On Day 17, your focus is on one of the most crucial topics in Environment & Ecology:
✅ Biodiversity & Conservation – Understanding biodiversity, its types, importance, threats, and conservation strategies.
This topic is highly relevant for UPSC Prelims (GS Paper 1), and questions frequently appear from India’s biodiversity hotspots, protected areas, and international conventions.
🌿 Topic 1: Understanding Biodiversity
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms on Earth, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and ecosystems. It is measured at three levels:
1️⃣ Levels of Biodiversity
| Type | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic Diversity | Variation in genes within a species | Different varieties of rice, wheat, and dog breeds |
| Species Diversity | Variety of species in an ecosystem | Amazon Rainforest has high species diversity |
| Ecosystem Diversity | Variety of ecosystems in a region | Deserts, forests, wetlands, coral reefs |
2️⃣ Importance of Biodiversity
🌱 Ecological Balance – Maintains food chains and nutrient cycles.
💊 Medicinal Value – Many medicines (e.g., quinine, aspirin) are derived from plants.
🌾 Agricultural Benefits – Pollination, soil fertility, pest control.
💰 Economic Benefits – Tourism, fisheries, forestry.
🌍 Climate Regulation – Forests absorb CO₂ and regulate rainfall.
3️⃣ Biodiversity Hotspots
Biodiversity hotspots are regions rich in biodiversity but under severe threat.
✅ India has 4 out of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots:
1️⃣ Himalayas – Rich in endemic species like Snow Leopard, Red Panda.
2️⃣ Indo-Burma Region – Home to Asian Elephants, One-horned Rhino.
3️⃣ Western Ghats – Endemic species like Malabar Civet, Lion-tailed Macaque.
4️⃣ Sundaland (including Andaman & Nicobar Islands) – Dugongs, Nicobar Megapode.
🔗 Reference Link: Biodiversity Hotspots – Conservation International
🔥 Topic 2: Threats to Biodiversity
Biodiversity is declining rapidly due to several anthropogenic and natural factors:
🔴 1. Habitat Destruction – Deforestation, urbanization, mining.
🔴 2. Climate Change – Rising temperatures, habitat loss, coral bleaching.
🔴 3. Pollution – Industrial waste, plastic pollution, oil spills.
🔴 4. Poaching & Over-exploitation – Illegal hunting, wildlife trade.
🔴 5. Invasive Species – Introduction of non-native species harming native biodiversity.
📌 Example: Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is an invasive species choking Indian water bodies.
🔗 Reference Link: IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity
🛡️ Topic 3: Conservation of Biodiversity
1️⃣ In-Situ Conservation (On-Site Protection)
🌳 Protected Areas in India:
✅ National Parks (106 in India) – No human activity allowed.
✅ Wildlife Sanctuaries (567 in India) – Some human activity permitted.
✅ Biosphere Reserves (18 in India) – Conservation + Sustainable use.
✅ Sacred Groves – Forest patches protected by local communities (e.g., Khasi Hills, Meghalaya).
🌍 International Initiatives:
✅ World Heritage Sites (UNESCO) – Kaziranga, Sundarbans.
✅ Ramsar Convention (Wetland Conservation) – Chilika Lake, Keoladeo National Park.
🔗 Reference Link: National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
2️⃣ Ex-Situ Conservation (Off-Site Protection)
🏛️ Zoos & Botanical Gardens – E.g., Indian Botanical Garden, Kolkata.
💉 Gene Banks & Seed Banks – National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), Delhi.
🐅 Captive Breeding Programs – Project Tiger, Project Elephant.
📌 Your Study Tasks for Day 17
✅ Read Shankar IAS – Chapter on Biodiversity & Conservation.
✅ Go through NCERT Class 12 Biology – Chapter on Biodiversity.
✅ Solve 10-15 MCQs from previous UPSC papers on biodiversity.
✅ Write a short note (100 words) on India’s conservation efforts.
💪 Moral Strength for Your UPSC Journey
🌟 “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
You are building momentum day by day. Success in UPSC is not about intelligence, but persistence. Every day, you are getting closer to your dream of becoming a civil servant.
🚀 Stay consistent!
- Read, revise, and practice daily.
- Eliminate self-doubt – YOU CAN DO IT!
- Your future self will thank you for the hard work you put in today.
🔥 Believe in your efforts, and success will follow! 💙💪✨