Biodiversity and Conservation is Chapter 15 of NCERT Class 12 Biology — one of the most consistently asked topics in NEET. In NEET 2024, 3 direct questions appeared from this chapter. Understanding biodiversity levels, India’s hotspots, IUCN categories, and conservation strategies is essential for scoring 720 in NEET 2027.
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth. The term was popularized by E.O. Wilson. It encompasses all living organisms from genes to ecosystems.
Three Levels of Biodiversity
| Level | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic Diversity | Variation in genes within a species | 50,000 rice varieties in India; 1000+ mango varieties |
| Species Diversity | Variety of species in a given area | Western Ghats has 7,402 flowering plant species |
| Ecosystem Diversity | Variety of ecosystems in a region | Deserts, rainforests, coral reefs, wetlands, grasslands |
Global and Indian Biodiversity — Key Numbers (NEET Facts)
| Category | Global | India |
|---|---|---|
| Named species | 1.5 million | ~45,000 plant + 91,000 animal species |
| Estimated total species | 5–50 million | 8.1% of global biodiversity |
| Flowering plants | ~2,50,000 | ~45,000 |
| Mammals | ~4,629 | 372 |
| Birds | ~9,702 | 1,228 |
| Reptiles | ~7,900 | 460+ |
| Amphibians | ~4,522 | 197 |
Biodiversity Hotspots — NEET Must-Know
A biodiversity hotspot is defined as a region with: (a) >1500 endemic vascular plant species AND (b) having lost >70% of original habitat. There are 36 hotspots globally. India has 4 hotspots:
| Hotspot | States Covered | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Western Ghats | Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Goa | Highest endemic species in India |
| Eastern Himalayas | Northeast India, parts of West Bengal, Sikkim | Highest plant diversity in India |
| Indo-Burma | Northeast India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya) | Freshwater biodiversity hotspot |
| Sundaland (including Nicobar) | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Coral reef ecosystems, island endemism |
IUCN Red List Categories
The IUCN Red List categorizes species by extinction risk:
- Extinct (EX): No known living individuals — e.g., Dodo, passenger pigeon
- Extinct in the Wild (EW): Survives only in captivity — e.g., Scimitar-horned Oryx
- Critically Endangered (CR): Extremely high risk — e.g., Asiatic Cheetah, Gharial
- Endangered (EN): High risk — e.g., Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Snow Leopard
- Vulnerable (VU): High risk but less immediate — e.g., Dhole, Gaur, Sloth Bear
- Near Threatened (NT): Close to qualifying for threatened category
- Least Concern (LC): Widespread and abundant
Conservation Strategies
In-Situ Conservation (Conservation in natural habitat)
| Type | Number in India | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| National Parks | 106 | No human activity permitted |
| Wildlife Sanctuaries | 567 | Limited human activity allowed |
| Biosphere Reserves | 18 (12 UNESCO MAB) | 3-zone system: Core, Buffer, Transition |
| Sacred Groves | 100,000+ across India | Traditional protection by communities |
Ex-Situ Conservation (Outside natural habitat)
- Zoological parks (Zoos): Captive breeding programs — e.g., Dehradun Zoo for Red Panda
- Botanical gardens: Plant species — Kolkata, Ooty, Pondicherry
- Seed banks: Preservation at –196°C in liquid nitrogen
- Gene banks / cryopreservation: Gametes, embryos stored
- In vitro fertilization: For critically endangered mammals
Important Conservation Projects in India
- Project Tiger (1973): 53 Tiger Reserves — India’s most successful conservation project
- Project Elephant (1992): 32 Elephant Reserves
- Project Crocodile: Gharial, Mugger, Saltwater Crocodile
- Project Snow Leopard (2009): Himalayan region
- Project Hangul: Kashmir Stag (Hangul) conservation
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Signed at Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, 1992. India ratified in 1994. Three objectives: Conservation → Sustainable use → Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.
Practice MCQs — NEET Biodiversity and Conservation
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Last updated: April 2026 | NEET Gurukul — Trusted by 50,000+ NEET aspirants across India