India has extraordinary wildlife that draws people from all over the world. From the Red Panda to the Himalayan Bear, the country has several rare species that people travel to see for their unique traits and beauty. However, India’s wildlife has been facing the constant issue of disappearing or dying of various species.
Many animals become endangered because of human activity, such as land development and hunting, which made them endangered. Tons of animals come under the category of endangered species, but we have listed five endangered animals in India. They are making the headlines worldwide due to their sudden high decrease in numbers, threatening Indian biodiversity and the ecosystem.
Here’s the List of Top Five Endangered Animals in India: Learn Why They Are Endangered
In the following list, we will discuss the five endangered species of animals in India. With the reason why they are considered as endangered.
1. Bengal Tiger
Back in the days, Bengal Tiger accounted for around half of the world’s total tiger population, but currently the situation is worse. Even though the government has taken some conservation measures, including Project Tiger, which slightly helped rejevenutating the number of tigers. But the sad reality is they are still endangered.
We have listed the Bengal Tiger among the five endangered animals in India because of its high demand for poaching for skin and various body parts, which has made the headlines. This endangered animal has become a national topic for conservation.
However, the condition has been fueled by severe hunting, reduced habitat from urban development, and human-wildlife conflict is a factor in diminishing numbers. Bengal Tigers found only 7 % of their historical habitat range, with fewer than 2000 individuals left in the wild.
2. Red Panda
As the name suggests, the red panda is the cutest among the five endangered species in India. They are small, like a domestic cat with reddish-brown fur, a long, bushy tail, and cute little white marks on their face. Red Panda is mostly found on trees and eats bamboo, but also fruits, insects, and eggs. Majorly, they live in the eastern Himalaya in India, covering Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
The population of Red Panda has faced a significant decrease over the last few decades, upto 50% in current generations, which is a wake-up call to protect nature. The reason the red panda is considered endangered is due to deforestation of bamboo forests, poaching for their fur, hunting, and habitat fragmentation.
The Government took various measures to protect under the Wildlife Protection Act in India, running conservation programs by WWF and local communities. Additionally, efforts are being made to restore forests in habitats and to run awareness campaigns in the Himalayan region.
3. Asian Elephant
Another name in the list of five endangered animals in India is the Asian Elephant with long trunks, tusks, and strong social bonds. These gentle giants are found in Kerala, Karnataka, Assam, and Tamil Nadu, where they are common. However, they are an important part of the Indian ecosystem.
The most obvious reason for this gentle giant’s disappearance is deforestation. The Asian Elephant, among the five endangered species of animals in India, is a large herbivorous animal, which is why they need to be protected like humans.This is another reason for their declining population: the human-elephant conflict; people are scared of them due to their large appearance. Additionally, poaching of their tusks to make ornaments and jewellery, which comes under an illegal ivory trade.
To protect the Asian elephant, various measures have been taken, such as creating Elephant corridors, wildlife protection laws, and mainly awareness programs to mitigate the conflicts between humans and elephants.
4. Great Indian Bustard
Though it’s a bird, it looks pretty different from normal birds. It has long legs and a unique black crown, which makes people wonder whether this is an actual bird or not. Well, you’ll be surprised to know that the Great Indian Bustard is one of the heaviest birds and is considered critically endangered among the five endangered animals in India. They are mainly found in the dry states of India, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The Great Indian Bustard began disappearing due to grassland loss, collisions with power lines, and another common cause is hunting. As soon as the bird population starts decreasing, the government take measures like breeding programs, habitat protection, and conservation projects. The bird is less commonly found than the other five endangered species in India, but still, many people are aware of it and hunt it for food and other reasons.
5. Ganges River Dolphin
The Ganges River Dolphin is also known as the ‘Tiger of the Ganges’ with a long snout, poor eyesight, and relies on echolocation to navigate. As the name suggests, they are found in the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers among the five endangered animals in India. The Ganges River Dolphin is a unique dolphin present in India, which is such a treat to watch dancing in freshwater.
However, the water is not as clean and fresh as it used to be; now it’s polluted, which is the reason for the Ganges River dolphin’s rising death rate. Dam construction is also a factor in the dolphins’ declining population. And lastly, the hunters who hunt them for food and other reasons continue to grow.
The Government has declared the Ganges River Dolphin the National Aquatic Animal of India to create awareness while building conservation programs and putting restrictions on harmful fishing practices.
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Conserve Wildlife!
These endangered animals are a beauty and essence of India’s rich wildlife. However, the decline in their population is as heart-wrenching as it is part of our natural heritage.
If the rise and decline in their population are not controlled, there is a chance that the future generation might only see their beauty in pictures.
Well, the government is taking several important measures to conserve them. But as humans and part of Indian society, it is also our responsibility to protect them.
Each small step of yours will inspire others to do the same. It could be anything, such as creating awareness, stopping hunters, or supporting conservation efforts to save our wildlife.
