The preservation of the diversity of numerous species and organisms that are significant to nature constitutes biodiversity conservation. The key goals of biodiversity conservation include: maintaining the diversity of species, sustainable use of ecosystems, and the sustainable use of species. The conservation of biological diversity also helps to maintain the integrity of food chains and vital ecological richness. In-situ and Ex-situ conservation are the two modes under which biodiversity conservation takes place. This article will explain to you about Biodiversity Conservation which will be helpful in preparing the Environment Syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service exam.

Need For Biodiversity Conservation

The need for biodiversity conservation is as follows:

• To make people aware of their surroundings and the diversity inside them.
• To achieve sustainable development, they must implement environmentally friendly methods.
• To not endanger the local flora and fauna.
• To stop overexploitation.
• To create institutions to educate the public about biodiversity and its significance.
• To take the required steps to safeguard endangered species.
• To make careful planning and control to keep species from becoming extinct.
• To protect the species such as various species of cattle, pets, farm animals, food crops, plants, timber trees, forage plants, and their wild relatives before they become extinct.

Biodiversity Conservation - Modes

Ex-situ Conservation

• This method involves removing threatened animals and plants from their native environment and relocating them to a designated location where they can be protected and given specialized care.
• This is accomplished by zoological parks, botanical gardens, wildlife safari parks, and seed banks.
• Many species of animals are nevertheless kept alive in zoological parks despite going extinct in the wild.
• Ex-situ conservation has recently gone beyond the preservation of vulnerable species.
• Now, utilizing cryopreservation technology, gametes of endangered species can be kept in viable and fertile form for extended periods of time.
• In vitro fertilization of eggs and tissue culture techniques for plant propagation are also possible.
• In seed banks, seeds of several genetic strains of commercially significant plants can be preserved for a long time.

Advantages

• Organisms are completely protected from predators and poachers.
• Individuals' health can be tracked and medical assistance can be provided as required.
• Populations can be divided more effectively in the case of a disaster.
• The genetic diversity of the population can be measured.
• Selective breeding programs can be implemented.

Disadvantages

• Genetic diversity in captive populations is minimal.
• As the creatures are residing outside of their normal habitat, nutritional problems could occur.
• Animals can be exposed to a wide variety of various diseases.
• Animals might not behave normally.

*To know more about the topic, click this link Ex-situ Conservation

In-situ Conservation

• The preservation of genetic resources in naturally occurring populations of a plant or animal species is known as in-situ conservation.
• It keeps the material where it was originally discovered and preserves the natural process of evolution which is not the case in ex-situ preservation.
• Biosphere reserves, national parks, sanctuaries, reserved forests, protected forests, and nature reserves are all forms of legal protection for ecologically distinct and biodiversity-rich locations in India.
• Turkey appears to be the first nation to have a national strategy for the preservation of genetic variation in its natural habitat.

Advantages

• Cost Efficient: In-situ conservation is an inexpensive and practical strategy to preserve biological variety.
• The species is allowed to develop in its native environment, where it has been developing for a long time, with the elimination of factors that are harmful to the species' survival.
• This significantly lowers the cost of conservation activities.
• Protection of Entire Ecosystem: We safeguard the complete ecosystem or natural habitat in order to guarantee the continued existence of the species.
• Naturally, the system needs a sufficient number of herbivores to provide food for the predators in order to protect a population of carnivores.
• There must be plenty of green foliage for herbivores to eat in order to keep the number of herbivores stable.
• As a result, a high number of organisms are preserved via the process.

Disadvantages

• Survival: Fragmented endangered habitats may not have enough space to guarantee the survival of these species.
• The Decline in Genetic Diversity: There may already be a significant decline in genetic diversity.
• Diseases and Interspecific Competition: There may still be diseases or interspecific competition, for example, that threaten the local organisms.

*To know more about the topic, click this link In-situ Conservation

Biodiversity Conservation - Importance

• Promotion of Human Culture: The diversity of living things is crucial to the health of our ecosystem. It encourages the growth of the human culture.
• Sustainable Development: Every organism is connected to another in some way, according to the ecological role. They work together and support one another for greater sustainable growth. Some species rely on other organisms for nourishment while others use sunlight to produce food for themselves.
• Maintenance of Nature’s Balance: The equilibrium of natural cycles, such as the movement of water and nutrients through an ecosystem, is maintained by species.
• The likelihood of their survival increases with the diversity of the ecosystem.
• Economic Role of Biodiversity: Biodiversity has a vital role in human existence and the economy. It offers the resources. The diversity of crops is crucial to human survival. Humans can obtain food, medicines, and other goods from biodiversity's resource pool. Due to its widespread use, this also causes biodiversity declines. Humans take advantage of biodiversity for their own gain.
• Scientific Role of Biodiversity: Biodiversity is crucial because it teaches us about the origins, processes, and evolution of diverse natural phenomena.
• It also aids in understanding how a species behaves. Participating in the extinction of other species is wrong. They have the same right to live on the planet as humans have.

Biodiversity Conservation - Threats

• Consumption of Natural Resources: The overall consumption of natural resources has increased as the human population has grown in recent years.
• Deforestation: To meet the demands of the expanding population, deforestation and overexploitation have intensified.
• Destruction of Tropical Forests: Only the tropical forests of the world are home to almost half of all species. Massive catastrophes could result from their destruction.
• Natural Disasters: Natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, droughts, etc. can also affect species. These disasters have an impact on flora and animals.
• Use of Chemical Pesticides: The extensive use of chemical pesticides in agriculture and the industrial waste that is dumped into the rivers endanger a variety of local animals.
• Pollutants: Hydrocarbons and other harmful substances are among the pollutants that kill delicate and vulnerable animals.
• Exotic Species: The term "exotic species" refers to species that are introduced to a location as residents rather than existing there naturally.
• Since they were not found and grown there, they were unable to survive and eventually went extinct.
• Certain species are also incapable of surviving in an unfamiliar environment.
• Therefore, the introduction of foreign species can occasionally harm the ecology.
• Poaching: Additionally, it has been seen that poachers hunt creatures like elephants, tigers, crocodiles, minks, and birds mercilessly for their tusks, horns, etc. As a result, several species are now considered endangered.

Biodiversity Conservation - Steps Taken

• Earth Summit: The Convention on Biodiversity was signed during the Earth Summit in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which also included the participation of the Government of India and 155 other countries.
• Numerous steps have been suggested by the global conservation strategy to preserve biodiversity.
• Wild Life Protection Act, 1972: The Indian government created the Wild Life Protection Act in 1972 to protect wildlife, plants, and forests.
• Numerous sanctuaries, biosphere reserves, and national parks have been established as a result of this act.
• Mega Diversity Centers: Tropical regions are among those with high biodiversity. Mega Diversity Centers is the name given to them.
• Twelve nations—India, Mexico, Columbia, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Australia—are home to these "mega diversity centers.
• (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources: IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) has identified hotspots in these vulnerable regions that need to be conserved.

Biodiversity Conservation - Species Based Programs

Project Tiger

• In order to preserve our country's symbol, the tiger, Project Tiger was established in 1973 with 9 tiger reserves.
• Presently, 50 people are covered by Project Tiger, dispersed over 18 states with active tigers.
• The core/buffer technique was used to create the tiger reserves.
• The buffer or periphery regions are a mixture of forest and non-forest land, administered as a mixed-use area, while the core parts have the legal character of a national park or a sanctuary.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change has an ongoing centrally sponsored program that gives tiger states central support for tiger protection in designated tiger reserves.

Project Elephant

• An initiative supported by the Central Government called Project Elephant was started in February 1992.
• The government offers assistance to the states that have a population of wild elephants roaming free through the Project Elephant program in terms of elephant management and protection.
• It guarantees the preservation of elephant migration routes and habitats to ensure the sustainability of the wild elephant population.
• This country's 28 states and union territories, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, primarily execute this elephant conservation approach.
• These states receive technical assistance and financial support from the union government to carry out and complete Project Elephant.

Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project

• The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies the Asiatic lion as an endangered species.
• The Indian Government's Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project seeks to preserve Asiatic lions by returning them to the wild. In India, this project is also referred to as the "lion project."
• The government adopted this action to reintroduce the endangered Asiatic lions to other woods in an effort to lessen the threat to the current population.
• Asiatic lions are currently restricted to Gujarat's Gir National Park. They are vulnerable to floods, diseases, droughts, etc. since they are restricted to just one location in India.
• The Asiatic lion species could become extinct entirely if such unfavorable conditions materialize.

Biodiversity Conservation - Historical Citizen Movements

Chipko Movement

• It is a social-ecological movement that used hugging trees to stop them from falling as a form of peaceful resistance and Gandhian satyagraha.
• Early in the 1970s, when awareness of rapid deforestation grew, the contemporary Chipko movement was born in Uttarakhand's Garhwal Himalayas.
• On March 26, 1974, a group of peasant women in Reni village, Hemwalghati, in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India, took action to stop the cutting of trees and reclaim their traditional forest rights that were threatened by the contractor system of the state Forest Department.
• This action is considered the turning point in this conflict.
• Numerous such acts were sparked by their deeds at the local level around the area.
• By the 1980s, the movement had extended over all of India, which helped to shape people-sensitive forest policies that ended open tree-cutting in places like Vindhyas and the Western Ghats.
• However, the first known instance of Chipko was in the village of Khejarli in the Jodhpur area in 1730 AD when 363 Bishnois under the leadership of Amrita Devi gave their lives to hug green Khejri trees, which were revered by the locals.

Appiko Movement

• In India, the Appiko movement was a groundbreaking environmental conservation movement.
• The peasants of the district of Karnataka province in southern India started a similar initiative to safeguard their forests after being inspired by the Chipko movement in Himalayan Uttarakhand.
• Salkani men, women, and kids "hugged the trees" in Kalase forest in September 1983 (In Kannada, "hugging" is referred to as "appiko").
• Southern India saw a new consciousness as a result of the Appiko movement.

Conclusion

The existence of a vast variety of life forms is a significant characteristic of the blue planet. On the one celestial body known to harbor life in the universe, all life forms—from bacteria to plants or animals—play crucial roles. These life forms are interconnected in a dynamic way. Any life form on earth needs the direct or indirect help of other living things in order to exist. Thus, the conservation of the planet's biodiversity is essential to maintaining its ecosystems. Every person on the planet has a duty to conserve biodiversity in order to leave a healthy planet for future generations.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following is a primary benefit of biodiversity?

A) Increased pollution
B) Enhanced ecosystem services
C) Habitat destruction
D) Invasive species proliferation

2. What is a major cause of habitat loss?

A) Reforestation
B) Urbanization
C) Wildlife conservation
D) Organic farming

3. Which of the following practices is essential for sustainable resource management?

A) Overfishing
B) Slash-and-burn agriculture
C) Sustainable forestry
D) Monoculture cropping

4. What is the main goal of the Convention on Biological Diversity?

A) To promote industrial development
B) To enhance biodiversity conservation
C) To increase deforestation
D) To limit international trade

5. What is an invasive species?

A) A native species
B) A species that enhances biodiversity
C) A non-native species that disrupts local ecosystems
D) A protected species

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Evaluate the challenges facing biodiversity conservation in the context of climate change.

Answer: Biodiversity conservation faces significant challenges due to climate change, which alters habitat conditions, species distributions, and ecological interactions. As temperatures rise and weather patterns shift, many species may struggle to adapt, leading to increased extinction rates. Habitat loss from extreme weather events and rising sea levels further exacerbates these challenges, as ecosystems become fragmented and less resilient. Conservation efforts must adapt to these changing conditions by prioritizing the protection of diverse habitats, facilitating species migration, and enhancing ecosystem resilience to climate impacts. Addressing climate change through mitigation strategies is also essential for protecting biodiversity and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources.

Q2: Discuss the importance of local communities in biodiversity conservation efforts.

Answer: Local communities play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation as they are often the stewards of their natural resources and ecosystems. Their traditional knowledge, practices, and cultural values are integral to effective conservation strategies. By involving local communities in decision-making processes and conservation initiatives, it is possible to achieve sustainable outcomes that respect local customs while promoting biodiversity. Empowering communities through education, capacity building, and equitable sharing of benefits from conservation activities fosters stewardship and enhances conservation effectiveness. Moreover, recognizing the socio-economic needs of local populations ensures that conservation efforts do not lead to displacement or economic hardship, creating a more inclusive approach to biodiversity conservation.

Q3: Analyze the role of international cooperation in biodiversity conservation.

Answer: International cooperation is vital for biodiversity conservation, as many species and ecosystems transcend national boundaries. Global initiatives, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, facilitate collaboration among countries to address shared challenges related to biodiversity loss and habitat destruction. Effective conservation requires the sharing of knowledge, resources, and best practices across borders. Additionally, international cooperation can mobilize funding for conservation projects in developing countries, where biodiversity is often richest but most threatened. By working together, nations can develop comprehensive strategies to combat threats to biodiversity, such as climate change, pollution, and unsustainable resource exploitation, fostering a collective responsibility towards preserving the planet's biological heritage.

Previous Year Questions on Biodiversity Conservation

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: Which of the following is a primary objective of biodiversity conservation?

A) Increase economic exploitation
B) Enhance species extinction
C) Maintain ecosystem health
D) Promote industrialization

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The primary objective of biodiversity conservation is to maintain ecosystem health, which supports all forms of life and contributes to essential ecosystem services.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Evaluate the effectiveness of current strategies for biodiversity conservation in India."

Answer: Current strategies for biodiversity conservation in India include the establishment of protected areas, community-based conservation initiatives, and legal frameworks such as the Biological Diversity Act. While these strategies have led to increased awareness and some success in preserving endangered species, challenges remain, such as habitat loss, overexploitation, and climate change. Strengthening local involvement in conservation efforts, enhancing habitat connectivity, and implementing adaptive management practices are crucial for improving the effectiveness of these strategies. Additionally, integrating biodiversity considerations into broader development planning can help mitigate the impacts of human activities on ecosystems.