Which of the following regions of our country is known as a "HotSpot of Biodiversity"?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — B, Western Ghats. The Western Ghats (together with Sri Lanka) is one of the world's recognised biodiversity hotspots — a region with exceptionally high species richness and endemism that has also lost a large share of its original vegetation. Running along India's west coast, it holds hundreds of endemic plant and animal species and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) An arid desert region with low species richness and endemism — it does not meet the hotspot criteria of exceptional biodiversity under severe threat.  (c) A discontinuous, drier hill system on India's east coast — ecologically important in patches but not one of India's internationally recognised biodiversity hotspots.  (d) A vast semi-arid plateau covering peninsular India — not classified as a biodiversity hotspot.

Concept: A 'biodiversity hotspot' (a term coined by ecologist Norman Myers) is a region with both exceptional species richness/endemism and severe habitat loss — to qualify, it must hold at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species and have lost 70% or more of its original vegetation. India has four recognised hotspots: the Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Sundaland (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), and the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka.

State PCS 2022 Q6 — Environment & Ecology PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2022 Q6 — Environment & Ecology PYQ with Answer