Correct Answer - Option 2 : A, B and C
The correct answer is A, B, and C.
- There are following four biodiversity hotspots in India:
- The Himalayas:
- Includes the entire Indian Himalayan region (and that falling in Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar).
- These Himalayan Mountains are the highest in the world and abode to some of the highest peaks of the world including Mount Everest and K2. Some of the major rivers in the world originate from the Himalayas.
- There are many endangered species in this region including one-horned rhinoceros, wild Asian water buffalo, and relict dragonfly whose only other species is found in Japan.
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Indo-Burma:
- Includes entire Northeastern India, except Assam and Andaman group of Islands (and Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and southern China).
- Different species of mammals have been discovered in this region recently including large-antlered muntjac, Annamite Muntjac, grey-shanked douc, leaf deer, saola, and Annamite striped rabbit.
- Other species such as monkeys, langurs, and gibbons too can be found here. Freshwater turtle species are also found in the region.
- The Sundalands:
- Includes Nicobar group of Islands (and Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines).
- These islands were declared as the world biosphere reserve in 2013 by the United Nations.
- These islands have rich terrestrial as well as marine ecosystems including mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. Species such as dolphins, whales, turtles, crocodiles, fishes, prawns, lobsters, and seashells comprise marine biodiversity.
- The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka:
- Includes the entire Western Ghats which comprise Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, and Gujarat (and Sri Lanka).
- These hills are present along the western edge of peninsular India.
- Since they are situated near the ocean, they are likely to receive a good amount of rainfall. Most of the deciduous, as well as rainforests, are present in this region.
