What Is a Biodiversity Hotspot?

A biodiversity hotspot is a region that meets two essential criteria:

• It has at least 1,500 species of vascular plants found nowhere else (endemics).

• It has lost at least 70% of its original habitat, making its biodiversity highly threatened.

This concept, championed by Conservation International, helps prioritize areas for conservation where the stakes for global biodiversity are highest.

The Four Global Hotspots in India

India is home to four of the world’s 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots:

• The Himalayas (including the North Eastern Himalayas)

• The Western Ghats

• The Indo-Burma region

• Sundaland (including the Nicobar Islands)1235

However, when focusing on the most prominent and widely recognized hotspots entirely within India’s borders, the North Eastern Himalayas and the Western Ghats are the most significant.

North Eastern Himalayas: A Treasure Trove of Endemism

The North Eastern Himalayas, often referred to as the Eastern Himalayas, cover parts of North-East India, Bhutan, and Nepal. This region is characterized by:

• Over 10,000 plant species, with more than 3,000 being endemic.

• Iconic fauna such as the Wild Asian Water Buffalo, One-horned Rhinoceros, Red Panda, and Snow Leopard.

• Unique ecosystems ranging from subtropical forests to alpine meadows.

• High levels of endemism and a large number of threatened species, making it a global conservation priority125.

Western Ghats: The Green Spine of Peninsular India

The Western Ghats stretch along the western edge of India, from Gujarat to Tamil Nadu. Recognized as one of the world’s “hottest” hotspots, the Western Ghats are noted for:

• Over 4,000 species of flowering plants, with nearly 1,500 endemics.

• Rich diversity of mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles, including the Lion-tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Tahr.

• Unique shola-grassland ecosystems and tropical rainforests.

• Being a critical water source for peninsular India and a regulator of the monsoon climate125.

Why Not Other Regions?

• Eastern and Western Ghats: The Eastern Ghats, while important, are not classified as a global biodiversity hotspot, unlike the Western Ghats.

• Andaman and Nicobar Islands: These are part of the Sundaland hotspot, which extends beyond India and is not as prominent within India as the Western Ghats and North Eastern Himalayas.

• Eastern and Western Himalayas: The recognized hotspot is specifically the North Eastern (Eastern) Himalayas, not the entire range1235.

Conservation Significance

Both the North Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats face significant threats from habitat loss, deforestation, climate change, and human encroachment. Their hotspot status underscores the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts to protect their unique biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide.

Conclusion: The Correct Answer

The major biodiversity hotspots in India are the North Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats.

Correct answer:
(2) North Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats