Essay – The campaign to save endangered species
The campaign to save endangered species Essay: Endangered species can be defined as a group of species that are threatened by the risk of extinction by an accelerated pace of decreasing population or loss of ideal natural habitat. Endangered species include both animals and plants. The International Union for Conservation of Nature, formed in 1994 identifies and classifies three classes of species threatened with extinction. The classifications are ‘Critically Endangered’ (CR), Endangered(EN) and Vulnerable Species (VU).
Discussion
The International Union of Conservation of Nature classifies endangered species by taking into consideration specific criteria to assign conservation status to each species.
Critically Endangered Species (CR) are those that are threatened with extinction by a decreasing population by 80% to 90% over the past ten years or the past three generations. The species classified under this group are only fifty in the population. The ‘Sumatran Orangutan’ is a critically endangered species. Endangered Species (EN) are those species that face the threat of decreasing population by 50% to 70% over the last decade or three generations. The group of species are fewer than fifty in the population. The Sundarban Tigers and Javan Rhinos are examples of endangered species. The Vulnerable Species (VU) include those species facing threats of the decline of the population by 30% to 50% in the past decade or past three generations. The population of these species is fewer than 1000 in contemporary times. Military Macaw is a vulnerable species.
The Union Government of India initiated the Project Tiger Programme under Central Sector Scheme in 1973 by creating nine tiger reserve centres across nine states of India including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Karnataka and West Bengal. Tiger conservation aims at protecting tigers from poaching and conserving their natural habitat besides preserving the biodiversity of a large magnitude. The tiger population has been stable with 4500 tigers in India and its adjoining forest areas in Bhutan and Nepal.
The Crocodile Breeding Project was started in Orissa in April 1975 with the assistance of UNDP. The project extended to other Indian states such as West Bengal and Hyderabad. The project aimed to conserve three main species of crocodiles namely, Gavialis gangeticus, Crocodylus palustrais and the saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus. In addition, the Lesser Cats Project was established in 1976 facilitated with the assistance of the World Wildlife Fund(WWF) in India to conserve four species of wild tigers in particular, such as Felis Bengalensis, Kerr, Felis Marmorta Martin, Felis Lemruinki Vigors Horsefield and Felis Vivereina Bennet found mostly in Sikkim and Northern parts of West Bengal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, wildlife preservation is an essential aspect of governance for it plays an integral role in maintaining the right ecological balance. The prevalence of hunting, poaching and smuggling of animal parts have endangered the existence of several species such as tiger and rhinoceros. India as a nation has taken massive strides to conserve endangered animals as proven by the stable population of tigers.
FAQs
Q1. When was IUNC formed?
Ans: The International Union for Conservation of Nature, formed in 1994 identifies and classifies three classes of species threatened with extinction.
Q2. What are the three groups of classification?
Ans: The classifications are ‘Critically Endangered’ (CR), Endangered(EN) and Vulnerable Species (VU).
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