• Biological diversity means the "variability among living organisms form all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic  ecosystems  and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems". (Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992).

 

• India is exceptionally rich in biodiversity because its tropical locations, varied physical features and climate and is one of 12 mega-biodiversity centers of the world.

 

• The country is divided in to 10 biogeographically zones and 25 biotic provinces representing all major eco-systems.

 

• According to the Economic and Statistical Advisor, Govt of Punjab (2007), India has a recorded forest area of 69.66 million hectare or 21.19% of the total geographic area of the country.

 

• Indian biodiversity represent 7% of world’s flora and 6.5% of world’s fauna with 45000 species of plants and 81000 species of animals, of which 3% Indian flora and 62% Indian fauna is endemic (Chakarborty, 2004).

 

• The area falls under forests in Punjab is very small. It is 6.07 % of the total geographical area of the state and about one fourth of the average percentage for the country (21.19%).

 

• The major forest area in the state is the Shivalik forests located in the districts of Hoshiarpur (36%), Gurdaspur (12.33), and Roopnager (12.33%) whereas the others districts have very small area under the forests (Economic and Statistical Advisor,2007). Bir Forests occur mainly in district Patiala & Sangrur and Mand areas with natural vegetation around wetlands.

• The state is divided in three biogeographic zones:

• The central alluvial plains which comprise the major cropland areas besides wetlands (the state has three Ramsar sites) and small patches of natural forests in form of ‘birs’ and ‘rakhs’.

 

• The northeastern Shivalik foothills which comprise 18% area in the state consisting of over 3% forest area, rest being rainfed and partially terraced fields.

 

• The southwestern dry zone with saline alkaline patches.

• Biological diversity in the agricultural fields and the livestock reared by farmers is as important as that in the wild. However, over the years diversity in the cropland ecosystem has reduced due to change in cropping pattern and higher dependence on certain high yielding varieties of crops.

 

• The biodiversity can be divided in to domestic and wild biodiversity.

 

References