India
possesses a distinct identity, not only because of its geography,
history and culture but also because of the great diversity of its natural
ecosystems. The panorama of Indian forests ranges from
evergreen tropical rain forests in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the
Western Ghats, and the north-eastern states, to dry alpine scrub high in
the Himalayas to the north. Between the two extremes, the country
has semi-evergreen rain forests, deciduous monsoon forests, thorn
forests, subtropical pine forests in the lower montane zone and
temperate montane forests. The forests
of India have been known to be one of the richest in terms of
vegetation types and species diversity, and are classified into sixteen
major forest types ranging from the Himalayan temperate forests to dry
zone forests. The total forest cover at current estimates is
approx. 20% of the total geographic area. The forest diversity includes
about 17,000 flowering plants with over 5000 endemic species, and over
81,00 faunal species. Several of them are highly endangered.
The
near-shore coastal waters of India are extremely rich fishing grounds.
The total commercial marine catch for India has stabilized over the last
ten years at between 1.4 and 1.6 million tons, with fishes from the
clupeoid group (e.g. sardines Sardinella sp., Indian shad Hilsa sp. and
whitebait Stolephorus sp.) accounting for approximately 30% of all
landings.
India
contains 172 species of animal considered globally threatened by IUCN,
or 2.9% of the world's total number of threatened species. These
include 53 species of mammal, 69 birds, 23 reptiles and 3 amphibians.
India contains globally important populations of some of Asia's rarest
animals, such as the Bengal Fox, Asiatic Cheetah, Marbled Cat,
Asiatic Lion, Indian Elephant, Asiatic Wild Ass, Indian Rhinoceros,
Markhor, Gaur, Wild Asiatic Water Buffalo etc.
The
forests of India have been known to be one of the richest in terms of
vegetation types and species diversity, and are classified into sixteen
major forest types ranging from the Himalayan temperate forests to dry
zone forests.
Deforestation
and degradation together represent the two principal threats to forests
in India. Rapid and uncontrolled economic growth coupled with
rising demands for forest based products have led to severe loss of
forest resources and habitats.
Diversion
for forestland for industrial and developmental activities, shifting
cultivation, over grazing, encroachments and forest fires have led to a
decline in the ecological functions and values of forest
ecosystems. Unsustainable
and illegal logging practices resulting in increasing forest
degradation.
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