6.2.7.1. In-situ conservation

A) In-situ conservation: The preservation of species in its natural ecosystem is called in-situ conservation.

In-situ conservation refers to the practice of protecting and preserving species in the environments where they naturally occur. Rather than moving species to different locations, such as zoos or botanical gardens, this method maintains their natural habitats, allowing them to thrive in the ecosystems they are adapted to.

Think of in-situ conservation like a garden. If you simply keep taking plants out of the garden to place them in pots, they might not survive long. But if you care for them in the garden, where they have the right soil, sunlight, and space, they can grow much better.

As a consequence, protected areas are being identified and maintained for natural conservation of species by individual countries.

Countries recognize the importance of conserving biodiversity, leading to the establishment of protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. These areas serve as safe havens for various species, ensuring their survival and promoting ecological balance. Protecting these ecosystems helps maintain the natural processes that are vital for the health of our planet.

Imagine a school that is designed to protect and grow young minds. Just like a school provides an environment that nurtures learning, protected areas create a safe environment for wildlife, helping species survive and thrive.

These are: Tiger Projects: Corbett National Park which is 300 km from New Delhi is the oldest National Park of India having 1318.54 sq km. It was one of the nine Tiger Reserves created at the launch of the Project Tiger in 1973.

One of the significant initiatives for in-situ conservation in India is the Tiger Project, which includes various reserves aimed at protecting tiger populations and their habitats. Corbett National Park, established in 1936 and later designated as a tiger reserve, plays a crucial role in this conservation strategy by providing a secure environment for tigers and promoting biodiversity.

Think of Project Tiger like a special club for tigers where they have their own space, rules, and protection. Just as clubs support members with special interests, Project Tiger helps ensure that these majestic animals can live safely without threats.

Gir Lion Projects: The Gir Forest of Gujarat where lions are found. This has an area of 1412 sq kms and declared as a National Park.

The Gir Lion Project focuses on the conservation of Asiatic lions found only in India. The Gir Forest National Park provides a protected habitat for lions, crucial for their survival, as their populations have been endangered due to habitat loss and hunting in the past.

Imagine a family that builds a safe home for a young child who needs protection. The Gir Lion Project does something similar for Asiatic lions, giving them a secure place to grow, reproduce, and thrive in a habitat meant just for them.

Elephant Projects: The objective was to ensure long-term survival of population of elephants ( not come into operations). Project Elephant (PE), a centrally sponsored scheme, was launched in February 1992 to provide financial and technical support to major elephant bearing States in the country for protection of elephants and their habitats.

Project Elephant was initiated to protect and conserve elephant populations and their habitats. It focuses on various states across India, ensuring that elephants have enough space to roam and resources to survive while minimizing human-elephant conflicts. The project supports legal protections and community awareness to foster a better understanding of the value of elephants in ecosystems.

Consider how a community comes together to protect a cherished family heirloom. Project Elephant acts like a community effort, rallying support to preserve these majestic animals and ensure they have a secure future.

There are about 7000 protected areas in the world which include a variety of National parks, Sanctuaries etc which vary in size (between 100 to 500 sq km), purpose (protection of one or more species and their habitats).. In India, there are 39 National Parks and 492 wildlife sanctuaries.

Globally, there are numerous protected areas established to safeguard biodiversity, which include national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. In India, the focus is on maintaining these protected regions to ensure the survival of various species, contributing to the overall health of the environment.

Think of protected areas like nature’s reserves, similar to how a library preserves many books. Just like a library provides a safe space for books to be stored and read, protected areas help various species and ecosystems thrive safely.

The following measures should be adopted for the conservation of biodiversity: 1. Over grazing in the forest and areas of vegetation should be controlled because it may destroy the useful rare plants. 2. The habitat of plants and animals should be conserved. 3. The natural condition of ecosystem should be studied and researched in time and again, then specific programs for conservation should be conducted. 4. Human activities should be done without destroying natural environment. 5. Illegal hunting and smuggling of animals and plants should be strictly avoided. 6. Effective laws and rules should be adopted for the conservation of rare animals and plants. 7. Industries are established from the raw materials. During the process of collecting raw materials, care should be taken not to destroy useful plants and habitats of animals.

To effectively conserve biodiversity, several measures are essential. This includes managing grazing practices, ensuring habitats are protected, continuously researching ecosystems, regulating human activities, enforcing laws against illegal hunting, and responsibly sourcing industrial raw materials.

Just like a group of friends might set rules for a camping trip to protect nature, these measures serve as 'rules' for how we interact with biodiversity, ensuring we do not disrupt the natural balance and preserve the beauty of our environment.

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