Paper: GS – III, Subject: Environment and Ecology, Topic: Biodiversity and Conservation, Issue: IUCN – Western Ghats.
Context:
The IUCN’s World Heritage Outlook 4 (2025) report warns of the declining health of key South Asian Natural World Heritage sites, notably India’s Western Ghats, Manas, and Sundarbans National Parks.
Key Takeaways:
Why has IUCN red-flagged the Western Ghats?
Status in the Report: The Western Ghats, along with Manas and Sundarbans, have been categorized as sites of “significant concern” one level below the “critical” category.
- This indicates that while conservation values still persist, urgent corrective measures are needed to prevent irreversible ecological loss.
Four Main Threats Identified by IUCN in South Asia:
The World Heritage Outlook 4 attributes the loss of habitats and species in South Asia to four key threats:
Climate Change:
- Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and altered monsoon patterns affect ecosystems.
- Species are forced to migrate to higher altitudes, disrupting ecological balance.
Tourism Pressure:
- Unregulated tourism leads to waste accumulation, disturbance to wildlife, and habitat degradation.
- In the Western Ghats, elephants often ingest garbage left by tourists, increasing human-wildlife conflict.
Invasive Alien Species:
- Non-native species like eucalyptus and acacia, introduced during the colonial period, have spread widely.
- These species outcompete native flora, degrade soil, and reduce biodiversity.
Infrastructure and Roads:
- Roads, highways, and hydropower projects fragment habitats and increase forest loss.
Threats and Conservation Status of Key Indian Natural Sites:
The IUCN’s warning underscores the urgent need for science-based conservation to protect the Western Ghats’ fragile biodiversity from escalating human and climate pressures, ensuring sustainable preservation for future generations.
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