There are many ways in which biodiversity is linked to the

cultural diversity in India. There are numerous links to Indias different

religions, tourist attractions, etc. To start off, India is known for having
one of the largest populations on Earth. Therefore, there is a lot of
cultural diversity found in different parts of that country, as well as a
wide range of biodiversity. India has a range of large mountains (the
Himalayas), perennial rivers, and zones of desert lands. There is also a
great diversity in race, language and religionthere are 6 main ethnic
groups with other 1,652 languages being spoken and 6 different types
of religions being practiced (Mondal 2015). As for biodiversity, there
are three different hotspots: the Western Ghats, the Himalayas and the
IndoBurma region. There is also a wide range of ecozonesdesert,
high mountains, highlands, tropical and temperate forests,
swamplands, plains, grasslands, areas surrounding rivers, as well as
island archipelago (Fauna of India 2014).
With Hinduism being practiced by 80% of Indias population,
there are strong links with this religion and biodiversity. First off, there
are 5 specific animals that are worshipped in this religion and can
found all over the country: cows, elephants, monkeys, snakes, and
tigers. These animals are seen as sacred and vehicles of gods and
deities. Due to the significance of these animals, vegetarianism is
popular in this religion. Also, due to the region you are in, the distinct
flavors of the Hindu cuisine will vary.

There are many aspects of biodiversity that aid to the economic

growth of this country. The major agricultural system that India has,
has benefitted the economy in many ways. There are a lot of exports
that are traded and shipped to other countries for profit. Also, tourism
is another important source of economic growth. The Himalayan
Mountains and the lands great diversity attract many people to India.
There are also major sites of tourism like the Taj Mahal that bring in a
lot of revenue.
Another important way the biodiversity is linked to cultural
diversity is the environment impacts humans have in India. Some of
these issues are: air pollution, poor management of waste, growing
water scarcity, biodiversity loss, preservation and quality of forests,
etc. (Environmental Issues in India 2015). These issues are also one of
the main causes for disease and health issues in India. These issues
are recognized as important because they not only impact the human
population but the ecosystems in India as well. There are many
strategies put in place by the government to support the wildlife of this
countrynational parks, protected areas, protection acts and projects,
etc. Though many of the laws put in place havent had the correct
effect and there are many efforts still being put into place to ensure
that the biodiversity of India is protected.
There are many obstacles to overcome to protect the biodiversity
of India. However, there are still many links between its biodiversity

and the cultural diversity of this country. India is considered the 12

mega biodiverse country in the world. With over 1.25 billion people
living in India and hundreds of different species of animals, India is a
very diverse country.

References
Environmental issues in India. (2015, March 16). Retrieved April 7,
2015, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_issues_in_India
Fauna of India. (2014, December 15). Retrieved April 7, 2015, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fauna_of_India
India: The Land of Mystery and Diversity. (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2015,
from http://culturalawareness.com/india-land-mystery-diversity/
Mondal, P. (n.d.). Essay on the Different Forms of Diversity in India.
Retrieved April 7, 2015, from
http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/india-2/essay-on-the-differentforms-of-diversity-in-india/4001/
The 5 Holy Animals Of India. (n.d.). Retrieved April 7, 2015, from
http://www.walkthroughindia.com/wildlife/the-5-holy-animals-ofindia/