Conservation

Conservation

According to WWF (World Wildlife Fund) there has been 60% decrease in the size of population of animals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians over the past 40 years. In order to leave something for the future generation, we need to conserve it now. Conservation is the protection, preservation, management of wildlife and natural resource such as forest and water. Conservation of biodiversity helps us to protect, maintain and recover endangered animals and plant species. Conservation is of two types. They are:

• In-situ conservation (within habitat)

• Ex-situ conservation (outside the habitat)

1. In-situ conservation

It is nothing but conservation of living resources within the natural ecosystem in which they occur. This is achieved by protection of natural habitat and maintenance of endangered species in certain protected areas such as national parks, wildlife or bird sanctuaries and biosphere reserves. In India, there are about 73 national parks, 416 sanctuaries and 12 biosphere reserves.

a. National Parks

National park is an area which is strictly reserved for the betterment of the wildlife. Here, activities like forestry, grazing or cultivation are not permitted. Even private ownership rights are not allowed in these areas. The national parks cover an area of 100 – 500 square kilometers. In these parks a single plant or animal species are preserved.

b. Wildlife sanctuaries

Sanctuary is a protected area which is reserved for the conservation of animals only. Human activities like harvesting of timber, collection of forest products and private ownership rights are allowed here. Controlled interference like tourist activity is also allowed. The differences between national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are given in Table 22. 6

c. Biosphere reserves

Biosphere is a protected area where human population also forms the part of the system. The area of these places will be around 5000 square kilometers. They conserve the eco system, species and genetic resources. These areas are set up mainly for economic development.

Activity 6

Find out the national parks and wildlife santuaries in Tamil Nadu. Visit those places and collect more information about them.

Advantages of In-situ conservation

* Species can be adapted to their habitat.

* Species can interact with each other.

* Natural habitat is maintained.

* It is less expensive and easy to manage.

* Needs of indigenous people are protected.

2. Ex-situ Conservation

It is the conservation of wildlife outside their habitat. Establishing zoos and botanical gardens, conservation of genes, seedling and tissue culture are some of the strategies followed in this method.

a. Botanical gardens

It is a place where flowers, fruits and vegetables are grown. These places provide a healthy and calm environment.

b. Zoological parks

Zoological parks are the areas where wild animals are conserved. In India there are about 800 zoological parks.

The oldest zoo is Schoenbrunn Zoo in Vienna, established in the year 1759. In India the first Zoo was established in Barrachpur in the year 1800.

c. Tissue Culture

It is a technique of growing plant cells, tissues, organs, seeds or other plant parts in a sterile environment on a nutrient medium.

d. Seed bank

The seed bank preserves dried seeds by storing them in a very low temperature. The largest seed bank in the world is the Millennium Seed Bank in England.

e. Cryo Bank

It is a technique by which a seed or embryo is preserved at a very low temperature. It is usually preserved in liquid nitrogen at –1960C. This is helpful for the conservation of species facing extinction.

Advantages of Ex-situ conservation

* It prevents the decline of species.

* Endangered animals can be breeded in these ways.

* Threatened species are breeded and released in natural environment.

* It is useful for conducting research and scientific work.