Biodiversity

The diversity of life on the planet encompasses a wide variety of biological organisms and ecological habitats. This complex, inter-related matrix – known collectively as ‘biodiversity’ – is disappearing at a rapid rate, due largely to human population growth, migration and economic development. At the global level, current trends suggest that continued loss or degradation of habitats could result in the disappearance of 15% of the world’s estimated 14 million species over the next twenty-five years. Analyses of tropical forested regions, where 50-90% of all species are thought to reside, indicate that 4-8% of rainforest species will become extinct by the year 2015 and 17-35% by 2040. Tropical forests are being lost at an average rate of nearly 20% million hectares annually.

The human-induced mechanisms of biodiversity loss include habitat destruction and fragmentation, introduction of exotic species, over-exploitation of plants and animals, pollution, global climate change, and industrial agriculture and forestry. Behind these processes lie population growth and migration, natural resource consumption, trade and economic systems, and legal institutions systems. Population dynamics encompassing growth rates, density, migration, urbanisation, over-consumption and pollution combine to reduce biodiversity in significant ways.

India features high levels of biodiversity within its ten biogeographic zones. The country’s flora includes 15,000 flowering plants and there are 1178 bird species (6% and 14% of the world total for each category respectively). As many as 3000 plant and over 250 animal species are endangered in India.

The Periyar Tiger Reserve in India’s Kerala State is located in a high population density region and is threatened by increasing tourist demand, local resource consumption, and religious ceremonial use. During a two month period each year, 10-20 million pilgrims visit the Shabrimala Shrine located within the reserve. Moreover, Periyar receives some 350,000 tourists annually. These temporary residents make extensive use of fuelwood and other resources, generate waste, and vastly increase road traffic, all of which threaten the endangered Indian tiger.

To address these challenges, many of the world’s nations participate in the Convention on Biological Diversity. So far, 180 countries have made a firm commitment to protecting biological diversity by becoming parties to the Convention.

Source: Adapted from: Environment for People: Building Bridges for Sustainable Development, UNEP, New York, 1997, pp. 4-9.