Endangered

For many reasons—hunting, poaching, loss of habitat, human encroachment—a large segment of India’s glorious wildlife is on the verge of dying out. Here are 20 endangered species to catch a glimpse of before it’s too late.

- Bijoy Venugopal

The geographical boundaries of India harbour nearly 8 percent of the planet’s mammals, 12.6 percent of its birdlife, 6.2 percent of its reptiles, nearly 4.5 percent of its amphibians and 11.7 percent of its fish species. Yet, despite this cornucopia of biodiversity, the cynosure of most tourists’ eyes is one species—the Royal Bengal Tiger. Wisely enough, in 1973, the apologists of Project Tiger picked the most charismatic species for its campaign. It was a vital decision that rescued many critical wildlife corridors. Since the tiger was the apex predator, the protection accorded to the national animal also benefited other species that shared its range. Ecosystems threatened by poaching, ambitious hydroelectric and thermal power projects, mining and deforestation were granted a new lease of life. In a few years it will be half a century since Project Tiger was initiated, but multiple forces conspire to threaten India’s wildlife even as the hourglass runs out. As journalist Jay Mazoomdar observed in his book, The Age of Endlings, this is fated to be an era of extinctions.