Endangered Species of India

Introduction

The rapid growth of the human population and urbanization is driving the extinction of many species of animals in India. According to a 2020 study, more than 500 animal species on earth are on the verge of extinction and many of them are from India. Here are the nine most endangered species of animals that are threatened for survival in India.

What are Endangered Species?

Endangered species are the species that have a threat of extinction. If proper conservation methods are not applied, they may vanish from the planet. These species are available but their survival is in danger. The survival of these species is difficult if the factors that have led to the rapid decline of the species are not eliminated. A large group of endangered species is monitored by NGOs and governments to save them from extinction. Thereby, it is possible to save endangered species with proper care and implementation of laws.

Endangered Species in India

Here are the nine of the most endangered species in India:

Bengal Tigers

The Bengal Tigers that are actually found in the West Bengal state of India have a 70% density of population in India. These big cats can adapt to living conditions of wetlands, forests, and mangroves and they can bear hot and cold temperatures. But, the heavy growth of the urban population leading to the destruction of their habitat is making Bengal Tigers one of the most endangered species with only 2,000 tigers left in the wild. The mighty tigers now live in only 7% of their historical habitat range and this calls for conservation efforts by both government and the general public.

Asiatic Lion

Image 1: An Asiatic Lion

The Asiatic lion is found in southeast Asia to eastern India and it is smaller than its African counterparts. The entire population of these lions has now been limited to the Gir National Park in the state of Gujarat in India. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Asiatic Lions in the endangered species category as only 500 to 650 individuals of them are left in the world. Many farmers near the habitats of Asiatic Lions use crude and illegal electrical fencing to protect their crops which entangle with the freely roaming lions while open wells dug by the farmers for cultivation also become the reason for the drowning of the lions leading to a considerable decrease in the lions’ population.

Snow Leopards

Image 2: Snow leopard

The Snow Leopards once had a much larger natural habitat across the mountain ranges of Asia but now their population is confined to the states of Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the eastern and western Himalayas. Poaching for its pelt and body parts has left the species endangered and only 500 to 600 members of the species are currently alive. Human interference in their natural habitats and rivalry with remote communities are driving the decrease in the Leopard population. Moreover, a rapid decline of their prey due to increasing domestic livestock is driving the species to the verge of extinction.

One−horned Rhinoceros

Image 3: An one−horned rhinoceros with a baby rhinoceros

One−horned rhinoceros is native only to northeastern India and the foothills of the Himalayas. It is heavily poached for its horn which is alleged to have medicinal properties. The species also face danger due to human conflict in the flooding season as floods lead them to leave their habitats and come to the higher grounds outside the national parks where they are conserved. These factors have driven the species to the verge of extinction and there were only 200 members left at the start of the 20th century. However, a well−knitted conservation effort that can be termed one of the most successful in history has brought back the population of the species to 3,700 in the national parks of northeastern India and Terrai grasslands of Nepal.

Indian Antelope

Image 4: An Indian antelope stag at the grasslands

The Indian antelope or the blackbuck is heavily poached for its pelts and this is the reason why the species has turned into one of the most endangered species of India. In 1947, the population of blackbucks was 80,000 in India which went down to 25,00 within a stretch of 20 years. The blackbuck population is threatened by stray dogs, pesticides, and moving vehicles in their habitats which are leading the species to the verge of extinction. Although conservation efforts are ongoing to save the species, human−animal conflict and loss of natural habitat are leading the way to the loss of the population of the blackbucks in heavy numbers.

Lion−Tailed Macaque

Image 5: Lion−tailed macaque with baby

The lion−tailed macaque native to the western ghats of southern India which is recognizable due to its silver white mane around the neck is also one of the most endangered species the population of which has dwindled to 4,000. Human−animal conflicts, deforestation, and roadkills are leading the way to its extinction as humans destroy the canopies of rainforests that are natural habitats of these shy animals. It is projected that the population of the species would decline by more than 20% in the next 25 years. The loss of population of the species needs immediate intervention for conservation and this may need stopping deforestation for urban developments and human activities to clean the forests.

Resplendent Tree Frog

This special tree frog has a unique orange hue and several big glands on its body were discovered in 2010 at the Anamudi summit in Kerala which is the only native habitat of the species. The current population of the species is about 300 which asks for more conservation efforts to save the beautiful species from going extinct. These frogs are now available in the Eravikulam National Park of Kerala.

Kashmiri Red Stag

The Kashmiri Red Stag is also listed as a critically endangered species by IUCN. It is also one of the top 15 species of high conservation priority by the government of India. In 1970, the population of the Kashmiri Red Stag was around 5,000 which reduced dramatically to 150 in 1990 and to around 110−130 in 2015. Land encroachment for grazing, habitat fragmentation, and a low female population in comparison to the males are the main reasons for the lowering population of the species. There are several ongoing conservation efforts in place to save the species from going extinct.

Nilgiri Tahr

Image 6: Nilgiri Tahr

Originally native to the Nilgiri hills, the Nilgiri Tahr has only 2,500 to 3,000 individual members left in the world now. Habit loss and climate change are the main reasons for the depleting population of this species. This species is also poached heavily and it is now confined to the habitats of Tamil Nadu and Kerala which is now 10% of the original habitat of the species earlier. The increase in global temperature is a big threat to the survival of the species which needs conservation efforts to save it from extinction.

Conclusion

The endangered species need enough conservation efforts to save them from going extinct because their extinction may pose a threat to the balance of the world's ecosystem. Knowing the species that are endangered can also let the general public and governments provide special treatment to these species so that they can survive and thrive in their natural environments. It should be a top priority of one and all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Qns 1. For which animal species in India have the conservation efforts shown the most success?

Ans. The most success has been shown in the conservation efforts of the one−horned rhinoceros which has brought back the population to 3,700 from 200 at the start of the 20th century.

Qns 2. What is one of the common threats to the extinction of endangered species in India?

Ans. Human interference cum conflict is one of the common reasons for the threat of extinction of endangered species in India.

Qns 3. Where can the resplendent tree frog be found?

Ans. The resplendent tree frog can be found only at the Annamudi summit of the Eravikulam National Park of Kerala.