While the Bengal tiger often steals the spotlight in wildlife conservation, India is also home to a rich variety of other charismatic and endangered species. From the rare Indian wild ass galloping across salt flats to the regal Asiatic lion prowling the forests of Gujarat, each species faces unique challenges. In addition to iconic mammals, several endangered bird species call India home, highlighting the need for broad conservation efforts. Let’s take a closer look at five of India’s most endangered species, the threats they face, and the efforts that are helping to save them from extinction.
- Indian Wild Ass (Khur)
Found exclusively in the Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, the Indian wild ass (Khur) is one of the few remaining members of the wild horse family in Asia. These striking animals, known for their speed and stamina, face challenges such as habitat loss due to salt mining, agriculture, and human encroachment. Poaching for meat and hide, though less common today, also posed a significant threat in the past.
Conservation efforts in the form of establishing the Wild Ass Sanctuary in the Little Rann of Kutch have proven highly successful. Protection measures, habitat restoration, and a reduction in human activities in the sanctuary have helped the Indian wild ass population grow from less than 1,000 in the 1960s to around 6,000 individuals today.
- Blackbuck
The blackbuck, a graceful antelope native to the grasslands and plains of India, once faced severe population declines due to hunting and habitat loss. Their distinctive spiraled horns made them a prized target for hunters, while agricultural expansion reduced their grassland habitats.
However, concerted conservation efforts, particularly in parks like Velavadar National Park in Gujarat, have led to a significant recovery. The population of blackbucks has stabilized, and they are no longer on the verge of extinction, although habitat fragmentation continues to be a concern. Community-driven conservation programs, particularly those involving local villagers and sustainable tourism, have played a critical role in their revival.
- Asiatic Lion
The Asiatic lion is perhaps India’s most famous conservation success story, although their population remains critically endangered. Found only in the Gir National Park in Gujarat, Asiatic lions once roamed from Greece to India. By the early 20th century, excessive hunting and habitat loss reduced their numbers to less than 20 individuals. Today, thanks to strict protection under Project Lion, their numbers have grown to over 675 lions.
The biggest challenge for the Asiatic lion is the lack of genetic diversity and the danger of disease or natural disasters wiping out the entire population. Efforts are currently underway to relocate some lions to other sanctuaries like Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh to ensure long-term survival and reduce the risks posed by having all lions in a single location.
- Snow Leopard
The elusive snow leopard, also known as the “ghost of the mountains,” roams the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas, particularly in areas like Spiti Valley and Ladakh. Snow leopards are perfectly adapted to their cold, mountainous habitats, but they face serious threats from poaching, habitat degradation, and retaliatory killings due to livestock predation.
Conservation organizations, like the Snow Leopard Trust and Nature Conservation Foundation, have been working closely with local communities to mitigate human-wildlife conflict by compensating farmers for livestock losses and encouraging sustainable tourism. As a result of these efforts, snow leopard sightings have increased, and although exact population growth numbers are difficult to determine due to their elusive nature, conservation efforts have significantly improved local attitudes toward this endangered species.
- One-Horned Rhinoceros
The greater one-horned rhinoceros, or Indian rhino, once roamed vast areas across northern India and Nepal. However, by the early 20th century, rampant poaching for their horns, which are highly valued in traditional medicine, reduced their population to fewer than 200 individuals. Today, their numbers have rebounded to around 3,700, thanks to focused conservation efforts, particularly in Kaziranga National Park in Assam.
Kaziranga is now home to two-thirds of the world’s Indian rhino population, and its success is largely attributed to strict anti-poaching measures, habitat management, and community involvement. Despite this success, the Indian rhino still faces threats from habitat loss and poaching, and ongoing efforts are required to secure their future.
The Role of Communities and Conservation in India’s Success
Across India, the success stories of these endangered species are rooted in community involvement and sustainable tourism. Local communities have played a critical role in conservation by participating in habitat restoration, anti-poaching initiatives, and ecotourism programs. For example, community-led programs in Spiti Valley have successfully reduced human-snow leopard conflict, while the people of Gujarat take pride in coexisting with the Asiatic lions of Gir.
Through initiatives like Project Tiger, Project Lion, and the creation of numerous wildlife sanctuaries and protected areas, India has shown that conservation efforts can yield impressive results. But the journey is far from over, and continued efforts are needed to ensure the survival of these species in the face of climate change, human encroachment, and other modern threats.
