Biodiversity Hotspots in India – Distribution, Ecology, and Conservation Challenges
- GS1: Geography & ecological regions
- GS3: Conservation, climate change, biodiversity
- Prelims: Species, locations, mapping
- Optional (Geography): Biogeography, ecological classification
- Essay: Environmental security, ecological ethics
Introduction
The concept of Biodiversity Hotspots was introduced by Norman Myers (2000) as a scientific framework for prioritizing regions of exceptionally high biodiversity that are under severe threat. These are Earth’s most biologically rich and ecologically fragile areas that require urgent conservation intervention.
Criteria for a Biodiversity Hotspot
A region qualifies as a “hotspot” only if it fulfills two strict parameters:
- It must contain at least 1,500 species of endemic vascular plants (i.e., species found nowhere else in the world).
- It must have lost at least 70% of its original natural vegetation, primarily due to human activities.
These two conditions make hotspots both uniquely rich and highly threatened—thus demanding greater conservation focus.
India’s Global Position
Globally, there are 36 biodiversity hotspots, out of which four lie in India:
- Himalaya
- Indo-Burma
- Western Ghats–Sri Lanka
- Sundaland (restricted to Nicobar Islands in India)
Collectively, these hotspots contribute to:
- India’s position among the 17 megadiverse nations
- A major share of global endemism
- Critical climate and ecological services
These hotspots are not merely biological regions—they are living laboratories of evolution, repositories of tribal cultures, and key pillars of India’s environmental security.
Biodiversity Hotspot Concept – Deep Explanation
The hotspot concept emerged as a response to accelerating biodiversity loss. Conservation organizations needed a way to identify where limited global funds should be directed for maximum impact.
Why Hotspots Were Identified
- To prioritize regions with maximum species loss risk
- To defend areas with irreplaceable habitats
- To encourage global collaboration
- To guide policies on ecosystem restoration, protected area expansion, and climate resilience
Global Distribution
The 36 hotspots are distributed across:
- Tropical rainforests (Amazon, Congo)
- Island ecosystems (Madagascar, Philippines)
- Mountain ranges (Himalaya, Andes)
- Mediterranean biomes
India’s Role in the Indo-Pacific Biodiversity Network
India contributes to major global eco-regions including:
- Indo-Malayan realm
- Palearctic realm
- Oceanic biodiversity corridor
This places India at the intersection of continental and oceanic biodiversity flows, giving it extraordinary ecological value.
Biodiversity Hotspots Located in India
Let us examine each hotspot with greater depth and analytical detail.
A. Himalaya Hotspot
Geographical Spread
Covers the:
- Western Himalayas (Himachal, Uttarakhand)
- Central Himalayas (Nepal)
- Eastern Himalayas (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan)
- Trans-Himalayan regions (Ladakh)
This hotspot is characterized by dramatic altitudinal variation, giving rise to zones from tropical forests at the foothills to alpine meadows and nival zones.
Species Richness
- Plants: ~10,000 species, 35% endemic
- Animals:
- Snow leopard
- Red panda
- Himalayan tahr
- Monal pheasant
- Himalayan yew (medicinal)
Ecological Features
- High endemism due to geographical isolation
- Major watersheds: Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus
- Unique ecosystems: rhododendron forests, alpine meadows (bugyals)
Threats
- Glacier melt due to climate change
- Infrastructure (hydropower, roads)
- Overgrazing
- Deforestation from tourism
- Illegal trade (yew, musk deer)
Conservation Efforts
- Great Himalayan National Park (UNESCO)
- Khangchendzonga NP
- Snow Leopard Conservation Programme
- Community-managed forests (Van Panchayats)
B. Indo-Burma Hotspot
Geographical Coverage
Includes:
- Northeast Indian states (Assam, Arunachal, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura)
- Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, parts of Bangladesh
This is one of the most species-rich tropical regions in the world.
Key Species
- Hoolock gibbon (India’s only ape)
- Clouded leopard
- Golden langur
- Siroi lily (Manipur, endemic)
- Assam roof turtle
Ecological Characteristics
- River systems: Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy
- One of the world’s last remaining swamp forests
- High concentration of orchids and bamboo species
- Bird endemism in Eastern Himalayas–Indo-Burma corridor
Threats
- Illegal wildlife trade (rhino horn, pangolin scales)
- Jhum cultivation
- Infrastructure along border areas
- Poaching in porous international boundaries
- Oil exploration & logging
Conservation Innovations
- Hornbill Nest Adoption Programme, Nagaland
- Community forest reserves in Meghalaya
- Kaziranga Tiger Reserve landscape management
C. Western Ghats–Sri Lanka Hotspot
Geographical Stretch
Western Ghats run from Gujarat to Tamil Nadu, alongside Sri Lanka’s central highlands.
Biodiversity Features
- One of the world’s 8 “hottest hotspots”
- ~5,000 flowering plants (1,500+ endemic)
- Fauna:
- Lion-tailed macaque
- Nilgiri tahr
- Malabar civet
- Purple frog
Ecological Importance
- Major monsoon regulator
- Source of major rivers: Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri
- Evergreen & shola forests
Major Threats
- Hydropower projects
- Encroachment & plantation agriculture
- Climate change affecting monsoons
- Fragmentation from highways
Conservation
- Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
- Western Ghats UNESCO sites (39 sites)
- Silent Valley National Park
D. Sundaland (Represented in India by Nicobar Islands Only)
Geography
Includes:
- Nicobar group (not Andaman)
Part of a larger hotspot covering Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore.
Biodiversity
- Coral reefs & mangroves
- Endemic species:
- Nicobar megapode
- Crab-eating macaque
- Giant robber crab
- Tropical evergreen forests & littoral ecosystems
Threats
- Sea-level rise
- Tsunamis & seismic activity
- Invasive species
- Military & development pressure
- Isolation limiting genetic diversity
Protection Measures
- Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve
- Tribal protection laws (Shompen habitat)
Characteristics of Indian Biodiversity Hotspots – Detailed Analysis
1. Endemism
India’s hotspots are home to:
- Thousands of endemic plant species
- Restricted-range amphibians (Western Ghats)
- Endemic mammals like Nilgiri langur
- Island-endemic species (Nicobar)
2. Multiple Ecosystem Types
From:
- Shola-grassland mosaics
- Alpine meadows
- Lowland rainforests
- Coral reefs
- Mangroves
- Swamp forests
3. Evolutionary Significance
Western Ghats contain relict species that trace back to Gondwana supercontinent.
4. High Species Richness
Hosts:
- 30% of India’s plant species
- 60% of India’s amphibians
- 38% of India’s reptiles
- Thousands of invertebrates
5. High Threat Levels
Over 70% habitat loss recorded in all hotspots.
Urbanization, agriculture, and climate stress are accelerating species decline.
Ecological & Economic Importance
Ecological Importance
- Watershed protection for millions
- Monsoon stabilization (Western Ghats)
- Soil conservation
- Pollination services
- Carbon sequestration (forests + peatlands)
Economic Importance
- Tourism
- Fisheries (Sundaland, Indo-Burma)
- Medicinal plants
- Hydropower regulation
- Tribal livelihoods
Cultural Importance
- Sacred groves (Western Ghats, Northeast)
- Tribal ecological knowledge systems
- Cultural landscapes shaped by traditional agriculture
Threats to India’s Biodiversity Hotspots (Detailed)
1. Climate Change
- Glacial retreat in Himalayas
- Coral bleaching in Nicobar
- Shola forest contraction in Western Ghats
2. Habitat Fragmentation
- Roads splitting elephant and tiger corridors
- Dams creating habitat islands
- Tea, coffee, and rubber plantations replacing forests
3. Illegal Wildlife Trade
- Hornbill beaks
- Pangolin scales
- Assam roof turtle
- Forest orchids
4. Invasive Species
- Lantana, chromolaena
- Cats & rats in islands
- Pine plantations in Himalayas
5. Mining
- Iron ore mining (Goa, Karnataka)
- Limestone mining affecting cave ecosystems
6. Infrastructure Expansion
- Border roads in Himalayas
- Railway expansion in Western Ghats
- Ports & airstrips in islands
Conservation Measures
A. Government Measures
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
- Biological Diversity Act, 2002
- National Biodiversity Mission
- CAMPA for restoration
- Eco-Sensitive Zones
B. Protected Areas
- Tiger Reserves (e.g., Sunderbans, Pakke, Periyar)
- Biosphere Reserves
- National Parks / Sanctuaries
C. International Frameworks
- UNESCO World Heritage
- CBD targets
- RAMSAR conservation for wetlands
- REDD+ for carbon preservation
D. Community Initiatives
- Sacred groves in Western Ghats
- Hornbill Adoption Programme (Nagaland)
- Chipko legacy in Himalayan forests
- Nicobarese traditional conservation
Case Studies (UPSC Enrichment)
1. Silent Valley Movement (Kerala)
Stopped a dam project that threatened one of the world’s most pristine rainforests.
2. Snow Leopard Conservation (Himalayas)
Use of camera traps + community incentives improved snow leopard numbers.
3. Hornbill Conservation (Nagaland)
Community-based nest adoption revived hornbill presence.
4. Coral Restoration (Nicobar)
Artificial reefs & coral transplantation post-2004 tsunami.
5. Western Ghats Biodiversity Mapping
WGEEP & Kasturirangan Committee identified ecologically sensitive zones.
FAQs about Biodiversity Hotspots in India
Conclusion
India’s biodiversity hotspots are ecologically irreplaceable treasures, but their vulnerability demands urgent, sustained, and participatory conservation. These hotspots represent ancient evolutionary history, cultural diversity, and India’s ecological resilience. Protecting them is essential not just for India’s biodiversity security, but for global environmental stability.
