Biodiversity is crucial for human survival. It provides resources like food and clean air. Yet, a significant decline is clear. There is a reported 90% loss in certain biodiversity hotspots. This is largely due to habitat destruction and industrialization. India’s rich biodiversity, with over 45,000 plant and 91,000 animal species, reflects its varied climates and ecosystems. Human intervention and natural disasters aggravate this decline, leading to man-animal conflicts and increased extinction rates. The rapid pace of change threatens ecological balance. This pace risks the survival of many species and the overall health of the planet. Sustainable development strategies are urgently needed to tackle this crisis.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- The article highlights the alarming 90% loss of biodiversity in India due to habitat destruction and industrial expansion.
- India, with over 45,000 plant species and 91,000 animal species, showcases remarkable biodiversity, influenced by its varied climate and geography.
- Human intervention, such as tourism and resource overexploitation, contributes significantly to biodiversity loss and increases man-animal conflicts.
- The Holocene extinction is accelerating, threatening species and disrupting the ecological balance, which requires urgent attention and sustainable practices.
- Experts must find a balance between development and environmental protection to safeguard biodiversity and sustain Earth’s ecosystems.
Introduction
The reported 90% loss of biodiversity (Financial Express: 8-June-2021) under four Biodiversity hotspots is alarming. It is a cause of serious concern. The fast vanishing green cover, habitat destruction, and insidious industrial expansion are causing massive destruction. They lead to the colossal loss of valuable protoplasm and gene pool. It widely affects the globe and in turn, life of human beings.
Diversification in Living World
Biodiversity has become a commonly used catchword. Generally speaking, this diversification in the natural world gives us a variety of things to eat and enjoy. Various types of food, like grains, fruits, and vegetables, are part of divergent life forms. The permutation and combination of genetic materials have given rise to various genera and species. They add colour, variety, and aesthetics to our lives. They also give us the food and fresh air necessary for survival.
(A) Indian Scenario
India houses over 45000 species of plants. It also has 91000 species of animals. This diversity makes it clear that India is blessed with many and diverse life forms (India/IUCN). Occupying approximately 2.4 per cent of the world’s landmass, India hosts about 8 per cent of recorded species. Primarily tropical, India has varied and contrasted topography and environment.
India has large areas of hot and cold deserts. Additionally, the northern part of the country features large flat alluvial plains. There is a southern plateau and the Western Ghats in the south and southwest. The Thar Desert of Rajasthan has sizzling hot sand dunes. Summer temperatures hover around 45 to 50 degrees Celsius. In contrast, the Ladakh region experiences extreme cold. Winter temperatures can be as low as -15 degrees Celsius. Varied climatic conditions, topography, biomes, wetlands, marshlands and mangroves are the cause of such divergent life forms.
Photograph by Author
The Sun Is Eternal Source of Energy
The sun is an eternal source of energy which fuels the vigour to run lives. Since antediluvian it has been worshipped as God. The abiotic and biotic factors combine to form an ecosystem, a linchpin of all activities. It thus forms a vital but complex food web. This web includes all life forms, both flora and fauna. They trap energy to circulate in the network. Disturbance in the balance and/or disruption in cycles leads to the situation the world is in. The onus is conveniently put onto the faulty development and priorities that led to the current or impending catastrophe. A beaten argument that undue human intervention in the natural cycle causes havoc is usually put forth.
Human Intervention and Natural Calamities
The argument of undue human intervention is convincing and explains most of the catastrophic occurrences well. We have many incidences of natural fury translated into disasters, especially in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. A flash flood and widespread destruction in the Kedarnath area of Uttarakhand in 2013 is harrowingly etched in our minds. Additionally, tormenting incidences of cloudbursts have become frequent in the Himalayan region. Incessant rains also cause rampant loss of life and property. Still, lessons are yet to be learnt. Encouraging tourism and the creation of artificial amenities have led to a surge in tourist activities. It severely damages the ecosystem due to frequent human activities, heavy transport operations, and luxury creation.
Photograph by Author
Man-Animal Conflict and Biodiversity Loss
Is it the only cause of the loss of biodiversity? To a great extent, yes. The development and economic well-being of human society are justified. Nonetheless, one can’t ignore the fact that the overexploitation of natural resources is creating imbalances. The artificial and lopsided development causes unabated human traffic. It leads to widespread habitat destruction. This destruction exposes wild animals to human settlements and ultimately causes “Man-Animal Conflict”. This conflict causes the loss of valuable livestock, and sometimes humans. The series of events encourages poaching and/or the illegal killing of wild animals. Nevertheless, it isn’t the only cause. Extinction and organic evolution are also responsible.
Emergence And Disappearance of Life on The Earth
Since the emergence of the Earth as a planet, it has taken billions of years to reach its current position. Many life forms emerged and later vanished into oblivion. Huge trees, bogs, morasses and gargantuan animals had been the usual life forms of the aeon. They roamed freely, proliferated and died their natural death. Suddenly, due to still unknown causes, they vanished and were petrified. Their existence was divulged after millions of years by scientific research. Life travelled through phases. The animal and plant world evolved organically in a phased manner. Life evolved from unicellular to multicellular organisms. It transitioned from incipient all-in-one to complex organisms. Eventually, these organisms led to the highly evolved human race. All are the outcome of organic evolution.
Holocene Extinction
The evolutionary process of the past, nevertheless, has been gradual and organic. It replaced a particular species only when the new one was adapted to the changed condition. The current pace of change is not gradual but drastic. It does not give time to evolve a new life form to suit the change creating a sort of vacuum. It is proving harmful for the smooth transition from one to another more advanced life form.
The species are fast vanishing. The reported extinction of 25 species is a glaring example. This is the era of Holocene extinction. It is dangerous not only to the biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem. The threat extends to the overall existence of the most beautiful planet in the universe, Earth. The drastic change shocks the delicate eco-balance. This needs to be addressed. Policymakers and experts should devise a mutually beneficial approach for sustainable development vis-à-vis environmental protection.
If this article resonated with you, please share your thoughts and story. Kindly read the other writing discussing the cultural aspect of biodiversity by clicking HERE. Your dispassionate views are solicited.
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Kamal Kishore Srivastava
A retired government officer turned writer and photographer, Kamal Kishore Srivastava is a regular blogger and essayist who explores life’s deeper meanings through immersive reflections on nature, impermanence, and happiness. On his blog Nature’s Narrative, he blends philosophical storytelling with practical insights. Writing 1,200–1,500 words or more regularly, Kamal is committed to refining his craft, expanding his audience, and building a sustainable space where thought and feeling intersect.
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