HOLLONGAPAR GIBBON SANCTUARY
HOLLONGAPAR GIBBON SANCTUARY
- Recent controversy surrounding Vedanta-owned Cairn's proposal to drill in Assam's Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary.
- The project threatens the habitat of the endangered Hoolock Gibbon, India's only ape species.
Significance of Biodiversity
- ECOLOGICAL -
- India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries. This rich biodiversity plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation.
- The mangrove forests of Sundarbans act as natural barriers against cyclones and tsunamis, protecting coastal communities.
- More than 50% of India's cultivated plants depend on pollinators to produce fruits, seeds and nuts.
- ECONOMICAL –
- India's forest biodiversity supports the livelihoods of about 275 million people who depend on forest resources.
- Ecotourism, centered around India's diverse flora and fauna, contributes significantly to the economy.
- CULTURAL -
- India's biodiversity is deeply intertwined with its cultural fabric.
- Traditional knowledge systems, particularly in medicine (Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani), are built upon the country's rich biodiversity.
4) Scientific & medical –
- The country has already contributed significantly to global medicine, with examples like the anti-malarial drug derived from the Cinchona tree.
- India is home to over 8000 species of medicinal plants.
- The genetic diversity in India's wild crop relatives is crucial for developing climate-resilient and high-yielding crop varieties, essential for future food security