Overview
Across the globe, species are being rescued from extinction. In India, the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats scheme is helping 24 identified species recover. Recent successes include a Great Indian Bustard chick hatching in Gujarat after a decade, rising vulture numbers, and an increase in Asiatic lion population in Gujarat.
Key Developments (2024‑2026)
- Great Indian Bustard chick hatched in Kutch, Gujarat – first in ten years.
- Vulture census in Madhya Pradesh rose to 12,981 in 2025 from 8,397 in 2019.
- Asiatic lion numbers grew from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025.
- Project Nilgiri Tahr recorded 1,364 individuals in 2026, up from 1,303 in 2025.
- Snow leopard population in India estimated at 718 in 2024.
- National Red List Roadmap aims to publish Red Data Books for all species by 2030.
- Phoenix Species Project pledged $200 million in 2026 to rescue 100 world‑threatened species.
Important Facts
India occupies only 2.4% of the world’s land but harbours nearly 8% of its flora and 7.5% of its fauna. Of the 7,516 animal species assessed for the IUCN Red List, 1,012 are threatened. The assessments cover just 7.2% of documented animal species, highlighting a data gap that the National Red List aims to close.
State‑level actions include:
- Project Nilgiri Tahr – surveys, radio‑collaring, habitat mapping.
- Vulture breeding at Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre (Haryana) and coordinated surveys in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka.
- Dugong conservation reserve in Palk Bay (Tamil Nadu) covering 448.34 km²; baseline of 270 dugongs established in 2026.
- Snow leopard monitoring by women in Kibber, Himachal Pradesh, using camera traps.
- Community‑based rhino protection in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam.
Exam Relevance
Understanding these programmes helps answer GS‑4 questions on biodiversity, conservation policy, and the role of federal‑state coordination. The IUCN framework and India’s National Red List are frequently cited in reports on climate‑change adaptation and sustainable development. The data also illustrate how budgetary allocations, community participation, and scientific monitoring translate policy into on‑ground outcomes – a classic example for GS‑3 (Governance) and GS‑5 (Security) discussions on environmental security.
Way Forward
1. **Scale up assessments** – expand Red List coverage beyond the current 7.2% to identify hidden threats.
2. **Ensure stable financing** – replicate the Endangered Species Conservation Fund model across more states and link it to the Phoenix Species Project’s global pool.
3. **Strengthen community incentives** – continue compensation schemes for dugong‑bycatch and promote livelihood‑friendly habitat management.
4. **Integrate science with policy** – place field‑based research units within forest departments for rapid decision‑making.
5. **Monitor and adapt** – set clear, time‑bound targets with measurable indicators for each species, and review annually in state budgets.
Consistent effort, scientific rigor, and community ownership are the pillars that will keep India’s flagship species on a recovery trajectory.