May 31, 2024
India's Top 10 Endangered Species: 2024
As we mark National Endangered Species Day today, it is crucial to recognize and act on the urgent need to protect endangered species in India. Here are the top 10 endangered species that are facing the threat of extinction and urgently need our protection.
1. Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) - Endangered
Asian elephants, the largest land mammals in Asia, are culturally significant and play a crucial role in forest and grassland ecosystems. Their population has declined due to habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflicts, and poaching.
2. Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) - Critically Endangered
Inhabiting the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems, Ganges River dolphins face threats from river water removal, siltation, pollution, and entanglement in fisheries nets.
3. One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) - Critically Endangered
Found in India and the Himalayan foothills, one-horned rhinos are targeted by poachers for their horns and face challenges from flooding and human-wildlife conflicts.
4. Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) - Critically Endangered
With a population of about 500 in India, snow leopards face threats from habitat encroachment, human-wildlife conflicts, and illegal trade.
5. Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris) - Endangered
India hosts 70% of the global Bengal tiger population. Despite their adaptability, they remain endangered due to poaching, trophy hunting, and habitat loss.
6. Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) - Endangered
Primarily found in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal, and Meghalaya, red pandas face a significant population decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
7. Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) - Endangered
Confined to Gir National Park in Gujarat, Asiatic lions are threatened by habitat loss, human conflicts, and accidental deaths in open wells.
8. Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) - Endangered
With only 2,500–3,000 individuals left, Nilgiri tahrs are confined to small areas in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, facing threats from poaching and climate change.
9. Indian Bison (Bos gaurus) - Critically Endangered
Native to South and Southeast Asia, the Indian bison faces threats from poaching and habitat loss, with significant population declines in many areas.
10. Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) - Endangered
With only about 4,000 individuals in the wild, these monkeys from the Western Ghats are threatened by hunting, roadkill, and habitat loss.
SRIRAM's
