Why this matters now
Hotspots are a Prelims staple (which ones lie in India, the criteria) and a GS-3 anchor for conservation, endemism and habitat loss. They explain why areas like the Western Ghats attract such intense conservation attention.
The concept and criteria
The concept was introduced by Norman Myers (1988). To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two criteria:
- It must contain at least 1,500 species of endemic vascular plants (found nowhere else); and
- It must have lost at least 70% of its original/primary vegetation (i.e., it is threatened).
There are 36 recognised hotspots worldwide.
India’s four biodiversity hotspots
| Hotspot | In India |
|---|---|
| The Himalaya | The entire Indian Himalayan region — high endemism across altitudes |
| Western Ghats & Sri Lanka | The Western Ghats along the west coast — exceptional amphibian and plant endemism |
| Indo-Burma | North-East India (east of the Brahmaputra) and the eastern Himalayan foothills |
| Sundaland | The Nicobar Islands (part of the Sundaland hotspot) |
India as a megadiverse country
India is one of the 17 megadiverse countries that together hold most of the Earth’s species. It hosts a large share of global species despite being ~2.4% of land area, with rich endemism in the Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalaya. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and the National Biodiversity Authority frame India’s conservation response.
UPSC angle
Memorise the four (Himalaya, Western Ghats & Sri Lanka, Indo-Burma, Sundaland/Nicobar) and the two criteria (≥1,500 endemic plants AND ≥70% habitat lost). Note the Nicobar link to Sundaland.
Frequently asked questions
How many biodiversity hotspots are in India?
Four — the Himalaya, the Western Ghats & Sri Lanka, Indo-Burma, and Sundaland (the Nicobar Islands).
What are the criteria for a biodiversity hotspot?
A region must have at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species and must have lost at least 70% of its original vegetation.
Who coined the term biodiversity hotspot?
The ecologist Norman Myers, in 1988.
Why is the Western Ghats a hotspot?
For its exceptional endemism — especially of amphibians and flowering plants — combined with significant habitat loss; it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.