Did you know about the 6 biodiversity hotspots of India?
The UNO has identified 36 special zones in the world with extremely rich, diverse and unique flora and fauna, all under the threat of disappearing if not preserved. These are called the biodiversity hotspots. 4 of these spots are officially in India, while 2 more are about to join the list. These areas are: the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, the Indo-Burma region and the Sundaland. The new names to be added are the Sundarbans and the Terrai-Dooars region. Let’s find out a bit more about these zones today.
The Himalayan Hotspot
The high altitude, pollution free air, and unique hill soil of the Himalayas support certain plants, animals, insects and birds that can’t be found elsewhere. Giant butterflies, brightly coloured birds and a variety of deer and goats make up a wonderland that looks like a page out of a colouring book. Some animals like the snow leopard are moving towards extinction, and need to be preserved to maintain the careful balance of nature.
The Indo-Burma region
This is a huge cross-country region, running through Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos PDR, parts of the Gangetic plains, areas along the banks of the Brahmaputra River and parts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Apart from rare animals and birds, the zone has certain orchids and creepers that need to be preserved because they are so rare, and yet so important in supporting the natural cycle. Sadly, all countries in this list have a flourishing illegal hunting scenario that is yet to be controlled strictly.
The Terrai-dooars grasslands
We have heard about the Savannah of Africa, but some of the world’s tallest and rarest grasslands are right here in the Terrai-Dooars region. It’s a narrow stretch at the Himalayan foothills, running through the Indo-Gangetic plains in India, Nepal and Bhutan. The elephant grass is the home of the one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephants and sloth bear, all of whom are hunted often for their tusk, horn and coat.
The Western Ghats hills
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has declared the Western Ghats a World Heritage Site. These green hills and tropical rain forests shelter a variety of animals like tigers, black panthers, and leopards, as well as strange birds and amphibians like an astonishing and colourful variety of frogs. The threat here comes directly from human greed, with builders burning forests and killing animals to expand their empire.
The remote islands of Sundaland
Sundaland is a stretch on the Indian Ocean, including the Nicobar Islands of India. The hotspot includes the sea floor, teaming with aquatic life. This hotspot is home to creatures like orangutans, pig-tailed langurs, Javan and Sumatran rhinos, and proboscis monkeys. Sundaland also has the rafflesia, the largest flowers of the world.
The Sunderbans zone
The Sunderbans are the famous delta of the Ganga, covered in mangrove forests, home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, huge snakes, crocodiles, dolphins and fascinating birds. The mangrove trees are important in not just preserving wildlife, but have acted often as India’s protection against hurricanes from the Bay of Bengal.