Biodiversity: Values, threats and conservation strategies - A review

Biodiversity conservation is critical to human society’s long-term development. Biodiversity is important in many ways, including improving the aesthetic value of the natural environment and contributing to our material well-being through utilitarian values like food, fodder, fuel, timber and medicine. Despite the benefits of biodiversity, today’s threats to species and ecosystems are on the rise, and nearly all of them are the result of human mismanagement of biological resources. Conserving biodiversity is critical for ensuring intra and intergenerational equity. Reforestation zoological gardens, botanical gardens, national parks, biosphere reserves, germplasm banks and the adoption of breeding techniques, tissue culture techniques and social forestry are some of the existing biodiversity conservation measures. Because of the growing recognition of the value of biodiversity and the rapid rate of loss, it is critical to assess and conserve biodiversity at both the regional and global levels. India has a long conservation history and it should take the lead in developing appropriate methodologies and strategies for biodiversity assessment and conservation with increased input from the government, scientists and non-governmental organisations.