Part 1 - English version (PDF) - Convention on Biological Diversity

India’s Fourth National Report to the <strong>Convention</strong> on Biological Diversity
The varied edaphic, climatic and topographic conditions have resulted in a wide range of ecosystems and
habitats such as forests, grasslands, wetlands, coastal and marine ecosystems, and deserts. The mountainous
region covers an area close to 100 mha, arid and semi-arid zones are spread over 30 mha and the coastline
is about 8000 km long.
India represents: (i) Two ‘Realms’- the Himalayan region represented by Palearctic Realm and the rest
of the sub-continent represented by Malayan Realm; (ii) Five Biomes e.g. Tropical Humid Forests;
Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests (including Monsoon Forests); Warm Deserts and Semi-deserts; Coniferous
Forests; Alpine Meadows; and (iii) Ten biogeographic zones and Twenty-seven biogeographic provinces
(Fig. 1.1; Table 1.1).
16
Figure: 1.1 Biogeographic zones in India
Source: Rodgers and Panwar, 1988