Question

Quite a few species of plants and animals are endangered in India. Why?

Answer 1

The ecosystem has been greatly disturbed due to excess exploitation of animal resources and plants by human beings. Some of the major causes of threat to plant and animal species in India are

• Reckless exploitation and destruction of forests for habitation, cultivation.
• Introduction of alien species.
• Pollution due to acid deposits, industrial and chemical wastes.
• Illegal Hunting carried out by greedy hunters for commercial purposes.
• About 20 species are extinct and 1,300 plant species are endangered.
• The Red List of World Conservation Union has named 352 medicinal plants of which 49 endangered and 52 are critically threatened.