Biodiversity In India

• India is one of the world's 12 mega-diverse countries.
• Despite covering only about 2.4% of the world's land area, India accounts for an estimated 60–70% of global biodiversity.
• This exceptional richness arises from India's wide range of climatic zones – from the snow-capped Himalayas to tropical rainforests, deserts, and coastlines.

India's vegetation is classified into eight major floristic regions based on climate and topography.

• India ranks 10th in the world and 4th in Asia for plant diversity.
• Approximately 47,000 plant species have been recorded, including nearly 15,000 flowering plant species.
• Over 35% of documented plant species are endemic, concentrated mainly in the Himalayas and Peninsular India.
• India is recognised as a centre of origin for several cultivated plants.

• India hosts approximately 89,451 recorded animal species.
• Insects form the largest group among these.
• Around 390 mammal species have been documented.

Faunal Examples:

India has a coastline of approximately 7,500 km, supporting rich marine ecosystems.

Key marine habitats include:

• Mangroves
• Coral reefs
• Estuaries
• Lagoons
• Backwaters

Endemic plants and animals in India are concentrated primarily in three biogeographic zones:

1. North-East India
2. Western Ghats
3. Andaman and Nicobar Islands

• India is 1 of 12 mega-diverse countries, holding 60–70% of global biodiversity.
• India has 8 floristic regions, from Western Himalayan conifers to Andaman mangroves.
• India ranks 10th globally / 4th in Asia for plant diversity (~47,000 species; ~15,000 flowering plants).
• Over 35% of plant species are endemic.
• India records ~89,451 animal species, including ~390 mammal species.
• India's coastline (~7,500 km) supports mangroves, coral reefs, estuaries, and lagoons.
• Three major endemism hotspots: Northeast India, Western Ghats, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.