Several species are now endangered or possibly face extinction as a result of the rapid rate of development. Endangered species are animal or plant species that are at risk of extinction in the near future. The reasons for their decline in population are varied, including habitat loss, climate change, hunting, pollution, and disease. Both plants and animals have suffered as a result of the ecological imbalance brought on by the loss of forest areas.
A species is in danger of going extinct if it is rare, threatened by environmental changes, or vulnerable to predators. Because all species are interdependent, losing or lacking some organisms can have catastrophic consequences. One of the main causes of species endangerment is habitat loss. Forests are most at risk from agriculture, mining, hydropower development, and urbanization. Animals are compelled to adapt to their changing environment or perish when an ecosystem is not maintained. Another issue that has an impact on species, particularly aquatic life, is pollution. Overexploitation, disease, and climate change are other factors.
Many countries now understand how crucial it is to protect both ecosystems and wildlife. To provide endangered animals with protection, laws have been passed. The prohibition of hunting and the restriction of land development are a couple of these. To preserve the rich biodiversity of the forest environments, wildlife sanctuaries have been established in numerous locations. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) maintains a Red List of Threatened Species that categorizes species into different levels of threat, including Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable.
Due to its diverse geographical features, India boasts a wide variety of flora and fauna. However, there is now significantly less forest, which has put several valuable species at risk. The establishment of numerous parks, sanctuaries for wildlife, and forest reserves demonstrates the government’s strong importance devoted to environmental management. Species can be prevented from going extinct by captive breeding. The government has funded the well-known Tiger Project, a plan to protect tigers in some reserves.
The tiger, lion, rhinoceros, wild ass, lion-tailed macaque, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan musk deer, and dugong are among the endangered species of India. The major reason rhinos are murdered is for their horns, which are used to make dagger handles in the Middle East and medicine in nations in Asia.
Leopards and tigers are hunted for their beautiful bones and furry coats. In traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, the bones are being used. It is estimated that there are fewer than 2,500 Bengal tigers left in the wild. The snow leopard is found in the high altitudes of the Himalayas, and is listed as endangered due to poaching for its fur and habitat loss. While black bears are slaughtered for their gall bladders, which give the ingredients for a highly prized eastern medicine, musk deer are prized for their musk, which is utilized in perfumes and medicines.
The Ganges river dolphin is a freshwater dolphin that is found only in the Ganges and Brahmaputra river systems. It is listed as endangered due to habitat loss and pollution. The Great Indian Bustard is a large bird that is found in grasslands and scrublands of India. It is listed as critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting, and there are estimated to be fewer than 150 left in the wild. These are just a few examples of the many endangered species in India. The Indian government has taken steps to protect these species, but much more needs to be done to ensure their survival.
Illegal hunters catch wild animals and cage, abuse, and even kill them. Sometimes they use the cooperation from dishonest forest officials to carry out their brutal activities. Exorbitant prices are charged for the animals on the illegal market. People have only recently become aware of the violence endured by monkeys and bears when they perform street dances to the music of their trainers. Although the use of lions, tigers, bears, and panthers in circuses has been outlawed, some people continue to break the law.
Many species have been spared as a result of conservation efforts, but more has to be done to safeguard endangered species. Humans must be aware of the fact that a wide range of life forms coexist with us on the earth. With our superior intelligence, we should safeguard and defend our environment rather than drive them out.