Wildlife is an integral part of our biosphere. Wildlife plays an important role in the structure and function (energy flow and mineral cycles) of an ecosystem.
Wildlife also facilitates tourism, recreation and safari etc. Every year from October 1 to 7, wildlife week is celebrated to make the public aware regarding conservation of wildlife and for public support.
There are two ways for the conservation of biodiversity viz –
(A) In situ conservation &
(B) Ex situ conservation
(A) In situ conservation – The plants and animals are conserved in their natural habitat Such as Biosphere, National park, Sanctuaries etc. Following types of reserves were made in India for conservation of threatened species –
- Biosphere reserves
- National parks
- Wildlife sanctuaries
In addition, for conservation of a specific species special projects are launched such as Tiger reserve, Ghariyal reserve, Elephant project, Project lion, Project musk deer, Wetland reserves, Mangrove reserves, Coral reef reserve, Project godawan etc.
(B) Ex situ conservation – In this technique, the plants and animals are conserve in artificial habitats instead of natural habitat such as botanical gardens, zoo, endemic gene bank, rescue centres etc. In addition, germplasm banks are developed to store germplasm of seeds, fruits, pollens, spores, ova etc) of the organisms.
Some of the efforts made by State and Central Govts for wildlife conservation are as follows –
- For conservation of wildlife, 515 Wildlife sanctuaries, 166 National parks and 733 protected area are established till 2016 in India.
- Wildlife conservation act (1972) was implemented.
- Encouraging of researches related to wildlife.
- Hunting of animals is banned and trading of plants and their products are subjected to conditions.
- Trading of wild animal products such as animal skin, skin of snakes, ivory, horn of Rhinoceros etc is declared as illegal.
Following efforts may be useful for the conservation of wildlife. Such as –
- Restriction on hunting
- Improvement in habitats
