Eastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot
The Eastern Himalayas are known as a global biodiversity hotspot, due to their high uniqueness and richness in species diversity and endemism, which includes parts of Bhutan, Nepal, Arunachal Pradesh and India, with an estimated 10,000 species of plants, including approximately 3160 endemic.
Some details include:
Location and Extent:
– The Eastern Himalayas, which are a part of the Greater Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, includes a region stretching across Bhutan, Nepal, southeast Tibet (China), northern Myanmar and the Indian territories of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Sikkim.
Biodiversity:
• Flora: The region has a large number of plant species compared to other areas, with an estimated 10,000 species including 3160 endemic.
• Fauna: The Eastern Himalayas also has a rich diversity of fauna, including endangered species such as Bengali tigers, Asian elephants, one-horned rhinos, and many bird species.
• Endemic Species: The Eastern Himalayas is a center of speciation, with lots of endemic species, including many plants, birds and mammals.
Environmental Threats:
Biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas is threatened by deforestation, habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution, climate change, and poaching.
• Conservation Initiatives:
Given the importance of this region, there are many conservation efforts that have been put in place to protect the biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas, including protected areas or conservation areas that include community-based conservation strategies.
Aspects of the Eastern Himalayas:
• Geological and Climate Influences: The biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas is influenced by various geological, climate and altitudinal conditions.
• Complex Topography: The highly complex topography found in the Eastern Himalayas supports their rich biodiversity.
• Bridging Zones: The Eastern Himalayas represents the transitional zone between the Palearctic and the Indo-Malayan zoogeographic realms, allowing for a unique mix of species.