D. Sundaland
The Sundaland hotspot covers the western segment of the Indo-Malayan archipelago, an assemblage of around 17,000 equatorial islands dominated by two of the most expansive landmasses globally: Borneo (725,000 km2) and Sumatra (427,300 km2).
This region encompasses a small portion of southern Thailand, specifically the provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat. Moreover, it includes the entirety of Malaysia, spanning Peninsular Malaysia and the East Malaysian regions of Sarawak and Sabah in the northern reaches of Borneo. The hotspot encompasses Singapore, situated at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, along with Brunei Darussalam. Additionally, the western segment of Indonesia, which entails Kalimantan (the Indonesian sector of Borneo), Sumatra, Java, and Bali, falls within this area.
The remarkable diversity of flora and fauna in the Sundaland Hotspot is facing rapid degradation due to extensive industrial forestry practices across these islands. Global demand for certain animals, such as tigers, monkeys, and various turtle species, drives their exploitation for both sustenance and traditional medicine in other countries. Exclusive habitation of orangutans is restricted to this region, and alarmingly, their numbers are dwindling at an alarming rate. Java and Sumatra, Indonesian islands of significance, serve as crucial sanctuaries for two distinct Southeast Asian rhino species. Regrettably, the destruction of forests for economic gain is an ongoing predicament, mirroring the predicament faced by numerous tropical areas.
Sundaland Threats To Biodiversity
- Critical Rhino Habitats: The islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia serve as the last havens for two distinct rhino species native to Southeast Asia.
- Business-Driven Deforestation: Similar to numerous tropical regions, the forests in this area are facing degradation due to business-driven deforestation.
- Detrimental Industries: The production of pulp, oil palm cultivation, and rubber harvesting stands out as the top three destructive contributors to the decline of biodiversity in the Sundaland Hotspot.
- Deterioration via Industrial Forestry: The mesmerizing array of flora and fauna in the Sundaland Hotspot is swiftly deteriorating due to intensive industrial forestry practices on these islands.
- Global Animal Trade: Tigers, monkeys, and various turtle species are traded globally, primarily for consumption and traditional medicine in other countries.
- Unique Orangutan Habitat: The exclusive habitat of orangutans is confined to this specific region, and their numbers are rapidly decreasing.
Biodiversity Hotspots in India
India hosts four of the world’s 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Burma region, and Sundaland. However, it is important to note that two hotspots, the Indo-Burma region and Sundaland, extend beyond India’s formal borders and encompass a broader geographical region within South Asia.
This discussion explores the details of India’s Biodiversity Hotspots, which can help you prepare better for the UPSC exam.
Table of Content
- What are Biodiversity Hotspots?
- How Many Biodiversity Hotspots Are There In India?
- Who declares Biodiversity Hotspots?
- Why are Biodiversity Hotspots important?
- Question Asked in UPSC Exam on Biodiversity Hotspots in India
- GK Question and Answers on Biodiversity Hotspots in India