Conservation of Biodiversity- Definition & Methods

Conservation of Biodiversity: We know that our planet is home to various plants and animal species, including human beings. Healthy biodiversity constantly forms a healthy ecosystem. But in the modern era, due to reduction of space, loss of habitat, hunting of animals, deforestation, climate change, pollution, and over-exploitation by humans, the ecosystem is under threat. These factors are the reason for the extinction of many living species from earth. As the human population derives many benefits from biodiversity, it is our moral duty to preserve biodiversity and create a healthy ecosystem for future generations. Conservation of biodiversity is significant for a healthy and functional ecosystem.

Conservation of Biodiversity Definition

The protection, preservation and management of biodiversity so as to maintain it at its optimum level and derive sustainable benefits for the present as well as future strategies is known as Conservation of Biodiversity. Biodiversity conservation ensures the protection and preservation of species diversity and sustainable management of species and ecosystems.
“We should preserve every scrap of biodiversity as priceless while we learn to use it and come to understand what it means to humanity” – E.O. Wilson.

What are the Objectives of Conservation of Biodiversity?

Conservation of biodiversity is all about the protection and preservation of biodiversity. The main objectives of conservation of biodiversity are given below:

1. To preserve the genetic diversity of plants and animals.
2. To take up research in the field of biological diversity and ecosystem management for sustainable development.
3. To manage in-situ and ex-situ conservation of rare, endangered (RET) species in different ecological zones.

What are the Different Types of Conservation of Biodiversity?

There are two types of Biodiversity Conservation. They are In-situ and Ex-situ conservation.

Fig: Types of Conservation of Biodiversity

(A) In-situ Conservation of biodiversity (Onsite)

It is the conservation and protection of all endangered species in the ecosystem at all levels within their natural habitat. The natural ecosystem is protected and maintained through this method.

Advantages of In-situ conservation

The advantages of In-situ conservations are as follows:

1. . In-situ conservation of biodiversity is less expensive because species are preserved in their natural habitats.
2. Many species can be protected and preserved simultaneously.
3. The development and evolution of species in their natural ecosystem take place in a better way as they can adjust to different environmental conditions more easily.
   In-situ conservation takes place in National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves and Sacred Groves.

(a) National Parks

The National Parks are small parks managed, created and protected by the government which are used for the conservation of species. In these parks, human activities are prohibited. Some examples of national parks in India are:

(b) Wildlife Sanctuaries

The Wildlife Sanctuary is an area where wild animals and plant species are protected. These are also under the control of development, but some human activity such as timber harvesting, cultivation, wood collection and other forest products are allowed in these areas without any interference to conservation projects. These are places of attraction and visited by tourists. Some examples of wildlife sanctuaries in India are:

(c) Biosphere Reserves

Biosphere reserves are areas developed and maintained by the locals for the sustainable development and protection of wildlife, plants, and the ecosystem. It includes the ecosystem of both land and marine. In these reserves, tourism and research activities are permitted. Some examples of biosphere reserves in India are:

(d) Sacred Groves

Sacred grooves are a special area of a forest with all the trees and wildlife venerated and given total protection by a deity. They contribute to the preservation of our country’s biodiversity. These sacred groves are self-sustaining mini-ecosystems, and no one is permitted to cut any tree or plant, kill animals and birds, or harm any form of life in this area. These are found in several parts of India.

1. Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya
2. Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan
3. Western Ghat regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra
4. Sarguja, Chanda and Baster areas of Madhya Pradesh
5. Nagabanas (serpent abodes), Boothasthaanas (Devi abodes) etc.
6. Kavus of Kerala

Fig: Sacred Groves in India

(B) Ex-situ Conservation of Biodiversity (Onsite)

In this type of conservation, preservation and protection of species take place away from their natural ecosystem. In Ex-situ conservation, the endangered species are shifted to a new habitat for their breeding and protection, including the conservation of genetic resources.

Advantages of Ex-situ conservation

The advantages of Ex-situ conservations are as follows:

1. In ex-situ conservation, organisms are completely secured from predation and poaching.
2. Ex-situ conservation helps in monitoring the health of individual organisms. According to that, medical assistance is also given as required.
3. In ex-situ conservation, modern reproductive technology can be used, which increases the chances of reproductive success.
   Ex-situ conservation takes place in zoological parks, botanical gardens, seed banks and field gene banks.

(a) Zoological Parks

Zoological parks are places where animals are shifted from their natural habitat for protection and breeding. It is a place where the public is allowed to visit and see these animals. Some examples of zoological parks in India are:

(b) Botanical Gardens

It is a place where species of living plants are kept. It is more like a display garden of various plant species. They help in the promotion, study, and conservation of endangered plant species. Some examples of botanical gardens in India are:

(c) Gene Banks

They are institutes that maintain stocks of viable seeds (seed bank), live growing plants (orchards), tissue culture and frozen germplasm with the whole range of genetic variability.

(d) Cryopreservation

The method through which live cells, tissues, organelles, or any other biological samples are preserved in deepze at a low temperature of -\({196^0}{\rm{C}}\) is called Cryopreservation.

How can we Protect and Conserve Biodiversity?

Biodiversity conversation is very important for the present and future generations for sustainable growth. The methods to be used for biodiversity conservation are mentioned below:

1. Agricultural food products, timber plants, livestock, and agricultural animals should be conserved.
2. Animals with economical values should be preserved.
3. Alternative habitats should be created for animals.
4. Overexploitation of natural resources should be prevented.
5. Poaching and hunting wild animals should be illegal.
6. Natural reserves and protected areas should be developed.
7. Deforestation should be prevented, and more trees should be planted.
8. Strict laws should be implemented and followed for the conservation of biodiversity.
9. Alternative ways should be developed to control pollution. Such as the development of electric vehicles.
10. Reuse of waste from industries and other forms.
11. Public awareness should be created to support the conservation of biodiversity.
12. Preservation of endangered species in their natural and artificial habitat so they can be saved from extinction.

Conservation of Biodiversity in India

India is considered a home for many species of plants and animals. But many species in India are endangered or facing the threat of extinction. The government of India has adopted several steps, laws, and policies to prevent this situation and protect the endangered species of animals and plants.

Some of the initiatives and policies of the Indian government are mentioned below:

Project Tiger: The Government of India launched Project Tiger in \(1973\) as the first initiative to protect this species and its habitat. Many natural reserves and national parks were developed to preserve endangered species. Some famous national reserve reserves are Kaziranga in Assam, Bandipur in Karnataka, and Nagarjunsagar Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. Other than that, many strict laws are also implemented to prevent the hunting of tigers.

Crocodile Conservation: Crocodiles in India are mainly hunted for their skin which is used to make various leather products. This brought the species close to extinction. In \(1975\) Government of India initiated The Crocodile Breeding and Conservation Program to protect the remaining population of crocodiles. In this process, crocodile breeding centres were established, and later this project became one of the most successful breeding projects in the country. 

Project Elephant: The Indian Govt launched this project in \(1992\) to protect the elephants who were hunted for their valuable teeth. In this project, elephants were preserved in their natural habitats and many natural reserves; this project is implemented in \(16\) states across \(32\) elephant reserves.

In India, the preservation and breeding of many species are done in Zoos. For example, the breeding of rare Pygmy Hog in Guwahati Zoo and the breeding of Manipur brow-antlered deer in Delhi Zoo.

Few Important Indian Acts adopted by Government of India related to Environment and Biodiversity Conservation:

1. Fisheries Act \(1897\)
2. Indian Forests Act \(1927\)
3. Mining and Mineral Development Regulation Act \(1957\)
4. Prevention of cruelty to animals \(1960\)
5. Wildlife protection act \(1972\)
6. Water (prevention and control of pollution) act \(1974\)
7. Forest Conservation Act \(1980\)
8. Air (prevention and control of pollution) act \(1981\)
9. Environment Protection Act \(1986\)
10. Biological Diversity Act \(2002\)
11. Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers (recognition of rights) act \(2006\)

Importance of Conservation of Biodiversity

Ecological Importance

1. Conservation of biodiversity is important to get pure air and water.
2. It creates habitat and shelter for many animals and native species.
3. It provides healthy soil for agriculture and controls soil erosion.
4. Conservation of biodiversity also helps to preserve many species which are about to go extinct.
5. It prevents deforestation.
6. It helps to control pollution.
7. It also controls sudden climate change.
8. It provides natural beauty to our planet.

Economic Importance

1. It gives us an abundance of food products that are available in the ecosystem.
2. It helps to get timber, honey, rubber etc. and many more products from the ecosystem.
3. It also helps in getting medicines from the ecosystem.
4. It plays an important role in the development of tourism.
5. It controls the exploitation of natural resources.
6. It helps in getting resources for construction.
7. It helps in agricultural development.

Summary

Conservation of biodiversity is important for a healthy and functional ecosystem. It is all about protecting, uplifting, and scientific management of biodiversity to maintain its optimal level and derive sustainable benefits for the present and future generations. For biodiversity conservation, there are two strategies – in situ and ex-situ. Conservation of biodiversity is crucial for the growth of all species. It is essential for humans also as they derive many ecological and economic benefits from this ecosystem. To ensure a healthy ecosystem, the conservation of biodiversity is a must.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Conservation of Biodiversity

Q.1. What do you understand by Biodiversity?
Ans: Biodiversity means varieties of species of plants and animals present in an ecosystem.

Q.2. What is meant by Biodiversity Conservation?
Ans: Biodiversity Conservation refers to protection, preservation and scientific management used in the development of various species in the ecosystem.

Q.3. How do we conserve biodiversity?
Ans: We can conserve biodiversity by protecting endangered species, preventing deforestation, preventing hunting of animals, controlling pollution, and preventing overexploitation of natural resources.

Q.4. Why should we conserve biodiversity?
Ans: Biodiversity should be conserved as it provides us with several economic and ethical benefits and adds aesthetic value. We get food, pure water and pure air and many natural resources from the ecosystem. Conservation of biodiversity is very important for a healthy ecosystem and the sustainable development of living species.

Q.5. What are the types of biodiversity conservation?
Ans: There are two types of biodiversity conservation In-situ conservation and Ex-situ conservation.