Wildlife conservation strategies and methods are adopted, i.e., flora and fauna. The principal strategy involves in-situ conservation and ex-situ conservation. Let us have a brief discussion about these two strategies-
In-situ Conservation
Conservation of species in their natural habitats- in areas where they occur under normal conditions is called in-situ conservation.
This type of conservation strategy protects the entire area. Such an area is protected and maintained to conserve all the known or unknown species inhabiting it.
In this type of conservation, species are not isolated or provided with health care, food, or mating facilities. Only factors detrimental to species’ existence and development are eliminated in this conservation strategy. Human interference, such as hunting, cutting down trees, collecting firewood, etc., is completely banned in such areas.
In India, approximately 4.2% of the geographic area has been earmarked for extensive in-situ conservation of habitats and ecosystems. A protected area network called National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries has been established.
So far, 309 forest preservation plots of representative forest types have been identified to conserve biodiversity in situ. The government of India has initiated an ‘eco-development’ programme with the assistance of the World Bank for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity. The country has also implemented A Biosphere Reserve Programme to preserve representative ecosystems.
The Central Government has implemented specific programmes to scientifically manage and wisely use fragile ecosystems like wetlands, mangroves, and coral reefs.
So far, six wetlands have been declared ‘Ramsar sites’ under Ramsar (Waterfowl Habitat)-1971, and eleven wetlands have been identified for intensive care, conservation, and management. The Ramsar Convention provides a framework for national action and international cooperation to preserve and use wetlands and their resources wisely.
Ex-situ Conservation
The maintenance and breeding of endangered plants and animal species under partially or wholly controlled conditions in zoos, gardens, nurseries & laboratories are called ex-situ conservation. Ex-situ conservation is an old Indian practice. Man has been caring for breeding and development for a long. However, this type of captive breeding is not done for biodiversity conservation. This strategy demands special attention: identifying species to be conserved (bred & propagated) and ex-situ conservation methods.
Under ex-situ conservation, botanical gardens, zoos, deer parks, safari parks, aquaria, etc., are established to breed, develop, and care for wild animals.
Today, there are 275 centres of ex-situ wildlife conservation in India. The GOI has set up a Central Zoo Authority to ensure better management of zoos. The central Government provides “Assistance to Botanical Gardens” to strengthen the ex-situ conservation of threatened and endangered species. The Department of Biotechnology supports ex-situ conservation through different types of research programmes.
General Methods of Wildlife Conservation
Some of the general measures of biodiversity conservation are given below. –
1. Creation of awareness among the common public regarding the importance of biodiversity conservation.
2. Afforestation, protection of existing forests and preservation of wildlife.
3. Reclamation of derelict land swamps and quarries.
4. Control of all types of pollution.
5. Prevent exotic species from entering native ecosystems.
6. Enforcement of legislation.
7. Co-existence of Flora and fauna within agro-ecosystems.
8. Building awareness and celebrating Earth Day (22 April) and International Biodiversity Day (22 May).
Genetic problems of endangered species: lack of genetic diversity
Loss of genetic variability is the principal cause behind the fact that a species becomes endangered. Those species with vast genetic diversity develop and flourish, whereas species with the least genetic diversity find it hard to adapt to varying environmental conditions and become endangered.
How does this genetic diversity get reduced? Well, it is most often reduced due to inbreeding. In a small population, mating between relatives is common. This inbreeding may lower the population’s ability to survive and reproduce. This phenomenon is called as Breeding Depression. A great example of the genetic problem of Cheetah’s endangered species is its lack of genetic diversity. Cheetahs are endangered animals and are found in small numbers in the wild. They show an astonishing lack of genetic diversity, with different animals having almost identical sets of genes. Many researchers feel that this is the reason behind their dwindling numbers.
What is genetic diversity?
Genetic diversity is the genetic variability among individuals of a single species and different species. Several races are usually found within a species. These races or strains slightly differ in shape, size, quality, resistance, disease probability and adaptability to changing environmental conditions. Since these differences occur due to differences in the genetic makeup of individuals, each type of such diversity is called genetic diversity.
Many examples of genetic biodiversity can be given. One is mentioned here: Orchids, tropical flowering plants found in tropical areas. There are so many different types of Orchids, with amazing diversity in their flowering and appearance. This means that different varieties of Orchids have different genes expressing different characters.
Genetic Diversity relates to the diversity of genes, which are physical units on chromosomes. The chromosomes are found in the nuclei of individuals’ cells. There may be innumerable types of genes in plants and animals, and each gene may be expressed with specific merits. Genetic biodiversity is the fundamental currency of life and is responsible for variation between individuals, populations and species. Hence, genetic diversity must be protected to protect their known, unknown, and, so far, unidentified natural wealth.
