Telangana is celebrating its 10th formation day, and The Hans India is looking at the work of the Telangana State Biodiversity Board. The Board is responsible for preserving the diverse range of plants and animals in Telangana, which includes agricultural areas, forests, wastelands, water bodies, and wetlands. Telangana has over 2,000 plant species and 5,757 animal species.
The Telangana State Biodiversity Board is working on a State Biodiversity Action Plan with the Centre for Innovation in Public Systems (CIPS). They have established over 13,000 Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in local areas. Ameenpur Lake has been declared a biodiversity heritage site.
The Board has documented 171 bird species, 250 plant species, 9 fish species, 26 aquatic beetles, 41 butterfly species, 33 invertebrate species, 12 amphibians, 13 reptiles, and 9 wild animal species. They have conservation projects like the “Mannanur Cattle” project in collaboration with WASSAN NGO.
Telangana State has threatened flora and fauna. There are 6 endemic species, 25 vulnerable species, 18 endangered species, and 13 critically endangered species of flora. The common threats to flora are habitat loss, over-collection, and livestock grazing. There are 5 vulnerable species of fish, 2 endangered species, 1 critically endangered species, and 3 data-deficient species. Amphibians are 100 percent vulnerable species. Reptiles have 25 vulnerable species, 3 endangered species, and 8 critically endangered species. Birds have 2 critically endangered species, 6 endangered species, 11 vulnerable species, and 1 data-deficient species. Mammals have 20 vulnerable species, 1 endangered species, and 1 critically endangered species.
The common threats to biodiversity are habitat loss, fragmentation, pollution, overfishing, draining of water bodies, and encroachment by humans.
