Wildlife Conservation
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: PIB
Subject: Environment
Context: The world observed World Wildlife Day on 3 March 2026 under the theme “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.”
About Wildlife Conservation:
What it is?
• Wildlife conservation is the practice of protecting wild plant and animal species and their habitats to ensure that healthy native ecosystems are restored, protected, or maintained.
• It involves a multidisciplinary approach encompassing law enforcement, scientific research, and community participation to prevent species extinction and maintain biodiversity.
Data and Statistics on Wildlife in India:
• Mega-Biodiversity Hub: India is one of the 17 mega-biodiversity rich countries, harboring nearly 7-8% of the world’s recorded species while occupying only 2.4% of the global land area.
• Medicinal Wealth: India possesses approximately 15,000 medicinal plant species, with about 8,000 species utilized in traditional Indian systems of medicine (AYUSH).
• Protected Area Network: As of 2026, India has a robust network of 1,000+ Protected Areas, including National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves.
• Economic Scale: The annual domestic demand for medicinal plants in India is estimated at over 5,12,000 metric tonnes, with 242 species traded in high volumes exceeding 100 MT per annum.
• Global Export Share: India is the second-largest exporter of medicinal plants globally, significantly contributing to the multi-billion dollar traditional medicine market.
Types of Conservation Methods:
• In-Situ Conservation (On-site)
Protecting species within their natural habitats where they have evolved.
• National Parks & Sanctuaries: Areas with strict protection for flora and fauna (e.g., Corbett, Kaziranga).
• Biosphere Reserves: Large areas for ecosystem conservation and sustainable development (e.g., Nilgiri).
• MPCDAs: Medicinal Plants Conservation and Development Areas specifically designated for medicinal flora.
• Sacred Groves: Community-protected forest fragments based on religious and cultural beliefs.
• Ex-Situ Conservation (Off-site)
Protecting species outside their natural habitats in controlled environments.
• Gene Banks: Long-term preservation of genetic material (e.g., National Seed Gene Bank at NBPGR).
• Botanical Gardens & Zoos: Providing breeding grounds and educational displays for rare species.
• Cryopreservation: Storage of seeds, pollen, or embryos at ultra-low temperatures to maintain viability.
• Herbal Gardens: Institutional or school gardens (e.g., Aushadhi Vantika) used for awareness and local supply.
Key Initiatives Taken So Far:
• Central Sector Scheme (NMPB): A flagship scheme for the conservation and sustainable management of medicinal plants with an outlay of ₹322.41 crores (2021-2026).
• e-CHARAK Portal: A digital platform and mobile app to enable information exchange and market access between farmers and herbal traders.
• National Ayush Mission (NAM): Promotes the integration of medicinal plant cultivation with traditional farming to enhance farmer income.
• GI Tagging: Protecting the heritage of specific plants like Nagauri Ashwagandha (registered Nov 2025) and Kashmir Saffron to ensure quality and origin.
Challenges Associated:
• Overexploitation of Wild Stocks: High market demand leads to unsustainable harvesting, threatening the survival of rare species in the wild.
Example: In 2025, the Himalayan Trillium faced severe depletion in the high-altitude zones due to illegal extraction for its high-value medicinal roots.
• Habitat Fragmentation: Infrastructure development and agricultural expansion continue to shrink the natural corridors required for species migration.
Example: The Western Ghats have seen localized extinctions of endemic aromatic plants in 2026 due to land-use changes for tourism and plantations.
• Inadequate Standardisation: Lack of uniform quality testing and certification makes it difficult for small farmers to access premium global markets.
Example: Recent rejections of herbal raw drug exports in late 2025 highlighted the gap in GACP (Good Agricultural and Collection Practices) compliance.
• Climate Change Vulnerability: Shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures are altering the chemical composition (potency) and flowering cycles of medicinal plants.
Example: The Kashmir Saffron yields in 2025-26 were affected by erratic snowfall, directly impacting the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
Way Ahead:
• Mainstreaming Cultivation: Shifting the supply chain from wild-collection to controlled cultivation on private lands to reduce pressure on forests.
• Blockchain in Supply Chain: Implementing Traceability Systems on platforms like e-CHARAK to ensure that herbs are sourced sustainably and ethically.
• R&D in Bio-Prospecting: Investing in scientific research to unlock the modern pharmaceutical potential of the 15,000 identified species.
• Community-Led Conservation: Empowering Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) to ensure fair benefit-sharing and protection of traditional knowledge.
Conclusion:
India’s medicinal plant heritage is a unique confluence of ancient wisdom and modern economic potential. By bridging the gap between digital platforms like e-CHARAK and grassroots conservation in MPCDAs, India is securing its role as a global pharmacy. Protecting these green healers is not just an environmental duty, but a prerequisite for the health and prosperity of Viksit Bharat.
Q. “Species recovery without habitat integrity is conservation in appearance, not substance.” Critically examine this statement using examples from India’s animal conservation projects. Assess the long-term ecological risks associated with such approaches. (15 M)