|
Tigers corner most of the government’s conservation efforts and funds, and media attention, but as many as 687 species (up from 659 in 2008) of animals and plants face extinction in India. Around the globe, over a third of species assessed as part of an IUCN international biodiversity study are now threatened with extinction
India is one of the ten countries in the world with the largest number of endangered species -- a dubious distinction conferred on it a year before the world observes International Year of Biodiversity. Under serious threat in India are around 96 mammals, 67 birds, 25 reptiles, 64 varieties of fish, 213 invertebrates and 217 species of plants, says the latest report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Adding to India’s worries is the fact that 24 of the 28 new endangered species on the latest list are varieties of fish. This reflects the poor state of the country’s polluted waterbodies. Around the world, over a third, or 17,291 out of 47,677 species assessed as part of the IUCN international biodiversity study, are threatened with extinction. These include 21% of all known mammals, 30% of all known amphibians, and 12% of all known birds, say the researchers. Further, 70% of plants, 28% of reptiles, 37% of freshwater fish, and 35% of invertebrates assessed so far are under threat. Admittedly, that’s a slight improvement over last year when only 38% of species assessed were classified as threatened. That’s because 16,928 species out of 44,828 were threatened, so there are actually an extra 363 species in trouble. “The scientific evidence of a serious extinction crisis is mounting,” says Jane Smart, director of the IUCN’s Biodiversity Conservation Group. “The latest analysis of the IUCN Red List shows the 2010 target to reduce biodiversity loss will not be met,” she adds. Environmentalists say extinction of species is serious cause for concern as, apart from loss of the species as a biological entity, it leads to destabilisation of an ecosystem, endangering other species. According to the IUCN, amphibians constitute the most seriously affected group of organisms on the planet, with 1,895 of the 6,285 known species listed as threatened. The Red List, regarded as the most authoritative assessment of the state of the planet’s species, draws on the work of thousands of scientists around the world. It is updated at least once every year. “It’s time for governments to start getting serious about saving species and make sure it’s high on their agendas for next year, as we are rapidly running out of time,” the IUCN says in a press note. Source: DNA, November 9, 2009
PTI, November 8, 2009
BBC, November 8, 2009
nature.com, November 2009
|
