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Mega diversity refers to a country’s ability to exhibit a high level of biodiversity. A biologically diverse nation has at least 5,000 plant species and must be bordered by marine ecosystems. India is one of the world’s megadiverse countries, with 45,000 plant species and twice as many animal species. India has only 2.4 per cent of the world’s land area, but it has 8.1 per cent of the world’s species diversity, making it one of the world’s 12 mega diversity countries.
Flora and Fauna in India
The rich flora and wildlife of India are well-known. India is home to about 500 mammalian species, over 200 avian species, and over 30,000 insect species. The Zoological Survey of India, headquartered in Kolkata, is in charge of surveying India’s faunal resources.
India has a diverse temperature, topography, and habitat, and is noted for having the world’s richest flora, with over 18000 blooming plant species. These plant species account for about 7% of all plant species on the planet. The Western and Eastern Himalayas, Malabar, Assam, the Deccan, Indus and Ganges, and the Andaman Islands are the eight main floristic zones in India, which are home to 3000 Indian plant species.
Mega Diversity Hotspots in India
Four regions in India are classified as mega diversity hotspots, as they constitute a majority of different species of plants, animals and aquatic species in the ecosystem. Here are the 4 regions of Diversity hotspots in India:
- Sundaland
- Indo-Burma Region
- The Himalayas
- The Western Ghats
Sundaland
Sundaland is a South-East Asian hotspot that includes south-east Asian countries of Indonesia, Singapore and others. Sundaland was designated as a World Biosphere Reserve by the UN System in 2013. The rich land and marine ecosystems of this region are well-known. Sundaland is among the world’s ecologically richest regions with 25,000 varieties of vascular plants, 15,000 of which are unique to this region.
Indo-Burma Region
The Indo-Burma region covers a total area of 2,373,000 km2. Annamite Muntjac, Leaf Deer, Annamite Striped Rabbit, SaolaGrey-shanked Douc, Large-antlered Muntjac, are six large animal species that have been uncovered in this region in the previous 12 years.
This hotspot is particularly notable for its endemic aquatic turtle species, the majority of which are endangered owing to overfishing and habitat destruction. The Grey-crowned Crocias, Orange-necked Partridge and White-eared Night-heron are among the 1,300 bird species found here.
Himalayan Region
The Himalayas are the world’s highest mountain range, with nine of the ten highest peaks, including Mount Everest. These mountains, known as the Third Pole, are the source of some of Asia’s major rivers and also aid in climate regulation.
The Himalayas (overall) include North-East India, Bhutan, and the central and eastern regions of Nepal, and are considered the world’s highest mountains. There are 163 endangered species in this region, including the Wild Asian Buffalo and One-horned Rhino. There are over 10,000 plant species found here, 3160 of which are indigenous. This mountain range spans almost 750,000 square kilometres.
The Himalayas are confronted with numerous challenges, and governments are under pressure to provide for their people while also safeguarding their natural legacy. Forests are being stretched as demand for lumber and food crops continues to rise. International criminal networks are depleting forests of unique wildlife to serve the insatiable illegal market, and protected regions are becoming isolated pockets. Global climate change is melting the once-mighty Himalayas at a rate never before seen in human history, putting a key source of freshwater for billions of people in Asia at jeopardy.
The Western Ghats
The Western Ghats run along the western end of the Indian Region, encompassing the majority of India’s deciduous and rain forests. They are home to approximately 325 species of globally vulnerable flora, animals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish, according to UNESCO.
In the lower parts, the climate is humid and tropical, tempered by the proximity to the sea. A more temperate climate can be found at elevations of 1,500 m (4,921 ft) and above in the north and 2,000 m (6,562 ft) and above in the south. The annual average temperature is roughly 15 degrees Celsius.
The natural vegetation is mostly dense tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forest along the west coast, with shola grassland at higher elevations.
The flora in this region used to cover 190,000 km2, but it has now been decreased to 43,000 km2. 229 plant species, 31 animal species, 15 bird species, 43 species of amphibians, 5 reptile species, and various fish species are among the region’s globally vulnerable flora and fauna. According to UNESCO, of the total 325 internationally critically endangered in the Ghats, 129 are classified as Endangered, 145 as Endangered, and 51 are listed as Critically Endangered.
Conclusion
India is a large country with a vast variety of flora and fauna. It also accounts for a good number of endangered species which are required to be preserved and protected. The country has provided good biodiversity grounds for numerous plants and animals to facilitate and grow in 4 different biodiversity zones. It is important to preserve these regions and aid in their growth.
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