SSC CGL DEST Previous Year – Biodiversity & Wildlife Protection

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the diversity of species, ecosystems and genetic resources. India is one of the world's mega-diverse countries, with a rich variety of flora and fauna. The country is home to several thousand species of plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. However, biodiversity in India and across the world is under serious threat. Habitat destruction, poaching, pollution, invasive species and climate change are driving many species towards extinction at an unprecedented rate. The tiger, the elephant, the one-horned rhinoceros and the snow leopard are among the iconic species that face significant threats. The Government of India has taken several steps to protect wildlife. Project Tiger was launched in 1973 to protect the Bengal tiger and its habitat. The programme has been successful in increasing the tiger population from around 1800 at the time of its launch to over 3000 today. Project Elephant was launched in 1992 to protect elephants and their habitats. There are more than 100 national parks and 500 wildlife sanctuaries in India. The Wildlife Protection Act prohibits hunting of specified animals and trade in wildlife products. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species regulates international trade in wildlife. Community participation in conservation is vital. Local communities living around forests and wildlife areas need to be partners in conservation, not adversaries. Ecotourism can provide economic benefits to local communities while supporting wildlife conservation.