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118 FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (iv) Each country should identify habitats of wild relatives and ensure their protection. (v) Habitats where species feed, breed, rest and nurse their young should be safeguarded and protected. (vi) International trade in wild plants and animals be regulated. To protect, preserve and propagate the variety of species within natural boundaries, the Government of India passed the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, under which national parks and sanctuaries were established and biosphere reserves declared. Details of these Figure 14.3 : Humbodtia decurrens Bedd — highly biosphere reserves are given in the book India: rare endemic tree of Southern Western Ghats (IndiaPhysical Environment (NCERT, 2006). There are some countries which are There is an urgent need to educate people to adopt environment-friendly practices and situated in the tropical region; they possess a large number of the world’s species diversity. reorient their activities in such a way that our They are called mega diversity centres. There development is harmonious with other life are 12 such countries, namely Mexico, forms and is sustainable. There is an increasing consciousness of the fact that such Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, China, India, conservation with sustainable use is possible Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia in which only with the involvement and cooperation of these centres are located. In order to local communities and individuals. For this, concentrate resources on those areas that are the development of institutional structures at most vulnerable, the International Union for local levels is necessary. The critical problem the Conservation of Nature and Natural is not merely the conservation of species nor Resources (IUCN) has identified certain areas the habitat but the continuation of process of as biodiversity hotspots (Figure 14.1). conservation. Hotspots are defined according to their The Government of India along with 155 vegetation. Plants are important because these other nations have signed the Convention of determine the primary productivity of an Biodiversity at the Earth Summit held at ecosystem. Most, but not all, of the hotspots Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 1992. The world rely on species-rich ecosystems for food, conservation strategy has suggested the firewood, cropland, and income from timber. following steps for biodiversity conservation: In Madagascar, for example, about 85 per (i) Efforts should be made to preserve cent of the plants and animals are found the species that are endangered. nowhere else in the world, Other hotspots in (ii) Prevention of extinction requires wealthy countries are facing different types proper planning and management. of pressures. The islands of Hawaii have (iii) Varieties of food crops, forage plants, many unique plants and animals that are timbertrees,livestock,animalsandtheir threatened by introduced species and wild relatives should be preserved; land development. Reprint 2026-27