| India has a rich heritage of wildlife as well as a long history
and tradition of conservation. India is also unique in the richness
and variety of wildlife. There are about 350 species of mammals,
2000 species of birds, 500 species of reptiles, more than 25,000
insects and lesser forms, about 2500 species of fish and other
marine creatures. In India, different animals are associated
with different Gods and are thus provided with religious sanctity,
which generally ensure conservation. All religions of ancient
India provided respect for nature and exhorted people to conserve
nature. The love and regard for wildlife is a part of Indian
culture. But due to increase in population and demand for land
for industrialization, hydro electro projects, urbanization
and agriculture, the wildlife habitats and the forests are being
destroyed.
Some of the species of wildlife, which are under threat of
existence, are the Indian hunting cheetah, Royal Bengal tiger,
the Asiatic lion, Hangul deer of Kashmir, Swamp deer, Black
buck, etc. Among birds and reptiles pink headed duck, the
mountain quail and Jerdon’s courser, Great Indian Bustard,
Gangetic Gharial, Marsh mugger, and Estuarine Crocodile have
all reached a point of near extinction. The main reaction
for extinction is mainly imputed to man more specifically
to man’s demographic and technological expansion. Some
species have been wantonly destroyed as a part of commercial
exploitation like the one horned Rhinoceros, Elephant, Musk
deer, Tiger, etc.,
The Government of India and the State Governments are now
becoming conscious of the deteriorating wildlife situation
and have acted towards creating safer zones for the wildlife
within the Reserve Forests by way of creating what are called
‘Protected Areas’. Protected area is a broad term
given primarily to National Parks and Sanctuaries meant for
affording protection to wild animals and their habitat. They
also include game reserves and biosphere reserves.
The national park system avow some of the most vibrant ecosystems
and biodiversity remaining in this country. Over sixty percent
of the endangered species are present within our national parks.
The habitat preserved within park boundaries affords many species
an oasis of survival and some of the last bastions of intact
ecosystems found today.
Yet the biodiversity found within our national parks is in
jeopardy. From pollution to poaching, invasive species to
habitat loss and fragmentation, these islands of life we call
our national parks may not be enough to ensure the survival
of those who call them home.
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