Biodiversity Hotspots and Sacred Groves

 

 Biodiversity Hotspots and Sacred Groves

The variety of plants and animals and other living things in a particular area or region is called biodiversity.

Biodiversity is important because plant and animal species interact and depend upon one another for food, shelter, oxygen, and soil enrichment.

Biodiversity Hotspots:

A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic area notable for sustaining significant levels of biological diversity and which is threatened by destructive activities.

Biodiversity hotspots are home to unique flora and fauna, most of which are endemic to the particular environment. These regions have been identified as some of the world’s most important ecosystems.

In 1999, Norman Myers put forth the concept of Biodiversity hotspots. He published the book,“Hotspots: Earth's Biologically Richest and most Endangered Terrestrial Ecoregoins”,

 Initially, 25 biodiversity hotspots were identified

But now 36 Biodiversity hotspots were considered.

 

biodiversity hotspots in India

•India hosts 4 biodiversity hotspots:

•        The Himalayas,

•        The Western Ghats,

•        The Indo-Burma region

•        Sundaland (Includes Nicobar group of Islands).

These hotspots have numerous endemic species.

.Conservation

•        In-situ

•        ex-situ

 

sacred groves

 What are sacred groves? What is their role in conservation?

•        Sacred groves help in the protection of many rare, threatened, and endemic species of plants and animals found in an area. The process of deforestation is strictly prohibited in this region by tribals. Hence, the sacred grove biodiversity is a rich area.

•        Sacred groves are tracts of forest which are regenerated around places of worship. Sacred groves are found in

•        Rajasthan,

•        Western Ghats of Karnataka,and

•        Maharashtra, Meghalaya, and

•        Madhya Pradesh.

Chipko-type movements date back to 12 September 1730 AD when in village Prasanna Khamkar of Rajasthan, 363 Bishnois sacrificed their lives to save Khejri trees.

 

•        In Maharashtra, sacred groves are found in tribal as well as non-tribal areas.

•        The sacred groves in the western part are called Devrai or Devrahati whereas in the east, the Madiya tribals call them Devgudi.

 

•        2820 sacred groves have been documented in the state.

Some of the deities to whom these groves are dedicated are Maruti, Vaghoba, Vira, Bhiroba, Khandoba and Shirkai.

According to the report, the groves are home to rare flora and fauna, including endangered species. As many as 475 species of birds, 100 species of mammals, 156 species of reptiles, 91 species of amphibians, 196 species of fish and 150 varieties of butterflies abound in the groves.