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Who Coined the term Biodiversity? Why is India called a mega Diversity Centre?

Answer:

The term biodiversity was coined by Walter G. Rosen in 1986. 

  • Biodiversity refers to the diversity found on the planet Earth and other species that were extinct millions of years ago
  • India is home to more than 500 species of mammals, more than 200 species of birds and more than 30,000 species of insects 
  • Our country has 101 national parks, 333 wildlife sanctuaries, and 35 zoos and is home to a wide variety of animals
  • India has diverse climates, diverse topologies and habitats, and is known to have the richest flora in the world, home to more than 18,000 species of flowering plants
  •  These plant species make up 67% of the world’s plant species 
  •  India has eight major flora regions, the western and eastern Himalayas, the Indus and Ganges, Assam, Deccan, Malabar and Andaman, and is home to 3000 species of Indian plants