Biodiversity Hotspots and Biosphere Reserves of India Notes

India is one of the 17 mega-diverse countries of the world. SSC geography asks the hotspots in India, the biosphere reserves with their states and the conservation projects and laws. This note gives them in a table form.

Biodiversity Hotspots in India

A hotspot has at least 1500 endemic plant species and has lost at least 70 percent of its original habitat. The concept was given by Norman Myers.

Important Biosphere Reserves

Conservation Laws and Projects

• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Project Tiger launched in 1973. Project Elephant in 1992.
• Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and the National Biodiversity Authority at Chennai.
• IUCN Red List classifies species such as endangered and critically endangered.

Quick Tips

• Remember the four hotspots: Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats, Sundaland.
• Nilgiri is the first biosphere reserve (1986).
• Project Tiger is 1973 and the Wildlife Act is 1972.
• Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world.

Quick Revision Points

• India has four biodiversity hotspots.
• Nilgiri was the first biosphere reserve in 1986.
• Project Tiger was launched in 1973.
• Wildlife Protection Act was passed in 1972.
• Project Elephant began in 1992.
• Norman Myers gave the hotspot concept.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. How many biodiversity hotspots are there in India?
   Answer: Four
2. Which was the first biosphere reserve in India?
   Answer: Nilgiri (1986)
3. In which year was Project Tiger launched?
   Answer: 1973
4. In which year was the Wildlife Protection Act passed?
   Answer: 1972
5. In which state is the Sundarbans biosphere reserve?
   Answer: West Bengal
6. Which hotspot includes the Western Ghats?
   Answer: Western Ghats and Sri Lanka
7. In which year was Project Elephant launched?
   Answer: 1992
8. Where is the Great Nicobar biosphere reserve located?
   Answer: Andaman and Nicobar Islands

How to Practise This Chapter

Practise 10 questions every day and write the steps on paper. Then attempt timed sets from our practice papers and the previous year papers page. See all topics on the Indian Geography notes page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a biodiversity hotspot?

A region with many endemic species that has lost most of its original habitat.

Who coined the term hotspot?

Norman Myers.

How many hotspots does India have?

Four.

What is a biosphere reserve?

A protected area for conserving biodiversity and the traditional lifestyle of local people.

Which is the first biosphere reserve?

Nilgiri.

Which law protects wildlife?

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

When was Project Tiger launched?

In 1973.

What is the IUCN Red List?

A list of the conservation status of species.

Where is the National Biodiversity Authority?

Chennai.

Which mangrove forest is the largest?

The Sundarbans.