By Saurabh
April 06, 2025
India is home to 4 of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, the Indo-Burma region, and the Sundaland (Nicobar Islands). These areas are rich in endemic species—plants and animals found nowhere else.
Despite occupying just 2.4% of the world’s land area, India shelters over 8% of global species, including the Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, and Indian rhinoceros. Losing biodiversity here affects global ecosystems.
India’s diverse ecosystems support a wide variety of traditional crops and livestock. This diversity is crucial for climate resilience, food security, and protecting against pests and diseases in the face of climate change.
India’s forests, mangroves, and wetlands act as carbon sinks, regulate rainfall, prevent soil erosion, and protect against floods. Destroying them increases the risks of climate disasters, especially in a country already vulnerable to extreme weather.
Over 7,000 medicinal plant species are found in India. Traditional knowledge systems like Ayurveda rely on biodiversity. Loss of plant species could mean losing cures for diseases—many yet to be discovered.
From sacred groves to rivers worshipped as goddesses, India’s culture is deeply tied to biodiversity. Preserving nature also means preserving centuries-old traditions and belief systems.
India is seeing rapid habitat loss due to deforestation, pollution, urban sprawl, and climate change. Nearly 12% of Indian flora and 20% of its mammals are threatened. If we don’t act now, extinction may be irreversible.