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India's climate has become progessively drier since the late Miocene, reducing forest cover in northern India in favour of grassland. [23] There are about 29,015 species of plants including 17,926 species of flowering plants. This is about 9.1% of the total plant species identified worldwide and 6,842 species are endemic to India.
Some of these animals are engrained in Indian culture, often being associated with deities. These large mammals are important for wildlife tourism in India, with several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries catering to these needs. The popularity of these charismatic animals has greatly helped conservation efforts in India.
A wildlife sanctuary in India is defined as a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, or features of geological or other interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide opportunities for study or research. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for the establishment of protected areas in India. [1]
It is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in the world, home to the world's largest population of the Indian rhinoceros (pictured), as well as tigers, Asian elephants, wild water buffalo, and the Ganges river dolphin. The wetlands are important for migratory bird species. [15] Manas Wildlife Sanctuary: Assam: 1985 338; vii, ix, x (natural)
In 1970, India had only five national parks. In 1972, India enacted the Wildlife Protection Act and Project Tiger in 1973 to safeguard the habitats of conservation reliant species and currently there are 106 national parks in India. Further legislation strengthening protection for wildlife was introduced in the 1980s.
Mangroves in India are coastal ecosystems characterized by salt-tolerant trees and shrubs, found predominantly along the eastern and western coastlines and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It forms habitat for diverse wildlife, protect shorelines from erosion, and serve as natural barriers against extreme weather events.
Natural history in India was made more popular through publications in the mass media. In southern India M. Krishnan who was a pioneering black-and-white wildlife photographer and artist wrote articles on various aspects of natural history in Tamil and English. His articles were well illustrated with his photographs and artwork.
A "Common Important Forest" in India is a forest governed by local communities in a way compatible with sustainable development. Such forests are typically called village forests or panchayat forests , reflecting the fact that the administration and resource use of the forest occurs at the village and panchayat (an elected rural body) levels.