as part of its Man and the Biosphere Programme, including the Nilgiri and Sundarbans.
- Gir National Park in Gujarat is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion.
- Kaziranga and Manas National Parks in Assam are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Ranthambore is known for its tiger population and historical forts.
- Marine National Parks like the one in the Gulf of Kutch protect coral reefs and marine biodiversity.
- Desert National Park in Rajasthan conserves the unique ecosystem of the Thar Desert.
- Manas Biosphere Reserve is both a tiger reserve and an elephant reserve.
- The Great Himalayan National Park in Himachal Pradesh protects the alpine flora and fauna of the western Himalayas.
- Silent Valley National Park in Kerala is famous for its undisturbed rainforests and endemic species.
- India's diverse protected areas safeguard iconic species like the snow leopard and red panda.
- Challenges include poaching, deforestation, and climate change, which threaten the integrity of these areas.
- Eco-tourism in protected areas supports conservation efforts while generating local employment.
- Buffer zones around sanctuaries and parks minimize human-wildlife conflicts.
- Species-specific conservation efforts include the Vulture Conservation Programme to protect critically endangered vultures.
- National parks like Dachigam (Kashmir) focus on species such as the Hangul deer.
- Conservation efforts are supplemented by global initiatives like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
- Protected areas help preserve genetic diversity, which is crucial for ecological resilience.
- Community reserves involve local populations in protecting wildlife and their habitats.
- The Eco-sensitive zones around protected areas regulate activities to prevent ecological damage.
- India's forests, wetlands, and grasslands are essential components of its natural heritage.