Endemic & Endangered Species

ENDANGERED SPECIES
 According to The International Union of Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN),
the species that considered in imminent danger of extinction and whose survival is unlikely, if
factors causing their decline continue to operate.
 Out of about 47,000 species of plants in our country, 7000 are endemic
 India contains 172 species of animals considered globally threatened by IUCN, or 2.9% of the
world’s total number of threatened species.
 These include 53 species of mammals, 69 birds, 23 reptiles and 3 amphibians
 As many as 3,000- 4,000 higher plants may be under high degree of threat in India
 Thus Indian subcontinent has about 62% endemic flora, restricted mainly to Himalayas, khasi
Hills & Western Ghats.
 Sapria himalayana, Uvaria lurida, Napenthes khasians etc. are some endemic flora of our country.
 A large number out of a total of 81,000 species of animals in our country is endemic. About 62%
amphibians and 50% lizards are endemic to western Ghats.
 Golden monkey, Niligiri Langur, Indian Wolf, Red Fox, Himalayan Brown Bear, Great Indian
One Horned Rhinoceros, White Winged Wood Duck, Black Necked Crane, Indian Pea Fowl,
Gharial, Indian egg eating Snake, Indian Salamandar etc. are some examples of endemic animal
species of India.
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ENDANGERED SPECIES OF INDIA

A species is said to be endangered when its number has been reduced to a critical level or whose
habitats have been drastically reduced and if such a species is not protected and conserved, it is in
immediate danger of extinction.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) publishes the
Red Data Book which includes the list of endangered species of plants and animals. The red data
symbolizes the warning signal for those species which are endangered and if not protected are likely to
become extinct in near future.
In India, nearly 450 plant species have been identified in the categories of endangered,
threatened or rare. Existence of about 150 mammals and 150 species of birds is estimated to be threatened
while an unknown number of species of insects are endangered. It may not be of direct relevance here to
give a complete list of endangered flora and fauna of our country. However, a few species of endangered
reptiles, birds, mammals and plants are given below:
(a) Reptiles : Gharial, green sea turtle, tortoise, python

(b) Birds : Great Indian bustard, Peacock, Pelican, Great Indian Hornbill, Siberian White Crane
(c) Carnivorous : Indian wolf, red fox, Sloth bear, red panda, Mammals tiger, leopard, striped hyena,
Indian lion, golden cat, desert cat, dugong
(d) Primates : Hoolock gibbon, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Capped monkey, golden monkey
(e) Plants : A large number of species of orchids, Rhododendrons, medicinal plants like Rauvolfia
serpentina, the sandal wood tree Santalum, Cycas beddonei etc.
The Zoological Survey of India reported that Cheetah, Pink headed duck and mountain quail have
already become extinct from India.
1. A species is said to be extinct when it is not seen in the wild for 50 years at a stretch e.g. Dodo,
passenger pigeon.
2. A species is said to be endangered when its number has been reduced to a critical level or whose
habitats, have been drastically reduced and if such a species is not protected and conserved, it is in
immediate danger of extinction.
3. A species is said to be in vulnerable category if its population is facing continuous decline due to
overexploitation or habitat destruction. Such a species is still abundant, but under a serious threat of
becoming endangered if causal factors are not checked.
4. Species which are not endangered or vulnerable at present, but are at a risk are categorized as rare
species. These taxa are usually localized within restricted areas i.e. they are usually endemic. Sometimes
they are thinly scattered over a more extensive area.
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ENDEMIC SPECIES OF INDIA
A species which are found only in a particular region are known as endemic species.
India has two biodiversity hot spots and thus possesses a large number of endemic species. Out
of about 47,000 species of plants in our country 7000 are endemic. Thus, Indian subcontinent has about
62% endemic flora, restricted mainly to Himalayas, Khasi Hills and Western Ghats. Some of the
important endemic flora include orchids and species like Sapria himalayana, Uvaria lurida, Nepenthes
khasiana, Pedicularis perroter etc. A large number out of a total of 81,000 species of animals in our
country is endemic. The western ghats are particularly rich in amphibians (frogs, toads etc.) and reptiles
(lizards, crocodiles etc.). About 62% amphibians and 50% lizards are endemic to Western Ghats.
Different species of monitor lizards (Varanus), reticulated python and Indian Salamander and
Viviparous toad Nectophhryne are some important endemic species of our country.
Some important endangered and extinct species are shown below:

Endemic & Endangered Species

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ENDANGERED SPECIES

ENDANGERED SPECIES OF INDIA

(a) Reptiles : Gharial, green sea turtle, tortoise, python

ENDEMIC SPECIES OF INDIA

Some important endangered and extinct species are shown below:

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