The rich biodiversity of India is facing threat as a result of large-scale man made landscape modifications and over-exploitation of resources causing loss of degradation of natural ecosystems/habitats. In Jharkhand 36 animal species and 64 plant species are in endangered category.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) For Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar provided the information to the Rajya Sabha on May 9 in reply to a question raised by Rajya Sabha member Parimal Nathwani.
The minister said that Jharkhand has 36 endangered species namely Tiger, Ganges river dolphin, Sloth Bear, Asian Elephant, Indian Giant squirrel, Flying squirrel, Mouse Deer, Marsh Harriers, Darter, White necked stork, Fulvous whistling Duck, Ferruginous pochard, Bengal Florican, Greater Adjutant, lesser Adjutant, Nordmann's Greenshank, Black-bellied Tern, Egyptian Vulture , Red-headed Vulture, Himalayan Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Indian Vulture, Indian Spotted Eagle, Greater Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Green Avadavat, Bristled Grass Warbler, River lapwing, lesser adjutant, River Tern, Oriental white ibis, Black bellied tern, Flap Shell turtles, Crat and Russell Viper.
According to the minister’s statement, the studies conducted by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) revealed that the number of endangered faunal species has increased by 17 in last two years. There were 648 endangered faunal species in the country in 2013, which has increased to 665 in 2015. The number of endangered mammals has increased from 95 to 98, birds from 80 to 88, reptiles from 52 to 53, amphibians from 74 to 75, fishes from 213 to 216, molluses from 6 to 7 in last two years, said the statement.
Nathwani wanted to know about increase in the number of endangered species during the last two years, the names of such species with the areas/regions of their habitation, whether wildlife habitats are being destroyed due to mining activities in the country and the special efforts being made by Government to stop/prevent damage/ destruction of wildlife habitats.
The minister said that as per the data available with the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), out of 19156 species of vascular plants (Angiosperms, Gymnosperms, Pteridophytes) so far recorded from the country, 1236 species belong to different threatened categories like Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable etc. They are threatened due to various anthropogenic and natural factors, he said.
The minister also stated that the threatened plant species endemic to region of Jharkhand include 64 plant species that belong to the families of Fabaceae, Poaceae, Ranunculaceae, Apiaceae, Gentianaceae, Zingiberaceae,Rosaceae, Berberidaceae, Verbenaceae, Oleaceae, Orchidaceae, Droseraceae, Celastraceae, Commelinaceae, Salicaceae, Taccaceae and Violaceae.
According to the statement of the minister, at present Supreme Court has prohibited mining activities within National Parks and Sanctuaries and within 1 km. radius from the boundaries of National Park and Sanctuaries.
