The Species Only Found in India are Now at Risk!

Every year on the third Friday of the month of May, Endangered Species Day is observed to protect species at risk. This is the 20th annual Endangered Species Day and also marks 50 years of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This day is observed to preserve and safeguard the plants, animals, and birds. In order to conserve the endangered species on our land, we have a list of species only found in India that are now sadly becoming extinct.

Endangered Animals

1. The Gaur

The Gaur or Indian Bison is a species of animal that is indigenous to India. It has been listed as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List since 1986. It is the tallest species of wild cattle found in India. These strong and massive dark brown creatures prefer to stay in evergreen and moist deciduous forests. They are protected in some of the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of India, like Nagarhole, Bandipur, Kabini, Masinagudi, and BR Hills in Karnataka.

2. The Great Indian Rhinoceros

The great Indian Rhinoceros, or Indian Rhinoceros, or simply called Rhino, is another animal of Indian origin. This big creature has thick grey-brown skin with pinkish skin folds and one horn on its snout. They once were found in large numbers in the Northern part of India along the Brahmaputra, Indus, and Ganges river basins, but now are listed on the IUCN Red List. The Rhinos mostly live in the grassland and wetland regions of India, Assam habitating the highest number, with more than 85% of the highest population in Kaziranga National Park. Other places where they can be found are Pobitara WLS, Orang NP, Manas NP in Assam, Jaldapara NP and Gorumara NP in West Bengal and Dudhwa NP in Uttar Pradesh. 

3. Nilgai

Nilgai, literally translated as 'Blue Cow,' belongs to the antelope family and is the largest of all in Asia. This animal is categorised as the 'least concerned in India' by the IUCN List of Threatened Species, and approximately 10,000 of them are left in the country (according to Byju's). This bluish-grey animal is known to survive in dry areas like grassy, steppe woodlands and hillsides. They are mostly found in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and the Himalayas. Gir, Bandhavgarh, and Kanha are some National Parks where they are preserved.

Imperil Birds

1. White-Bellied Heron

Another critically endangered species in the list of birds is the White Bellied Heron or Imperial Heron. The bird has dark grey wings, a pale throat patch, and a white belly. Mostly found in broadened forests and foothills of mountains, this species comes under the top 50 endangered species in the world. While the exact number is uncertain, it is believed that only 70 to 400 of them are left on the entire globe. In India, it was seen in the Kamlang Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh a few years ago. Assam and the foothills of the Himalayas are some of the places where you can get a rare sight of them.

2. Great Indian Bustard

The Great Indian Bustard or Indian Bustard is a brownish-yellow bird with a black crown on the forehead and pale wings. They are listed as 'critically endangered species' on the IUCN list. The bustards are bound to live in grasslands and steppe regions as they are one of the heaviest birds to fly. The Indian government runs various projects to conserve this species. Under one such scheme, 'Project Great Indian Bustard', they are kept in the DNP (Desert National Park) Sanctuary in Rajasthan. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh are other states where they are found in limited numbers.

3. Jerdon's Courser

Jerdon's Courser, named after British zoologist Thomas C. Jerdon, is yet another 'critically endangered species' in the IUCN's Red List. It is a nocturnal bird (meaning it usually comes out at night) and likes to stay in lightly grazed and open areas. This little bird has shades of brown on its body with a black bill. It is only found in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and was last seen in the Sri Lankamaleshwara Wildlife Sanctuary in 1900, as reported by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department.

'Need To Conserve' Plants

1. Ebony Tree

Ebony Tree, or East Indian Ebony, is native to India and Sri Lanka. The tree was once found in abundance in the country and is now listed on the Endangered List by the IUCN. It is a species of flowering tree in the family Ebenaceae and mostly grows in semi-deciduous and evergreen forests. These trees are found in the southern part of India.

2. Assam Catkin Yew

Assam Catkin Yew, or known as Amentotaxus Assamica scientifically, is a species of conifer in the family Taxaceae. It is a shrubby tree with a nut-like seed that is reddish-pink. The plant is endangered due to its low reproduction rate. They are mostly found in the moist deciduous forest of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, including the hills of Turoo, Delei Valley, and the hills of Dafla.

3. Glory Lily

Malabar Lily, or better known as Glory Lily, is one of the rarest flowers. The Leaves of the flower are bright green and lance-shaped. The bright pink colour makes it very attractive. They mostly grow in open sunny areas and are cultivated in Tamil Nadu to protect against their extinction. They are naturally found in the Himalayas, Western Ghats, and North East India.