Biodiversity loss is a massive issue for the whole world, especially for India, since it has lost 90 percent of the area under its hotspots. Over the last five decades, 12 percent of mammals, 3 percent of birds, and 19 percent of amphibians have become endangered in India. The extension of the region in the worst-hit hotspot of Indo-Burma has been reduced from 2,373,057 sq km to just 118,653 sq km. Moreover, over twenty-five species have gone defunct in these hotspots.

Many factors have contributed to this unfortunate outcome. The five main reasons happen to be climate change, pollution, invasive species and diseases, overexploitation of species, and habitat loss and degradation. The biggest trigger of biodiversity loss in India has been habitat loss and overexploitation of species. Moreover, pollution and climate change have played a pretty significant role. Pollution and habitat fragmentation, especially from pesticides and insecticides, pose a substantial threat to the biodiversity status of the country. Habitat fragmentation caters to creating small population pockets of animals which leads to inbreeding, consequently affecting the population's viability.

In light of this, various projects are being carried out to prevent further biodiversity loss.

1. Project tiger- Launched by the government of India in 1973 with the support of WWF International. It is one of the most successful conservation programs of a single species globally.
2. Project elephant- Launched in 1992 to ensure the long-term survival of elephants. Since then, it has been implemented in 12 states of India.
3. Crocodile conservation- Crocodiles were on the brink of extinction in the 1960s in India. This program was initiated in 1975 and has been one of the most successful programs in the country.

Some of the essential Indian acts passed related to biodiversity, and the environment are the Forest conservation act 1980, the Air act 1981, and the environment protection act 1986.

SOURCES

1.https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/conservation-of-biodiversity-in-india-1440678523-1

2.India-has-lost-90-per-cent-of-the-area-under-its-biodiversity-hotspots-says-cse-s-new-statistical-analysis-10838

3.https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/land-use-change-major-cause-behind-biodiversity-loss-finds-wwf-report-73315