📌 Topics to Cover:
1️⃣ Basics of Ecology & Biodiversity
2️⃣ Levels of Biodiversity
3️⃣ Biodiversity Hotspots in India & World
4️⃣ Protected Area Network in India
5️⃣ National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves
6️⃣ International Conservation Efforts (CBD, Ramsar, CITES, IUCN, etc.)
1️⃣ Basics of Ecology & Biodiversity
🌱 What is Ecology?
- The study of interactions between organisms and their environment.
- It includes biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.
🌍 What is Biodiversity?
- The variety of life forms on Earth.
- Includes plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms.
🔹 Why is Biodiversity Important?
- Maintains ecosystem stability and resilience.
- Provides food, medicine, and climate regulation.
- Helps in pollination, water purification, and nutrient cycling.
2️⃣ Levels of Biodiversity
🔎 Biodiversity is classified into three levels:
- Genetic Diversity – Variation within species (e.g., different rice varieties).
- Species Diversity – Variety of species in an area (e.g., different bird species in a forest).
- Ecosystem Diversity – Different ecosystems (e.g., forests, wetlands, deserts).
📌 UPSC Prelims Focus:
- Understand the difference between Genetic, Species, and Ecosystem Diversity.
- Know India’s rich biodiversity and its hotspots.
3️⃣ Biodiversity Hotspots in India & World
🔥 What are Biodiversity Hotspots?
- Areas with high species richness and endemism (species found only in a particular region) exist.
- To qualify as a hotspot:
- Must have at least 1,500 species of vascular plants.
- Must have lost at least 70% of its original vegetation.
🌎 Four Biodiversity Hotspots in India:
- Himalayas (J&K to Arunachal Pradesh)
- Indo-Burma Region (North-East India)
- Western Ghats (Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu)
- Sundaland (Andaman & Nicobar Islands)
📌 UPSC Prelims Focus:
- Location of hotspots in India.
- Why are hotspots important?
4️⃣ Protected Area Network in India
🛡️ What are Protected Areas?
- Areas set aside for conservation of biodiversity and wildlife protection.
🏞️ Types of Protected Areas in India:
- National Parks – Strictly protected areas (e.g., Kaziranga, Jim Corbett).
- Wildlife Sanctuaries – Less strict than national parks (e.g., Manas, Bharatpur).
- Biosphere Reserves – Includes national parks, sanctuaries + buffer zones (e.g., Nilgiri, Sunderbans).
- Community Reserves – Community-managed areas (e.g., Meghalaya’s sacred groves).
- Conservation Reserves – Areas between two protected regions.
📌 UPSC Prelims Focus:
- Differences between National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Biosphere Reserves.
- Locations of important protected areas.
5️⃣ Important National Parks in India
🏕️ Some UPSC-relevant National Parks:
| National Park | State | Famous For |
|---|---|---|
| Jim Corbett | Uttarakhand | 1st NP of India (Tigers) |
| Kaziranga | Assam | One-Horned Rhinoceros |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal | Bengal Tigers, Mangroves |
| Keoladeo | Rajasthan | Migratory Birds |
| Gir Forest | Gujarat | Asiatic Lions |
| Hemis | Ladakh | Snow Leopards |
| Dachigam | J&K | Kashmiri Stag (Hangul) |
| Great Himalayan | Himachal Pradesh | Snow Leopards, Musk Deer |
📌 UPSC Prelims Focus:
- Location of famous national parks.
- Which species are found in these parks?
6️⃣ International Conservation Efforts
🌍 Major Conservation Agreements:
- CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) – Aims to conserve biodiversity.
- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) – Protects wildlife from illegal trade.
- Ramsar Convention – Conservation of Wetlands.
- IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) – Maintains Red List of endangered species.
- Paris Agreement & Climate Change Policies – Aims to reduce global warming effects.
📌 UPSC Prelims Focus:
- Which international organizations work on biodiversity?
- What is the IUCN Red List?
📚 Recommended Books & Study Materials
- NCERT Class 12 – Biology (Unit on Ecology & Environment)
- Shankar IAS Environment Book (Highly recommended for UPSC Prelims)
- PMF IAS Environment Notes (Available online as PDFs)
- Ministry of Environment Reports (Latest updates)
🔗 Useful Links:
- NCERT Class 12 Biology (Chapter on Biodiversity): NCERT Website
- Shankar IAS Environment Notes – Search online for free resources.
- IUCN Red List: IUCN Website
- Ramsar Wetlands List: Ramsar Website
📝 Practice Questions for Day 15
1. Which of the following are Biodiversity Hotspots in India?
✅ (a) Western Ghats
✅ (b) Deccan Plateau
✅ (c) Indo-Burma Region
✅ (d) Himalayas
(Correct Answer: a, c, d)
2. Consider the following National Parks:
- Kaziranga National Park
- Hemis National Park
- Keoladeo National Park
- Sundarbans National Park
✅ Which of these are Tiger Reserves?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1, 2, and 4
(c) 1, 3, and 4
(d) All of the above
(Correct Answer: b)
💪 Moral Strength & Motivation for UPSC Aspirants
🌿 “Just like a tree withstands storms and grows stronger, your perseverance in this journey will make you unshakable. UPSC is not just an exam; it’s a transformation of mindset, patience, and discipline. Keep going, one step at a time. You are already ahead of those who haven’t started. Believe in yourself, and success will be yours!” 🌿
🔥 Stay Consistent, Stay Focused, Stay Unstoppable! 🔥