New Delhi: India is one of those countries which boasts of a rich biodiversity. The flora and fauna of this country are protected by laws and Acts and the wildlife sanctuaries. However, human activities like poaching and hunting have sent some of the animals to the category of being endangered. In this article, we will take a look at some of the endangered species in our country.
Five endangered species in India
1. Bengal Tiger
The Bengal tiger is a population of the Panthera tigris tigris subspecies and the nominate tiger subspecies and is among the biggest wild cats alive. It is considered to belong to the world’s charismatic megafauna and it is threatened by poaching, loss and fragmentation of habitat, and was estimated to comprise fewer than 2,500 wild individuals by 2011.
2. Asiatic Lion
The Asiatic lion is a lion population of the subspecies Panthera leo leo. It was found in eastern Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and from east of the Indus River in Pakistan to the Bengal region and the Narmada River in Central India until the 19th century. However, poaching and loss of habitat since the turn of the 20th century have limited the range of Asiatic Lions to Gir National Park and the surrounding areas in Gujarat.
3. Indian rhinoceros
Also called the greater one-horned rhinoceros, it is a rhinoceros species found in the Indian subcontinent. It is the second largest extant species of rhinoceros, and they have a single horn on their snout. Their upper legs and shoulders are covered in wart-like bumps and are almost hairless. Once widespread across the entire northern part of the Indian sub-continent, rhino populations plummeted as they were hunted for sport or killed as agricultural pests.
4. Snow leopards
These animals have evolved to thrive in some of the harshest conditions on this planet. Their thick white-gray coat spotted with large black rosettes is something coveted by the poachers. They are also known as the “ghosts of the mountains” since they can blend with their surroundings and become almost invisible. Poaching and loss of habitat have greatly reduced their numbers over the years.
5. Blackbuck
Also called the Indian antelope, it is a medium-sized antelope found in India and Nepal. It inhabits grassy plains and lightly forested areas with perennial water sources. Blackbuck is considered to be the fastest animal in the world next to Cheetah. There has been a dissolute decline in the population of Blackbucks throughout the country due to poaching and habitat loss. Over the years, this animal has suffered much reduction in numbers.
The flora and fauna of India are protected by laws and Acts and the wildlife sanctuaries. However, human activities like poaching and hunting have sent some of the animals to the category of being endangered. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
