A Megadiverse Nation
India is recognized as one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries, harboring a majority of Earth's species and high numbers of endemic species. This rich biological heritage stems from its unique geography, varied climates, diverse ecosystems, and its position at the confluence of three major biogeographic realms: Indo-Malayan, Eurasian, and Afro-tropical.
Global Share
Occupies 2.4% of world's land area but accounts for 7-8% of all recorded species.
Flora Richness
Home to ~47,000 plant species (11-12% of world's flora). Around 33% of its flowering plants are endemic.
Fauna Richness
Home to ~91,000+ animal species (6.5-7% of world's fauna).
High levels of endemism are found in the Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Tracing the Roots: Cataloging Biodiversity
Ancient & Medieval Texts
Early References
Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Sangam literature, and Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita documented plants and animals.
Mughal Period
Naturalist Emperors
Babur and Jahangir documented flora and fauna in their memoirs (Baburnama, Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri).
Colonial Period
Systematic Surveys
Establishment of Botanical Survey of India (BSI, 1890) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI, 1916). Key publications like "Flora of British India."
Modern Era (Post-1965)
Forest Assessment
Forest Survey of India (FSI, 1981, evolved from PISFR, 1965) for assessing forest cover and resources.
Post-Independence
Continued Research
BSI, ZSI, universities, and research institutions expand focus to ecological studies, conservation biology, and molecular systematics.
The Verdant Kingdom: Flora of India
India's plant diversity is immense, from Himalayan alpine flora to tropical rainforests and desert vegetation, boasting around 47,000 species.
Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)
Most dominant group (17,500-18,000 species). Includes trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers, grasses.
Examples: Teak, Sal, Mango, Neem, Banyan, Rhododendrons, Orchids (rich diversity), Bamboo, Ashwagandha, Tulsi.
Gymnosperms (Non-flowering Seed Plants)
About 60-70 species, primarily in Himalayan region.
Examples: Pine, Fir, Spruce, Deodar Cedar, Juniper, Cycads.
Pteridophytes (Ferns & Allies)
About 1,200-1,300 species in moist, shady habitats (Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats).
Examples: Various ferns, clubmosses, horsetails.
Medicinal Plants
India has a rich heritage (Ayurveda, Siddha, etc.) utilizing thousands of medicinal plant species.
- Rauwolfia serpentina (Sarpagandha): Hypertension
- Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): Adaptogen
- Aloe vera (Ghritkumari): Skin ailments
- Curcuma longa (Turmeric): Anti-inflammatory
The National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) promotes their sustainable use.
Endemic Flora
A significant percentage of India's flora is endemic (found only in India).
Hotspots for Endemism:
- Western Ghats
- Eastern Himalayas
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Many endemic species are threatened due to habitat loss and over-exploitation.
Other important groups include Bryophytes (~2,500 spp.), Algae (thousands of spp.), Fungi (~14,500+ spp.), and Lichens (~2,800 spp.), all playing vital ecological roles.
The Wild Realm: Fauna of India
India's animal diversity is equally impressive, with over 91,000 species, including iconic mammals, diverse birdlife, and a wealth of reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates.
Mammals (~430 spp.)
Includes Royal Bengal Tiger (National Animal), Asiatic Lion, Asian Elephant (National Heritage Animal), One-horned Rhino, Snow Leopard, and endemic species like the Lion-tailed Macaque.
Discover Mammals
Birds (~1300+ spp.)
Indian Peafowl (National Bird), Great Indian Hornbill, diverse birds of prey, waterfowl. India is on major migratory flyways.
Explore Avifauna
Reptiles (~550 spp.)
King Cobra, Pythons, Monitor Lizards. Crocodilians: Gharial (critically endangered), Mugger, Saltwater Crocodile. Marine turtles like Olive Ridley nest on Indian coasts.
Uncover Reptiles
Amphibians (~450 spp.)
High endemism, especially in Western Ghats (e.g., Purple Frog) and Northeast. Includes frogs, toads, caecilians.
Jump into Amphibians
Fish (~3000+ spp.)
Diverse freshwater (Carps, Mahseer) and marine fish (Sardines, Mackerel, Sharks). Gangetic River Dolphin is the National Aquatic Animal.
Dive into Fish World
Insects & Invertebrates
Most diverse group (tens of thousands of species). Includes butterflies (e.g., Southern Birdwing), beetles, ants, bees, spiders, corals, molluscs. Crucial ecological roles.
Inspect InvertebratesWildlife Diversity: An Overview
Indian wildlife reflects the immense faunal and floral diversity. Key characteristics include high species richness, presence of charismatic megafauna, high endemism, and significant populations of globally threatened species.
Conservation Concerns
Many species are threatened due to habitat loss, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, pollution, and climate change. IUCN Red List categories are used for status assessment.
Legal Protection
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides legal protection to many species through schedules, forming the backbone of wildlife conservation efforts in India.
The Mosaic of Life: Natural Habitats
India's diverse flora and fauna are distributed across a wide array of natural habitats, corresponding to its different ecosystems and biogeographic zones.
Forests
Tropical Rainforests (Western Ghats, NE), Deciduous Forests, Thorn Forests, Montane Forests (Himalayas), Mangroves (Sundarbans).
Grasslands
Himalayan meadows (bugyals), Terai grasslands (Kaziranga), Deccan plateaus, desert grasslands. Vital for species like rhinos and bustards.
Deserts
Thar Desert (hot desert in Rajasthan, Gujarat) and Cold Desert (Ladakh, Spiti) with specialized xerophytic and alpine steppe vegetation.
Wetlands
Inland (lakes, marshes like Loktak) and Coastal (estuaries, lagoons like Chilika, mangroves). Crucial for migratory birds.
Coastal & Marine
Sandy beaches, rocky shores, seagrass beds, coral reefs. Support diverse marine life including turtles, dolphins, and dugongs.
Island Ecosystems
Andaman & Nicobar Islands (rainforests, mangroves, coral reefs) and Lakshadweep (coral atolls). High endemism, fragile.
Spotlight: The Western Ghats
A Global Biodiversity Hotspot
Running parallel to India's western coast, the Western Ghats are one of the world's eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity. They are exceptionally rich in flora and fauna, with very high levels of endemism.
Key Features:
- Flora: Over 7,400 species of flowering plants (~1,800 endemic), diverse forest types from rainforests to shola grasslands.
- Fauna: Home to Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Purple Frog, and numerous endemic birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
- Ecological Importance: Influences monsoons, source of major peninsular rivers (Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri).
Threats & Conservation:
Faces habitat loss from agriculture, mining, dams, and urbanization. Conservation efforts include Protected Areas (Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve) and expert panel recommendations (Gadgil, Kasturirangan Committees).
The Western Ghats exemplify India's biodiversity richness, uniqueness, and the challenges of balancing conservation with development.
Relevance for UPSC Aspirants
Understanding India's biodiversity is crucial for UPSC Civil Services Examination, particularly for:
- Prelims: Facts on species (numbers, endemism, status), key flora/fauna examples, habitat types, conservation bodies (BSI, ZSI, FSI), National Parks/Sanctuaries.
- Mains (GS-III Environment, GS-I Geography): Questions on biodiversity variation, threatened species, conservation projects (Project Tiger, Elephant), deforestation, wetland/mangrove conservation, and India's role as a megadiverse country.
Familiarity with Previous Year Questions (PYQs) on these topics is highly recommended.