Endangered Species Day 2023: India is a diverse country with many species of plants, animals, mammals and reptiles. There are about 89 national parks, 18 biological reserves and about 400 wildlife sanctuaries. With the increase of various activities, including hunting and poaching, the threat of wildlife extinction has increased. The government has taken a number of measures to protect wildlife.
Endangered Species Day is celebrated every year on the third Friday of May. This year it is celebrated on 20 May. The day was established in 2006 by David Robinson and the Endangered Species Alliance with the aim of celebrating, learning and doing activities to protect the endangered species. species in danger of extinction.
According to IUCN, more than 31,000 species are at risk of extinction. A total of 27% of all species were assessed. The world’s most comprehensive list of endangered species has been updated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Each species is assessed according to some criteria of the Red List of Threatened Species.
- The population decreased by 50-70% within 10 years.
- The local population is less than 500 people per square kilometer or the total geographical area is less than 5,000 square kilometers.
- Adult population is no more than 2,500.
- A population limited to 250 adults or statistically predicted to become extinct within the next 20 years.
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List of 5 endangered species in India
1. Western gibbons
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The forests of Northeast India are known for their rich biodiversity. They support both animals and plants. These forests also support the highest diversity of primates in India. The western gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) is the only monkey found in the country. hoolock is also listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The western hoolock is in decline due to habitat destruction in various forms and hunting for meat. Over the past 30 years, Western gibbon populations have declined by nearly 90%. Today, it is considered one of the 25 most endangered primate species in the world. It is listed in Appendix 1 of the Conservation (Wildlife) Act of India, 1972 in India.
To protect them, in 1997, the Government of Assam upgraded the status of Hoollongapar Reserve Forest in the Jorhat district of Assam to Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, making it the first protected area to be protected. named after a species of primate.
2. Asian Lion
They are slightly smaller than African lions. They have a fold of skin running down their abdomen. They face threats of poaching and habitat fragmentation. Its entire species can only be found in India and is restricted to Gir National Park, Gujarat. Since 2010, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has declared the Asian lion an endangered species. In 2020, an Asian lion census was conducted showing that the lion population has increased by 29% since 2015 and there are currently around 674 lions living in Gir National Park.
3. Blackbuck
The black hen (Antilope cervicapra) is the only representative of the Antelope genus and is found in India. The main causes of boat disappearances are poaching, habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, urbanization and neglect. It is listed as an endangered species in India (in Appendix I of the Indian Wildlife Act, 1972). Blackbucks are found in small herds in open grassland, dry shrubland and sparsely forested areas across India. They were also introduced to Argentina and the United States to help increase the population.
4. Kashmiri red deer
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They are known for their huge horns with 11 to 16 pointed tips. The IUCN has declared the Kashmir deer or hangul to be a critically endangered species. Over the centuries, they were hunted and their habitat destroyed, resulting in their population dwindling. They are listed in Category I of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and the J&K Wildlife Protection Act 1978. The Government of India has also listed them among the 15 priority species. conservation first.
5. Lion-tailed macaque
Lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) are listed as ‘threatened’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They are found in the tropical forests of the Western Ghats in India, mainly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The reason for their name is their distinct mane and tail, which resembles a lion. They are usually shy and avoid contact with people and prefer to move in groups. The conservation status of the lion-tailed macaque improved from ‘endangered’ in its first assessment in 1990 to ‘vulnerable’ in 1994. However, the species’ status remains ‘endangered’. ‘ since 1996.
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Categories: Trends
Source: newstars.edu.vn