5 Lesser Known Threatened Species Found Only in Indian Subcontinent
India is one of the world’s mega bio-diverse countries – while we have less than 2.5 percent of the world’s area, we’re home to about 8 percent of the world’s species. It is also home to 4 of the world’s 25 biodiversity hotspots. Essentially, this means that while we’re rich in biodiversity, we’re also losing it at a rapid rate. The most threatened species of India includes Namdapha Flying Squirrel,fish-eating crocodile and Great Indian Bustard.
Namdapha Flying Squirrel, Arunachal Pradesh
Namdapha Flying Squirrel is the sole species of Biswamoyopterus endemic to northeastern India. The arboreal and nocturnal flying squirrel known habitat is tall Mesua ferrea jungles in Namdapha National Park on the western slope of Patkai range area in the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot.
Gharial, Chambal River
Gharial also known as fish-eating crocodile is one of the three crocodilians native to Indian subcontinent. It is one of the globally threatened species and listed as critically endangered crocodile because of loss of riverine habitat and entanglement in fishing nets.
Great Indian Bustard, Rajasthan
Great Indian Bustard is the state bird of Rajasthan and among the heaviest of the flying birds of the Indian subcontinent. The species is listed as critically endangered by illegal hunting and loss of habitat,as few as only 250 individuals were left in the wild.
Wayanad Mahseer, South India
Neolissochilus wynaadensis is an endemic species of fish, restricted to the Wayanad region of Kerala and surrounding areas in South India. Endangered Wayanad mahseer population has been rapidly decline by fisnihg and illegal hunting for food that occurs in the streams and rivers of the southern region.
Dattatreya Night Frog, Karnataka
Nyctibatrachus dattatreyaensis is one of the species critically endangered frog,found only in the vicinity of Manikyadhara Falls within the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary of Chickmagalur district in Karnataka. Dattatreya night frog is the most amazing night frog in India and found only in the part of the Western Ghats.
