India faces biodiversity threat with 14% species at risk

By Rajkumar Sinha*   

Life on Earth has unfolded over hundreds of millions of years, with countless species emerging and disappearing in the natural cycle of evolution. Extinction has always been part of this process, driven by volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts, and climatic shifts. 

But since the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s, human activity has accelerated extinction at an alarming pace. In just the past 50 years, more than half of the planet’s birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish have vanished. Over the last two millennia, nearly 200 species have disappeared, and today the extinction rate is estimated to be 1,000 times higher than the natural baseline.  

Studies suggest Earth hosts nearly 8 million species. According to the IUCN Red List, more than 48,600 species are currently threatened, primarily due to human actions: habitat destruction, illegal hunting, pollution, and climate change. Deforestation, urban expansion, and intensive agriculture are stripping animals of their homes. Rising temperatures outpace species’ ability to adapt. 

Chemicals and plastics disrupt ecosystems. Each extinction destabilizes food chains, undermining agriculture, human survival, and the delicate balance of nature. From microscopic organisms to the mighty blue whale, every species plays a role in regulating atmospheric nitrogen and sustaining ecological equilibrium.  

The global community must act decisively—strengthening conservation measures, curbing climate change, and protecting natural habitats. Encouragingly, dedicated organizations and communities have rescued species from the brink, proving that conservation works. Worldwide efforts include captive breeding programs, wildlife sanctuaries, and international laws. 

In India, the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 provides a legal framework, under which landmark initiatives like Project Tiger (1973), Project Elephant (1992), and Project Cheetah (2022) have been launched. Yet, despite being one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, India faces grave challenges: nearly 14 percent of its species are critically endangered.  

Innovative strategies such as conservation breeding and assisted reproduction are vital. Hyderabad’s advanced biotechnology labs are pioneering artificial insemination and DNA banking for wildlife. This facility has successfully cryopreserved sperm and ova, enabling the breeding of endangered species like the blackbuck, spotted deer, and Nicobar pigeon. To date, genetic resources from 23 Indian species have been preserved, creating a vital genetic bank for the future.  

Globally, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, remains a cornerstone. It emphasizes conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of biodiversity’s benefits—such as medicinal resources—while recognizing the role of local communities and traditional knowledge. Nearly all nations have ratified the treaty, making it one of the most significant environmental agreements in history.  

The protection of endangered species is not merely an ecological concern—it is a question of human survival. The success of conservation depends on political will, community participation, and sustainable development models. National Endangered Species Day is a reminder that safeguarding biodiversity is inseparable from safeguarding humanity itself.  

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*Bargi Dam Displaced and Affected Association