Question

Describe any five conservation strategies for saving the biodiversity.

What is ex-situ conservation?

Answer 1

1. In-situ conservation: This involves the conservation of species in their natural habitats. It emphasises the protection of the ecosystems of the original habitats or natural environment. The in-situ approach includes the protection of a typical ecosystem through a network of protected areas on land or sea. This strategy includes national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves. The Indian wildlife heritage has a unique status worldwide. It has the second largest base of biodiversity in the world, with 441 wildlife sanctuaries and 80 national parks. These are managed through the state or other effective agencies.
2. Wildlife Sanctuaries: Sanctuaries are places where the killing or capturing of any animal is prohibited except under orders of the authorities · concerned. A wildlife sanctuary is a protected area that is reserved for the conservation of only wildlife animals and plant species. Human activities like harvesting or timber collection of minor forest products and private ownership rights are allowed. In sanctuaries, optimum living conditions and protection are provided to the wild animals. The examples are Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park (Assam), Gir National Park and Lion Sanctuary (Gujarat).
3. National Parks: A national park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of wildlife and where human activities like forestry, grazing, or cultivation are not permitted. National parks are set up to preserve the flora, fauna, and landscape of an area. Some of the major national parks in India are Corbett National Park, Kanha National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Bandipur National Park, Periyar National Park, Dudhwa National Park, Pench National Park, The Sunderban National Park.
4. Biosphere Reserves: A biosphere reserve is a landscape that is usually large in size with naturally functioning ecological processes, and containing outstanding examples of ecosystems, natural communities, and species that are inadequately protected. It is an area that contains a wildlife preserve bordered by a buffer zone in which more frequent use is permitted to the public. It is established as a way of integrating habitat conservation with the interests of the local community.
5. Ex-situ conservation: Ex-situ conservation means the conservation of wildlife outside its natural habitat. This type of conservation involves the maintenance and breeding of endangered plants and animal species under partially or fully controlled conditions. When the population of some species declines or there is a threat of extinction for some species, they are protected through maintaining artificial conditions under human care. In such cases, in-situ conservation may not be effective; therefore, ex-situ conservation is done. Zoological parks, botanical gardens, agricultural research centres, and forestry institutions are the artificial habitats for ex-situ conservation.