Which one of the following areas in India is a hotspot of biodiversity?

The correct answer is the Western Ghats.

Key Points

• There are 4 biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, the Indo-Burma region, and the Sundaland.
• These hotspots have numerous endemic species.
• The Western Ghats are present along the western edge of peninsular India and cover most of the deciduous forests and rain forests.
  • This region consists of 6000 plant species of which 3000 are endemic.
  • The vegetation in this region was spread over 190,000 km2 but has been now reduced to 43,000 km2.
  • The region is also known for 450 species of birds, 140 mammals, 260 reptiles, and 175 amphibians.

Additional Information

• The Sundaland hotspot is located in South-East India (south of West Bengal, Bangladesh).
  • In the year 2013, the Sundaland was declared as a World Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations.
  • This region is famous for its rich terrestrial and marine ecosystem.
  • It is one of the biologically richest hotspots in the world which comprises 25,000 species of vascular plants, of which 15,000 are found only in this region.
• The Himalayas comprises North-East India, Bhutan, Central and Eastern parts of Nepal.
  • This region holds a record of having 163 endangered species which includes the Wild Asian Water Buffalo, One-horned Rhino, and as many as 10,000 plant species, of which 3160 are endemic.
  • This mountain range covers nearly 750,000 km2.
• The Indo-Burma Region is stretched over a distance of 2,373,000 km², this region spans over the North-eastern states, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and the southern part of China.
  • In the last 12 years, 6 large mammal species have been discovered in this region: the Large-antlered Muntjac, the Annamite Muntjac, the Grey-shanked Douc, the Annamite Striped Rabbit, the Leaf Deer, and the Saola.
• Endangered Animal Species in India: The Royal Bengal Tiger, The Great Asiatic Lion, The Snow Leopard, The Pig Nosed Frog, The Pink Headed Duck..