Flora and Fauna of India — Study Notes

Overview

India is one of the world's 17 mega-diverse countries, hosting around 7–8% of all recorded species on just 2.4% of Earth's land area. This diversity stems from varied climatic zones—from the Himalayas to tropical rainforests and deserts. For RRB NTPC General Awareness, you must know the major **national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, endangered species, and flagship wildlife**. Questions typically ask about the location of a park, which animal is protected there, or identification of endangered species. This topic bridges geography, environment and static GK, so expect 2–4 direct questions from national parks, biosphere reserves and endangered fauna.

Mastery means memorising the state-wise distribution of about 15–20 important protected areas, recognising India's key endangered species (both IUCN Red List and Wildlife Protection Act schedules), and understanding India's biodiversity hotspots—Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas. Keep a mental map of which animal is the mascot or key species of which park.

Key Concepts

• **National Parks** are IUCN Category II protected areas where human activity (except tourism and research) is strictly prohibited. India has over 100 national parks; boundaries are defined by an Act of Parliament or State Legislature.
• **Wildlife Sanctuaries** allow limited human activity like grazing and collection of forest produce, but killing or capturing wildlife is banned. India has about 550 wildlife sanctuaries.
• **Biosphere Reserves** are multi-use areas with core zones (strict protection), buffer zones (limited activity) and transition zones (human settlements). India has 18 notified Biosphere Reserves, 12 of which are on UNESCO's World Network.
• **Endangered species** are classified under IUCN categories: Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU). India's Wildlife Protection Act 1972 lists species in Schedules I to V; Schedule I offers maximum protection.
• **Biodiversity hotspots**: India hosts two out of 36 global hotspots—Western Ghats & Sri Lanka, and Indo-Burma (includes Eastern Himalayas and Northeast). These are defined by high endemism and significant habitat loss.
• **Project Tiger** (1973) and **Project Elephant** (1992) are flagship conservation programmes. As of 2023, India has 53 tiger reserves under Project Tiger.
• **Endemic species** are found only in India or specific regions within India. Examples: Lion-tailed Macaque (Western Ghats), Sangai deer (Manipur), Nilgiri Tahr (Western Ghats).
• **Migratory species**: Siberian cranes (now extinct in India), Amur falcons (Nagaland), flamingos (Rann of Kutch, Chilika) and bar-headed geese (wetlands) come seasonally; protected under international conventions like CMS and Ramsar.

Formulas / Key Facts

1. **India's biodiversity rank**: 7th in mammals, 9th in birds, 5th in reptiles and amphibians. 2. **Total Protected Areas (approx.)**: 106 National Parks, 566 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 18 Biosphere Reserves (as of 2023). 3. **UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Natural)**: 7 — Kaziranga, Keoladeo, Manas, Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers, Sundarbans, Western Ghats, Great Himalayan National Park. 4. **Project Tiger**: Launched 1973; 53 tiger reserves; mascot species: Bengal Tiger (Schedule I). 5. **Project Elephant**: Launched 1992; focus on 32 elephant reserves; Asian Elephant (Schedule I). 6. **Asiatic Lion**: Found **only** in Gir National Park, Gujarat. Schedule I, Critically Endangered. 7. **One-Horned Rhinoceros**: Kaziranga (Assam), Manas (Assam), Jaldapara (West Bengal), Orang (Assam). Schedule I, Vulnerable. 8. **Snow Leopard**: High-altitude Himalayas (Ladakh, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim); Schedule I, Vulnerable. 9. **Great Indian Bustard**: Critically Endangered; primarily Desert National Park (Rajasthan). Schedule I. 10. **Ganges River Dolphin**: National Aquatic Animal; Schedule I, Endangered; found in Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river systems. 11. **Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve**: First biosphere reserve in India (1986), includes Mudumalai, Bandipur, Nagarhole. 12. **Western Ghats**: Biodiversity hotspot; endemic species include Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Tahr, Malabar Civet.