Major Threats to Biodiversity and Threatened Species in Punjab
Last Updated On: 18/02/2015
Major Threats to Biodiversity - Intensive & extensive agriculture with focus on HYVs and exotic breeds
- Lack of appreciation : Treated as free goods of nature
- Habitat destruction & degradation
- Environmental pollution & climate change
- Unsustainable developmental model and urbanization
- Infestation of Invasive Alien Plant Species
- Lack of coordination amongst concerned line departments
Threatened Flora and Fauna of Punjab
Punjab Biodiversity Board in consultation with BSI, ZSI and Forest Deptt. has identified threatened flora and fauna of Punjab:
Floral Species in Punjab
| Sr. No. | Botanical Name | Family | Habit | Status |
| | Angiosperms |
| (i) | Tecomella ndulate (Sm.) Seem | Bignoniaceae | Tree | Endangered |
| (ii) | Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dunal | Solanacea | Shrub | Vulnerable |
| (iii) | Anogeissus sericea Brandis var. nummularia King ex Duthie | Combretaceae | Tree | Endemic & Rare |
| (iv) | Alysicarpus bupleurifolius(L) DC var. hybridus DC | Leguminosae –Papilionoideae | Herb | Endemic |
| (v) | Hibiscus Hoshiarpurensis T.K Paul & M.P Nayar | Malvaceae | Herb | Endemic |
| (vi) | Ceropegia bulbosa Roxb. Var lushii (J.Graham) Hook.f [=Ceropegia lushii(J.Graham) | Aselepiadaceae | Herb | Vulnerable |
| | Pteridophytes |
| (i) | Ophioglossum gramineum Willd. | Ophiglossaceae | Herb | At risk |
| (ii) | Ophioglossum polyphyllum A. Braun ex. Seub. | Ophiglossaceae | Herb | Rare |
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India, 2014
Faunal Species in Punjab
| Sr. No | Common Name | Zoological Name | Threat Category (Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972) |
| | Mammals |
| (i) | Indus River Dolphin | Platanista gangetica ssp minor | Endangerd: Schedule- I |
| | Birds |
| (ii) | White-backed Vulture | Gyps bengalensis Gmelin,1788. | Critically Endangered: In Schedule-I since 2000 |
| (iii) | Sarus Crane | Grus antigone Linnaeus, 1758 | Vulnerable |
| | Reptiles |
| (iv) | Indian Rock Python | Python molurus Linnaeus, 1758 | Endangered |
| (v) | Indian Roofed Turtle | Kachuga tecta Gray, 1830 | Endangered: Schedule-I |
Source: Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India, 2014
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