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SR Vol.47 [2010] >
SR Vol.47(05) [May 2010] >
| Title: | Protecting the Wild Beauties |
| Authors: | Ramasubbu, R |
| Issue Date: | May-2010 |
| Publisher: | CSIR |
| Abstract: | India is rich in wild ornamental plants. But the current serious
genetic erosion of wild plants demands urgent measures to be taken to conserve
as many diverse plants in as large areas as possible.The wild is home to innumerable plants, animals,
microbes and their associates, many of which are enormously beneficial to us.
However, unsustainable management practices and over exploitation of forest
resources have adversely affected forest areas of the world, especially in the
tropical regions. Besides, population growth, increasing agriculture, over
exploitation of non-wood forest products, and road construction have created
great stress on forest ecosystems resulting in loss of biodiversity in forest
areas.
Biological diversity of
India is among the most significant and richest in the world. With just over
two percent of the world’s landmass (329 millions hectares), it has about seven
per cent of living resources, one third of which are land bounded. As many as
45,000 species of plants have so far been recorded from here. Further, it is
estimated that 5,285 species of angiosperms belonging to 140 genera are endemic
to the country. |
| Page(s): | 19-22 |
| ISSN: | 0036-8512 |
| Source: | SR Vol.47(05) [May 2010]
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