The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are known for their rich biodiversity and ecological significance. Examine the major threats to biodiversity in this region, including deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and climate change. Discuss the impact of these threats on ...
Major Threats to Biodiversity in the Western Ghats 1. Deforestation Intensive deforestation for agricultural and plantation crops and infrastructure building has largely destroyed forests in the Western Ghats. - Effect: Destruction of the habitats of some endemic species like the Lion-tailed macaqueRead more
Major Threats to Biodiversity in the Western Ghats
1. Deforestation
Intensive deforestation for agricultural and plantation crops and infrastructure building has largely destroyed forests in the Western Ghats.
– Effect: Destruction of the habitats of some endemic species like the Lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri Tahr.
2. Habitat Fragmentation
Urbanization and the highway network isolate parts of the habitat into fragmented sections, severing wildlife population pockets from one another.
Impact: It lowers the genetic diversity of species and raises their risk to extinction.
3. Climate Change
Temperature and precipitation variations break the subtle balance of an ecosystem.
– Impact: Affects species like amphibians and high-altitude flora, which are highly sensitive to climatic changes.
Pollution’s Impact on Water Bodies in India
Sources of Water Pollution
1. Industrial Wastes: Non-treated wastewater laced with metallic and chemical contamination.
2. Pesticide usage along with chemical-based fertilizers and subsequent runoff within the rivers and lakes.
3. House waste: With the presence of the inefficiently treated sewages; water is thus experiencing organic as well as microbial pollutions.
Regulatory Instruments
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 – Provides the framework on controlling water pollution.
National Ganga River Basin Authority – The Authority is for river cleaning and rejuvenation. It lacks the elements of effective enforcement, insufficient infrastructures of treatments, and lack of proper coordination among various agencies. I
nnovative Solutions for Sustainability
1. Bioremediation: Afforestation and the use of microorganisms to clean water.
2. Decentralized Treatment Systems: Community-based activities for wastewater treatments.
3. Circular Economy Practices: Recycling industrial and domestic wastes for reuse in factories.
4. Implementation of Technology: IoT-based sensors for real-time monitoring of water quality.
Conclusion
Protecting biodiversity in the Western Ghats and addressing India’s issues of water pollution require an integrated approach. Balancing ecological conservation with developmental needs, involving community participation, and using technology can sustain resilient ecosystems for a very long time.
The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, face critical threats that jeopardize its biodiversity, including deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and climate change. Deforestation, driven by logging, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development, leads to substantial habitat loss andRead more
The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, face critical threats that jeopardize its biodiversity, including deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and climate change. Deforestation, driven by logging, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development, leads to substantial habitat loss and fragmentation. This disrupts the migratory paths and breeding grounds of endemic species like the Lion-tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Tahr. Climate change further complicates these challenges by altering rainfall patterns and temperatures, impacting species distributions and ecosystem functions.
These threats undermine essential ecosystem services such as water purification, soil erosion control, and carbon sequestration. The decline in habitat quality and the disruption of ecological processes adversely affect both species survival and human well-being.
Current conservation efforts, including the creation of protected areas and community-based conservation programs, have had mixed results. While these initiatives have helped, issues such as insufficient funding, inadequate enforcement, and conflicting developmental pressures persist.
To enhance protection, a comprehensive strategy is needed. Strengthening and expanding protected areas, enforcing conservation laws, and increasing financial investment are crucial. Integrating conservation with sustainable development through initiatives like eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and habitat restoration can help balance ecological preservation with economic needs. Promoting climate adaptation strategies, such as restoring wildlife corridors and implementing adaptive management, will further support biodiversity conservation in the Western Ghats.
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