Why is wildlife important? 

WILDLIFE

The animal world is broadly classified as domesticated animals and wildlife. Humans use domestic animal species for their livelihood. At the same time, wildlife consists of animals that are not being used for direct human benefit and exist in nature on land, air, and water. 

Distribution of Wildlife

Wildlife can be found in all ecosystems. Deserts, forests, plains, snow-covered regions, and other areas, including the most developed areas, all have distinct forms of wildlife.

Animals have preferred areas of habitation which are conducive to their natural survival. They are naturally adapted to living and surviving in the geographical conditions of those places.

Animals live in the habitat most suited to them. Human settlements are increasingly occupying these areas. To preserve the natural heritage of wildlife, sanctuaries or protected areas are being developed by all countries to have a healthy and safe environment for these species of nature. The world over, special efforts are being made to preserve animals and plants which are going extinct due to the changing climate. There are nearly 11,000 species of animals that have been declared as 'endangered species.

Wildlife in India

India is a country that has a variety of animals and birds. The animal world in India includes nearly all types of animals, excluding those which need extreme cold climates to survive. The animals are found in large numbers in areas that are more conducive for their living.

The southern regions of India, especially Kerala and Karnataka, have elephants. The Indian elephant is different from the ones in Africa as the Indian elephant has smaller ears and is slightly smaller than those of Africa.

The Gir forest region of Gujarat is famous for its lions. The Indian tiger is mainly found in Bengal, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.

Rhinoceros and hippopotamus are mainly found in Assam. The Odisha coast is famous for turtle hatcheries. The dry regions of Rajasthan have camels and many varieties of deer and nilgai. The hills of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu, and Kashmir are famous for bears and leopards. The marshy areas have plenty of types of monkeys, crocodiles, and other reptiles. A large variety of birds are also found across the Indian countryside.

Importance of Wildlife 

Wildlife plays an essential role in the ecological and biological processes that are significant to life. The biosphere's functioning is based on a constant interaction amongst animals, plants, and microorganisms. This, in turn, maintains and enhances human life further. In addition to these, the ecological processes are vital for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and other endeavors that support human life. Besides, there are several biological processes wherein wildlife plays a key role, such as pollination, germination, seed dispersal, soil generation, nutrient cycling, predation, habitat maintenance, waste breakdown, and pest control.

An ecosystem can be defined as a complex relationship between all the living resources and residents of an area. This would include all forms of life animals, plants, fish, birds, microorganisms, people and the non-living-air, water, soil, etc. All these are interdependent, and if anyone disappears, it would have an impact on the other.

Germination is when a plant emerges from a seed or spore and begins its growth. However, this growth is related to the availability of other things like water, air, manure, Soil nutrients, minerals, etc.

REASONS FOR THE LOSS OF NATURAL VEGETATION AND WILDLIFE

Several human activities and natural factors are responsible for the loss of natural vegetation and wildlife, which take thousands of years to replenish. Some of these areas given below:

1.Human interferences like construction activities and expanding into the forest for want of space or setting up industries

2. Deforestation leads to extensive loss of vegetation and wildlife. The forests that take hundreds of years to build get destroyed in just a few months by human activities. It also disturbs the natural habitats of several birds and animals.

3.Soil erosion. Soil erosion causes loss to vegetation and animal life.

4.Forest fires bring widespread damage. Not only do the forests and wildlife get destroyed, but also the natural habitats of various wildlife animals get destroyed, making them even more vulnerable.

5. Natural disasters like tsunami and landslides change the habitats and bring enormous damage, which may take hundreds and thousands of years to build again.

6.Poaching of wildlife animals for collection and illegal trades of hides, skin, nails, teeth, horns, and feathers.