Table of Contents
Biodiversity Hotspots
Endangered Species
- India is home to a large variety of wildlife.
- India has three of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots – the Western Ghats, the Eastern Himalayas, and the Indo-Burma hotspot.
- The country has 12 Biosphere Reserves and 37 Ramsar sites.
National Animals
| National Animal | Tiger |
| National heritage animal of India | Indian Elephant |
| National aquatic animal | South Asian river dolphin |
| National Bird | Indian peacock |
| National Reptile of India | King Cobra |
National Parks of India
Biosphere Reserves of India
- Biosphere reserves are sites nominated by national governments and designated by UNESCO.
- Biosphere reserves include terrestrial, marine, and coastal ecosystems.
- Biosphere Reserves are designated under the intergovernmental MAB (Man and the Biosphere) Programme of UNESCO.
- The program of Biosphere Reserve was initiated by UNESCO in 1971.
- There are 12 biosphere reserves in India.
| Biosphere Reserves (Year of designation) | Location |
|---|---|
| Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (2000) | lies within Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala |
| Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve (2001) | Gulf of Mannar |
| Sunderban Biosphere Reserve (2001) | |
| Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (2004) | |
| Nokrek Biosphere Reserve (2009) | Tura Range, Meghalaya Plateau |
| Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve (2009) | Satpura mountain range |
| Similipal Biosphere Reserve (2009) | Highest peak – Khairiburu (1,168 metres). It has the largest forest of Sal in all of India. |
| Achanakmar – Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (2012) | |
| Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve (2013) | |
| Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (2016) | |
| Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (2018) | |
| Panna Biosphere Reserve (2018) |
Wildlife Sanctuaries
Tiger Conservation
Marine Life
Avian Diversity
- Diverse birdlife of India,
- migratory birds,
- endemic species,
- birdwatching destinations like Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.