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

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India’s Fourth National Report to the <strong>Convention</strong> on Biological Diversity Table 1.17: Ten largest families with maximum species diversity in Indian deserts Family Species Poaceae 111 Fabaceae 65 Asteraceae 44 Cyperaceae 36 Convolvulaceae 35 Malvaceae 28 Acanthaceae 22 Euphorbiaceae 23 Cucurbitaceae 19 Scrophulariaceae 15 Source: Flora of the Indian Desert (Bhandari 1990 ) Cold desert region The cold desert regions of Trans-Himalayan zone of India are characterized by severe arid conditions, where temperature drops to –50 o C during winter, insignificant monsoonal effects, enormous resources, endemic and highly specialized biological elements and diversity of indigenous sociocultural systems. Cold desert comprises of alpine mesophytes and desert vegetation. Some of the endemic plants reported from the region include: Corydalis adiantifolia, C. tibetica, Braya acnea, Capsella thomsonii, Dianthus deltoids, Stellaria tibetica, Astragalus ciotus, A. melanostachys, A. oxydon, A. tribuulifolius, Sedum crassipes, Chrysonthemum tibeticum, Crepis stoliczka, Inula falconeri, Leontopodium nanum, Saussurea subulata, S thomsonii, Senicio tibeticus, Tanacetum artemesioides, Acantholimon lycopodiodes and Waldhamia nivea. Cold desert is the home of highly adaptive, rare endangered fauna, such as Asiatic Ibex, Tibetan Argali, Ladakh Uriyal, Bharal, Tibetan Antelope, Tibetan Gazelle, Wild Yak, Snow Leopard, Brown Bear, Tibetan Wolf, Wild Dog and Tibetan Wild Ass. Avifauna includes some restricted range species such as Black Necked Crane which breeds in the higher reaches of this region. Threats and conservation status Third National Report on the Implementation of the UNCCD, 2007 states that most of the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas of India are either subject to desertification or drought prone or considered wastelands. About 92% area in arid Rajasthan is affected by desertification, about 76% area is affected by wind erosion, and 13% by water erosion. In the neighbouring arid Gujarat, about 93% area is affected by desertification and 39% by water erosion thereby affecting agriculture and wildlands. Land degradation is estimated to affect at least one-third of the 329 mha geographical area in India. Arid areas (49.5 mha) are the worst affected, especially in the western part of Rajasthan that includes the Thar desert (20.87 mha), as well as in arid Gujarat (6.22 mha). 40
Overview of Biodiversity: Status, Trends and Threats Recurrent drought, high wind, poor sandy soils and high human and livestock demand for food, fodder and firewood cause over-exploitation of fragile resources, resulting in wind and water erosion, water logging, salinity-alkalinity and vegetation degradation. Considering the conservation value of drylands, a number of PAs have been established in the region. These include NPs in 3,162 sq km of area which is 1.48% of India’s geographical area and WLS in 12,914 sq km of area which is 6.03% of the area. The semi desert biogeographic zones have NPs spread over 1,506 sq km and WLS over 12,411 sq km. In addition, Rann of Kachchh (12454 sq km) has been designated as BR in January 2008. It is the largest BR in India. Similarly, in the cold desert region, the PA network include nearly 5,809 sq km under NPs and 10,438 sq km under WLS. The MoEF is actively considering establishment of cold desert BR in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. GOI has initiated special programmes – ‘Project Snow Leopard’, ‘Project Hangul’ and ‘Project Vulture’ for the recovery of these threatened species and their habitats falling in the cold desert habitats. India has a national action programme for combating desertification. It harmonizes with other national programmes with a short-term (5-year) and two long-term (15 year) strategies over the next three decades at an estimated cost of over US$ 20 billion. The programme embodies a holistic approach covering all the dryland regions of the country with coordination framework for diverse set of activities through several agencies and implementation layers. Linkages with NEP and Five-Year Plans NEP underlines the necessity of adoption of innovative and integrated measures for conservation of desert ecosystems in the country. The needed measures include: a) intensive water and moisture conservation through practices based on traditional and science based knowledge, and relying on traditional infrastructure; b) enhancing and expanding green cover based on local species; and c) reviewing the agronomic practices in these areas, and promoting agricultural practices and varieties, which are well adapted to the desert ecosystem. Among others, the mid term review of 10 th Five Year Plan had recommended special programme for dryland farming in arid and semi arid areas of country. 1.4 INLAND WATER BIODIVERSITY 1.4.1 Wetland profile Wetlands, transition between terrestrial and aquatic systems, are unique habitats that sustain substantial biodiversity. Wetlands are important for regulating water cycle, playing critical role in maintaining the health of rivers, estuaries and coastal waters. These are habitats for specialized animals and plants, many of which are threatened. The wetlands in India estimated to cover about 58.2 mha, are distributed in all the biogeographic regions and show significant ecological diversity ranging 41
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Part 1 - English version (PDF) - Convention on Biological Diversity

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