Conservation measures and strategies for declining biodiversity-national and global perspective

Abstract

The chapter deals with various conservation measures and strategies for dealing with the vanishing biodiversity of India. Being one of the most biodiversity rich countries of the world and ranking amongst one of the 17 megadiverse countries, it boosts to have 7-8% of all recorded species globally with more than 45,000 species of plants and 91,000 species of animals. The Protected Areas governed under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 help in conserving wild flora and fauna of the country. There is need to protecting wildlife corridors and restoring habitats for the wildlife by implementation of stricter wildlife protection laws, establishment of wildlife corridors, restoration of degraded habitats and at the same time involving local stakeholders and eminent wildlife NGOs for conserving the fast-depleting biodiversity. The chapter also discusses various global as well as national conventions and Frameworks for biodiversity conservation along with key wildlife laws and legislations. Major drivers of biodiversity loss along with major recovery of endangered species through conservation efforts undertaken have been described through few national and international success stories.