Previous Year Question
Which of the following has been identified as a ‘biodiversity hot-spot’ in India?
Sundarban
Western Ghats
Manas
Cherapunji
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
A Biodiversity Hotspot is a biogeographic region possessing exceptionally high biodiversity, particularly a large number of endemic species, while also having suffered severe loss of its natural habitat.
The Western Ghats are among the most important biodiversity-rich regions of India and are globally recognised as a Biodiversity Hotspot.
The region runs parallel to the western coast of India and extends through parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The Western Ghats show particularly high endemism among plants, amphibians, reptiles and freshwater fishes. Many species occurring here are naturally found nowhere else in the world.
Four global Biodiversity Hotspot regions extend into India—
Himalaya
Indo-Burma
Western Ghats–Sri Lanka
Sundaland, whose Indian portion includes the Nicobar Islands.