India is one of the world's most biodiverse nations ? home to Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions, Indian elephants, snow leopards, and one-horned rhinoceroses, spread across ecosystems ranging from Himalayan alpine meadows to tropical rainforests, mangrove deltas, and coral reefs. Yet this extraordinary natural heritage is under serious and accelerating threat. Habitat destruction, poaching, pollution, human-wildlife conflict, and climate change are pushing many of India's most iconic species toward the edge of survival.
In this comprehensive and accessible introduction, author Siva Prasad Bose guides readers through the key concepts, laws, and challenges of wildlife conservation in India. Drawing on ecology, environmental law, and policy, the book covers:
- The principles of conservation and preservation, and how they apply to India's diverse ecosystems
- Major threats to India's wildlife, from deforestation and illegal trade to invasive species and climate change
- Landmark legislation including the Wildlife Protection Act, the Forest Conservation Act, and the Biological Diversity Act
- India's biodiversity hotspots ? the Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, and the Sundarbans
- Flagship species conservation: Project Tiger, Project Elephant, and the recovery of the Asiatic lion
- Protected areas, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries across India
- The role of courts, NGOs, research institutions, and local communities in conservation
- How technology ? from camera traps and drones to AI and satellite imaging ? is transforming wildlife protection
- The future of conservation in a rapidly developing India
Written for the general reader, student, and nature enthusiast alike, this book is an essential guide to understanding why India's wildlife matters ? and what it will take to protect it for generations to come.
