Assessment of Plant Biodiversity and Conservation Priorities in India

Abstract

India is recognized as one of the world's megadiverse countries, despite occupying only about 2.4% of the global land area. Its varied physiography, climate and ecological conditions support a remarkable diversity of forests, grasslands, wetlands, deserts, coastal ecosystems, islands and alpine habitats. India contains four globally recognized biodiversity hotspots—the Himalaya, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma region through the North-East, and Nicobar Islands—and supports more than 45,000 recorded plant species according to IUCN's India profile. The country's plant diversity provides essential ecosystem services, food, medicine, fuel, fibre, genetic resources and livelihood opportunities. However, habitat destruction, fragmentation, urbanization, agricultural expansion, overexploitation, invasive alien species, pollution and climate change increasingly threaten plant populations and ecosystems. This article assesses the status of plant biodiversity in India and identifies major conservation priorities. The assessment is based on secondary information from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Forest Survey of India (FSI), IUCN and published scientific literature. Particular attention is given to endemic, threatened, medicinal and economically important plants and biodiversity-rich regions. The India State of Forest Report 2023 provides important information on forest cover, tree cover, mangrove cover, forest biodiversity and carbon resources. Recent BSI planning material indicates that India has recorded more than 55,000 plant-related taxa when algae, fungi and microbes are included, while only a portion of the macrophyte flora has yet received global IUCN assessment. The article recommends strengthening specieslevel assessments, habitat protection, ecological restoration, ex-situ conservation, community participation, invasivespecies management and climate-resilient conservation planning.