Top 10 endangered species in India

Top 10 endangered species in India

Today, as we celebrate National Endangered Species Day, 10 of India's most endangered species are on the verge of extinction and need immediate protection.

India, known for its rich biodiversity, is now at the forefront of a crisis due to various factors such as population density and rapid land development. Habitat loss, predation and climate change.

1.Asian elephant 

Asia's largest land mammal

As Asia's largest land mammal, the Asian elephant has great cultural significance across the continent. Worshiped in India and beyond, these majestic creatures play an important role in the conservation of forest and grassland ecosystems. Once thriving across India, including areas like Punjab and Gujarat, Asian elephants are now threatened by habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict and poaching for their tusks. Conservation efforts for these iconic animals are critical to protecting their future and the biodiversity they support.

2.Gangetic Dolphins 

Gangetic dolphins 

Living in one of the world's most densely populated areas, Gangetic dolphins face unprecedented threats to their survival. River drainage and sedimentation, mainly due to deforestation, pollution and entanglement in fishing nets, have pushed the species to its limits. In addition, changes in the river have led to population fragmentation due to dams, exacerbating the problem. The dolphin's habitat is spread across the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems in Nepal, India and Bangladesh.

A recent survey by WWF-India and its partners shows a staggering decline with less than 2,000 individuals found in India alone.

3.Indian Rhinoceros

The Indian rhinoceros, also known as the unicorn

The Indian rhinoceros, also known as the unicorn, is found mainly in India and in the foothills of the Himalayas. The species has long been a target for poachers due to the medicinal properties of their horns and the threat of agricultural pests. In addition, rhino populations often face challenges related to flooding, which forces them to seek refuge on higher ground outside protected areas, increasing human-wildlife conflicts.

4.Snow Leopard 

India's snow leopard population 

India's snow leopard population has fallen to just 500 individuals, with dramatic declines in 12 countries including China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia and Mongolia. The Himalayan region is expanding its natural habitat, leading to encroachments on human habitations in search of livelihood and increasing human-wildlife conflicts. In addition, the skin, bones and other body parts of snow leopards are threatened by the illegal trade of their livelihoods. Conservation efforts are needed to protect these endangered cats and maintain the delicate balance of mountain ecosystems.

5.Bengal Tiger

Bengal tigers, nearly half of the world's tigers

Home to 2,226 Bengal tigers, nearly half of the world's tigers, India is home to these giant animals, accounting for 70% of their population, with smaller populations in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and China. Myanmar. Although Bengal tigers can adapt to a variety of habitats such as forests, mangroves and swamps and recent population growth, the species is at risk of extinction due to ongoing threats such as poaching and poaching for skin and body parts. , and the spread of cities and the loss of human settlements. . Wildlife conflicts.

6.Red Panda

Red Pandas as critically endangered 

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed red pandas as critically endangered due to a significant population decline of 50% in the past three generations, with further declines expected in the next three generations. In India, this wild animal is mainly found in Sikkim, West Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling district of West Bengal and some parts of Meghalaya where it is called the state animal of Sikkim.

7.Asiatic Lion

Asiatic lion, a species of lion

The Asiatic lion, a species of lion, once ranged from southwest Asia to eastern India. However, the population has declined dramatically and both species are now confined to the Gir National Park in Gujarat, India. Asiatic lions, which are 10-20% smaller than African lions, have been listed as critically endangered by the IUCN since 2010 and currently number around 500-650.

Although these beautiful animals are protected in the Gir forest, they face many threats. Farmers in the area often use useless and illegal electric fences to protect their crops, which accidentally catch and kill lions. In addition, many lions accidentally drowned in about 20,000 open wells dug for irrigation. Conservation measures, including habitat restoration and anti-poaching measures, are critical to the survival of these fascinating species for future generations.

8.Nilgiri Tahr

Nilgiri tahr, the endangered mountain goat

The Nilgiri tahr, the endangered mountain goat, has only 2,500-3,000 goats left in the wild. Poaching and habitat destruction have reduced them to barely 10% of their former population in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Climate change poses a serious threat, as rising temperatures are expected to render their mountain and rocky habitats unusable.

9.Gaur

Indian cow or gaur is the largest wild animal

The Indian cow or gaur is the largest wild animal in the world. Wild elephants in South and Southeast Asia are at risk of habitat loss and food shortages due to hunting, poaching and drug use, as well as habitat degradation. The species has lost over 70% of its population in many areas. Considered critically vulnerable by the IUCN, the gaur is protected in India, but restoration of native vegetation and management of pasture is important.

10.Lion-tailed Macaque

The lion-backed macaque, the famous silver-grey monkey

The lion-backed macaque, the famous silver-grey monkey native to the Western Ghats of southern India, has only about 4,000 wild individuals. Experts expect rainforests to decline by 20% over the next 25 years due to continued growth due to hunting, road erosion and habitat loss. The Nilgiri tahr, the endangered mountain goat, has only 2,500-3,000 goats left in the wild. Poaching and habitat destruction have reduced them to barely 10% of their former population in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Climate change poses a serious threat, as rising temperatures are expected to render their mountain and rocky habitats unusable.

Conclusion

If there are just a few species of an animal left and there is a significant chance that the species will become extinct, the animal is said to be endangered.). More than 10 species die every day, so we need to start protecting and helping these creatures! Saving these animals is important because if we start losing many of them (and ourselves), we will start destroying symbiotic relationships, especially those that benefit both species! Once animal relationships are destroyed, animal relationships will also be affected, and plants and crops are our source of food and oxygen, so without them, people will begin to die, and we CANNOT let that happen! So we must do everything in our power to save these animals! For example, recycling is easy, but not recycling is the cause of many animal deaths, so by recycling we can save the environment. It may not be a problem for you now, but it certainly will be in the future if these deaths continue!

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