Biodiversity in India : Status, Issues and Challenges

This contributed book is based on the current status of biodiversity in India, issues and challenges faced by the authorities involved in conservation efforts, and the imperative role of various direct and indirect stakeholders in biodiversity conservation. The book discusses the current status of different forms of biodiversity in India, challenges faced by stakeholders, issues and reasons for biodiversity losses, and efforts by government through various laws, policies, and programs in a concise and comprehensive manner throughout its many chapters. In this way, readers can access diverse information on Indian biodiversity through this book. It is compiled by leading experts in the field of conservation. In 18 chapters, it covers biodiversity of both fauna and flora, on land and in aquatic ecosystems, legal and policy aspects, as well as innovative conservation tool and techniques. It is useful for undergraduates and graduate students and also educates policy planners, bureaucrats, foresters, and researchers in India and abroad.

Shalinder Kaur, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the department of Botany, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. She is recipient of KK Nanda Gold Medal for Best Thesis in Plant Sciences by Panjab University, and Junior Scientist Award by National Environment Science Academy, India.

D.R. Batish, PhD is a Professor, and former Chairperson of the Botany Department at Panjab University, Chandigarh. She has the honour of getting Rajib Goyal Young Scientist Award and University Grants Commission’s Research Award. In addition, she is recipient of V. Puri Memorial Award of Indian Science Congress Association, given to a distinguished scientist of the country and conferred with the fellowship from International Society of Environmental Botanists, Lucknow. She has also served as Visiting Faculty at the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand twice and is deputy coordinator of IUFRO Working group 8.02.04 on Ecology of Alien Invasive Species.

H.P. Singh, PhD is Professor, and former Chairperson of the Department of Environment Studies at Panjab University, Chandigarh. He had been post-doctoral researcher at National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Thailand; and visiting faculty at the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. He is the recipient of the Shiv Nath Rai Kohli Best Mid-Career Award, Young Scientist Awards by Indian Science Congress Association, Dalela Educational Trust, and Punjab Academy of Sciences.

Ravinder Kohli Ph.D., FNA, FASc, FNASc, FNAAS, FPASc, FBS is a certified Emeritus Senior Ecologist ESA, USA. Currently, the Vice-Chancellor of Amity University, Punjab, he is JC Bose National Fellow of the Government of India. Before this, he had been the Vice-chancellor of Central University of Punjab for 6 years and the DUI and Dean Research at Panjab University, Chandigarh. He had been the coordinator of IUFRO Working Group 8.02.04 on Ecology of Alien Invasive Species for 10 years. He is recipient of the Best Scientist Award of the Haryana Government and Punjab Ratan, and was honoured by the Government of UT Chandigarh for teaching and research in Environment. He has guided 53 PhD theses on Ecology and Environment.