• Wildlife in India includes animals, birds, and insects living in forests.
• India has a wide range of habitat types that are responsible for a large variety of wildlife.
• India boasts of more than 80,000 species of animals which is about 6.5% of the world’s total species.
• Indian fauna includes about 6,500 invertebrates, 5,000 molluscs, 2,546 species of fishes, 2,000 species of birds, and 458 species of reptiles, 4 species of panthers, and over 60,000 species of insects.
• The elephant is the largest Indian mammal, and there are about 14,000 elephants in India.
• The one-horned rhinoceros is India’s second-largest mammal, and there are less than 1,500 rhinoceroses in India.
• The Arna or wild buffalo is found in Assam and in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.
• The gaur or the Indian bison is one of the largest existing bovine and is found in the forests of Central India.
• Tigers in India are mainly found in the forests of eastern Himalayan foothills and in parts of peninsular India.
• Asiatic lions are living in Gujarat’s Gir forests.
• Brown, Black, and Sloth Bear are found at high altitudes in the north-western and central Himalayas.
• Yak, the ox of snow, is largely found in Ladakh and is tamed to be used as a draught animal.
• Several species of monkeys and langur are found in almost all the forest areas of India.
• India has more than 200 species or subspecies of snakes, the best known being the Cobra, Krait, and Russel’s Viper.
• The Blunt Nosed or Marsh Crocodile (the Magar or Mugger) and the long-nosed Gharial are important large-sized reptiles.
• India has about 2,000 species of birds which is about three times the number of species found in Europe.
• Aquatic birds include a large variety of storks, herons, ducks, flamingoes, egrets, and cormorants.
• Ground birds (Gallinaceous birds): The Great Indian Bustard, peafowl, jungle fowl, quail, and partridge are the main ground birds.
• Arboreal birds (tree-dwelling): mynas, pigeons, parakeets, doves, cuckoos, rollers, beaters, etc. are other important birds.

Preservation of Wildlife

• Indian Board for Wildlife constituted in 1952 to advise the government on wildlife conservation, protection, and promoting public awareness.
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 adopted by all states to govern wildlife conservation and protect endangered species.
• Project Tiger launched in 1973 to conserve tigers. India now has 2,967 tigers in the wild (2018 census).
• Project Elephant launched in 1992 to conserve elephants. Elephant population in India showing a stable trend.
• Crocodile Breeding Project initiated in 1974 for sanctuary development.
• National Wildlife Action Plan provides the framework for wildlife conservation.
• National Parks are relatively large areas protected and managed by the government for scientific, educational, and recreational purposes.
• Wildlife Sanctuaries are dedicated to protecting wildlife, prohibiting killing and capturing, regulating livestock, and restricting hunting.
• Biosphere Reserves are unique ecosystems recognized by UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) program with objectives of conservation, development, and logistic support.

Measures of conserving wildlife

• The following measures can prove effective tools for conserving wildlife:
  • Ban on hunting should be strictly implemented.
  • More national parks and wildlife sanctuaries should be established.
  • Existing national parks and sanctuaries should be further developed and more amenities should be provided in them.
  • Captive breeding of wildlife should be encouraged.
  • Adequate medical facilities should be provided in national parks and sanctuaries for the wildlife so that their health is improved.
  • Proper conditions should be created for the living and breeding of wild fauna in the national parks and sanctuaries.