CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY AS A MORAL ISSUE

        Economic values play an important role in shaping most arguments in favour of conservation of biodiversity in different forms and approaches or in favour of development at the cost of biodiversity. An argument that conservation is a moral issue to be determined by a) the ‘rights’ of the other species in the ecosystems, b) the rights of indigenous people and minorities, and c) by our moral obligations to future generations in handing over the rich natural resource wealth as intact as possible, is often advanced. This implies that the conservation of biodiversity is an end in itself (Pearce and Moran, 1994) rather than the means to another end. In a number of situations, the moral view is not really opposed to the economic view. But often the confusion between the objectives of conservation vs development puts the governments in opposition to the environmentalists. Since conservation just for that sake is both scientifically impossible and impracticable, a better education, discussion and understanding of the issues involved in individual situations is the best means to avoid meaningless conflicts that result in a wastage of time. Timely action is the most basic approach to the problems. Gupta (1999), Sinha and Sahai (1999) and Jayal (1999) have discussed the ethical issues related to biodiversity and its conservation, in a greater detail.

CONSERVATION OF PLANT DIVERSITY OF INDIA

        It was estimated that there are about 1,25,000 species of all organisms in India and about 4,00,000 would probably discovered in the future (Gadgil, 1996). Of the 1,25,000 species, 85,000 are animals. There are about 18,000 species of angiosperms in the country. To this number, we have to add the species of algae, fungi, bryophytes, pteridophytes and gymnosperms, even if we exclude the bacteria. Obviously, the estimates of species numbers in India are on the far lower side. Thus, we do not have dependable estimates of the number of plant species in India. In addition, we are not certain as to what to conserve. Till all issues related to conservation are resolved, no meaningful conservation action is possible. Khoshoo (1996) reviewed the problems and prospects of conservation of biodiversity in India and proposed setting up of a National Biodiversity Conservation Board, which reflects the fluidity of the situation.

SPECIES SURVIVAL COMMISSION

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (CBD)

CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FLORA AND FAUNA (CITES)

TRADE RECORDS ANALYSIS OF FAUNA AND FLORA IN COMMERCE (TRAFFIC)

WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE (WWF)

RED LISTS OF THREATENED SPECIES

RED DATA BOOKS

SYSTEM OF CATEGORIES OF THREATENED SPECIES

       Species are assigned to different categories of threat basing on the degree of threat of extinction they face. Over a period of time a certain amount of confusion has crept in, in the use of the terms. The term Extinct has come to be used in a local context (instead of global) ‘as the disappearance of a species from a given habitat or biota, not precluding subsequent recolonisation from elsewhere’ (Lincoln et al., 1982). The terms ‘Endangered’ and ‘Threatened’ have come to used interchangeably, a confusion that appears to be very wide spread, as the London Zoo Authorities have accused even the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the Born Free Foundation (BFF) of such confusion (Donellan, 1995). Aware of this situation, the SSC has reviewed the terminology and published the IUCN Red List Categories, the use of which is mandatory (Anonymous, 1994). The Red List of Threatened Animals of 1996 is totally according to these guidelines. Species (or subspecific taxa) facing any threat of extinction should be assigned to one of the following categories on the basis of detailed and specific criteria, given by the IUCN (Anonymous, 1994), which needs to be consulted for details.

Evaluated

If adequate data are available:

a) Extinct (EX): when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual of the taxon has died.

b) Extinct in the Wild (EW): when a taxon is known only to survive in cultivation, well outside the past range.

Threatened

i) Critically Endangered (CR): when a taxon is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future.

ii) Endangered (EN): when a taxon is not critically endangered but is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.

iii) Vulnerable (VU): when a taxon is facing a high risk in the wild in the medium term future.