Biodiversity is a highly scoring topic in both Prelims and Mains (GS 3). The concept of ‘Biodiversity Hotspots’ was introduced by Norman Myers in 1988.
What makes a region a Biodiversity Hotspot?
To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria:
- Species Endemism: It must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (> 0.5% of the world’s total) as endemics (species found nowhere else on Earth).
- Degree of Threat: It must have lost at least 70% of its original native habitat.
The 4 Biodiversity Hotspots in India
- The Himalayas: Encompasses the entire Indian Himalayan region (and extending to Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Myanmar). Famous for species like the Snow Leopard and One-horned Rhinoceros.
- Indo-Burma Region: Includes the entire North-Eastern India, except Assam and Andaman group of Islands (and Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and southern China).
- The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka: Runs along the western coast of India. It has exceptionally high levels of endemism in amphibians and reptiles. The Lion-tailed Macaque is a flagship species here.
- Sundaland: Includes the Nicobar group of Islands (and Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines).
Prelims Trap: UPSC often confuses aspirants by listing ‘Assam’ or ‘Andaman Islands’ as part of the Indo-Burma hotspot. Remember, Andaman is part of Indo-Burma, but Nicobar falls under Sundaland!
Previous Year Question (PYQ)
UPSC Prelims 2010: Consider the following statements:
1. Biodiversity hotspots are located only in tropical regions.
2. India has four biodiversity hotspots i.e., Eastern Himalayas, Western Himalayas, Western Ghats and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
(Answer: d – Hotspots are not just in tropics, and the given list of Indian hotspots is incorrect as per criteria.)