International Biodiversity Day: India’s tale of triumphs and trials

An ongoing battle to save rare species

India's natural landscape is home to an extraordinary range of wildlife, from majestic tigers and rare rhinos to critically endangered birds. While conservation efforts have led to inspiring recoveries for some species, there has been equally dramatic deterioration in the situation of many others that continue to struggle.

India is a country with vast and varied landscapes, from towering mountains and wide plains to dense forests and long coastlines, it has it all. It is also home to many rivers and freshwater lakes, which help support a rich and diverse range of ecosystems and wildlife.

However, over the years, this rich natural heritage has come under threat. Factors such as global warming, climate change, deforestation and harmful human activities have led to a serious decline in wildlife populations. Sustained loss of natural habitats is one of the major challenges facing India’s biodiversity today.

As of the most recent data available in 2022, India has 73 species classified as ‘critically endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an organisation mandated by the United Nations to monitor global biodiversity. The critically endangered list includes nine mammals, 18 birds, 26 reptiles and 20 amphibians.

Despite these threats, dedicated conservation efforts have helped some endangered species recover. Yet, many others remain at risk, highlighting the urgent need for continued focus and action to protect India’s wildlife and natural environment.

Olive Ridley Turtles

India’s eastern coast, particularly Odisha’s Rushikulya Beach, witnesses one of the world’s largest mass nesting events of Olive Ridley turtles.

In 2025, a record 698,698 turtles nested at this site, surpassing previous records and highlighting the success of conservation measures such as beach protection and awareness campaigns.

Conservation efforts for Olive Ridley turtles include protecting nesting grounds, regulating fishing activities and raising public awareness. Key initiatives include designating protected areas, mandating Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) and coordinating with local communities to minimise human disturbance during nesting seasons.

Asiatic Lions

Once on the brink of extinction, the Asiatic lion population in Gujarat’s Gir Forest has seen a remarkable increase.

From barely 284 in 1990 to 674 in 2020, the population is now projected to reach around 900 in 2025, owing to dedicated conservation efforts and habitat management.

Indian Rhinoceros

The Indian rhinoceros, primarily found in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, has experienced a steady population increase.

From 2,577 individuals in 2006, the population rose to 4,014 by 2022. Kaziranga alone is home to over 2,600 of these majestic creatures, reflecting the success of anti-poaching measures and habitat conservation.

Tigers

India has successfully doubled its tiger population from 1,706 in 2010 to approximately 3,682 in 2022 due to effective conservation measures, according to a study published by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

The study attributes this success to efforts in protecting tigers from poaching and habitat loss, securing adequate prey, and improving the living standards of communities located near tiger habitats.

While conservation efforts in India have led to remarkable recoveries for several species wildlife populations in other regions continue to decline sharply. For instance, the Kashmir stag, or Hangul, has seen its population shrink drastically, from several thousand in the mid-20th century to just 289 in 2023, as reported by the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Protection Department.

Devastating declines

Thanks to well-planned and managed conservation efforts, some species have managed to stave off extinction, but many others have seen their numbers continue to decline dramatically, reaching close to extinct or going extinct.

Vultures

One of the worst sufferers of the biodiversity loss in India are its vultures that have faced a dramatic decline with the vulture population experiencing an unprecedented decline, with numbers plummeting by up to 99.9 pc for some species.

The white-rumped vulture population has dropped by 67 pc and the slender-billed vulture by a staggering 89 pc compared to their populations in 2002.

Great Indian Bustard

Once common in dry grasslands, the Great Indian bustard is now critically endangered. With fewer than 150 individuals remaining, habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and collisions with power lines pose significant threats to their survival.

Snow Leopards

The snow leopard population in India has declined to approximately 500 individuals. Habitat encroachment, poaching for their pelts and retaliatory killings by herders have contributed to their endangered status.

Vegetation and Endemic Flora  

India’s natural vegetation plays a crucial role in supporting biodiversity and combating climate change. As of 2023, forest and tree cover together account for 25.17 pc of the country’s geographical area, according to the Forest Survey of India. This includes 21.76 pc forest cover and 3.41 pc tree cover. Dense forests make up nearly half of this forested area, storing over 7 billion tonnes of carbon and helping absorb greenhouse gases.

However, vegetation health is under pressure from climate change, deforestation, and land degradation. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns have affected forest growth and photosynthesis, especially in the Northeast, Peninsular India, and the Western Ghats.

Between 2011 and 2021, India lost nearly 93,000 sq km of forest cover, partly due to industrial activities and frequent forest fires, notably in states like Uttarakhand and Odisha.

India is also home to a rich variety of endemic plant species, many of which are found in biodiversity hotspots like the Himalayas, Western Ghats and Indo-Burma regions. About 28 pc of India’s over 15,000 recorded plant species are endemic, found nowhere else on the Earth.

Studies using predictive models have shown that by 2050, many of these plants may experience a reduction in their suitable habitats, with some shifting to cooler regions in the north or south. For instance, in the Himalayas, species like the Himalayan pine have been observed moving upwards by 11 to 54 m per decade due to rising temperatures.

Additionally, human activities such as over-logging, mining and urbanisation further exacerbate the challenges faced by these plants. Conservation efforts, including habitat protection and assisted migration, are essential to mitigate these impacts and preserve India’s unique plant heritage.

Plant species showing signs of recovery

Cycas beddomei, Eastern Ghats

A threatened palm-like plant successfully propagated through conservation programmes.

Podocarpus wallichianus, Western Himalayas

A rare conifer species, now monitored under protected forest areas.

Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Eastern Himalayas

A medicinal herb being cultivated under sustainable harvesting models to prevent overexploitation.

Saussurea costus, Himalayan region

Once heavily harvested, it is now being protected through habitat restoration and controlled trade.

Plant species in decline

Cinnamomum travancoricum, Western Ghats

Critically endangered due to habitat destruction and forest fragmentation.

Elaphoglossum beddomei, Western Ghats

Endangered fern species affected by deforestation and climate shifts.

Impatiens gordonii, Nilgiris

A rare flowering plant with a shrinking habitat due to warming temperatures.

Eulophia cullenii, Southern India

A terrestrial orchid under threat from land-use change and collection.

Rheum nobile, Trans-Himalayan region

A high-altitude species vulnerable to rising temperatures and changing snow patterns.