A world of biodiversity!

Biodiversity is the diverse and varied life forms present in our planet. Conserving biodiversity is a crucial element for sustaining our environment. India is one of the 12 mega bio-diversity countries in the world. One might think, in a country where poverty and social issues dominate, is it a feasible option to be focusing on biodiversity? No matter how many issues we face, environment always lies in the foundation level of our ecosystem. Our life system depends on it. Biodiversity completes an ecosystem. We must understand its significance as even a slight imbalance can create havoc.

   The scenario in India is no different from the world’s. With more and more species on the verge of extinction, it is a great matter of concern for us. The tiger which was once aplenty in India, now survives in mere hundreds due to the extensive poaching and hunting. The tiger is just one example. Hundreds of other animal species are critically vulnerable to extinction like the Asian Elephant, Asiatic Lion, Indian Rhinocerous, Dhole, Himalayan wolf and so on. Similarly, there are plant species whose numbers are extensively reducing in the wild. This list probably only includes the wildlife which comes under the visible spectrum. While the extinction of large species can be confirmed, the status of smaller species of plants and animals is harder to determine. The flora and fauna species which are small and miniscule are sometimes considered insignificant. What we do not realise is the fundamental role small beings play in our lives. The smallest of the small creatures have their own roles to play in an ecosystem. Aerial insects play a vital role in pollination and many kinds of worms fertilise the soil. Even bacterial forms of life cannot be exempted. After all they were the first life forms on earth!

Odonates consist of dragonflies (Anisoptera) and damselflies (Zygoptera). They are among the most intriguing species on earth. Yet they have not been properly recorded or studied in depth in India. As we study more about them, we are sure to be more concerned about their welfare. And this is an effort by a student team to accomplish exactly that on a smaller scale...