Three Animals Species Including Cheetah Extinct In India, Research Blames Desertification

Humans activities are not only leading to the upheaval that is climate change but is hurting our wildlife like never before. The latest example of such a human-caused disaster is the extinction of three species of animals – Indian Cheetah, pink-headed duck, and the Great Indian Bustard in India. Researchers blame the rapid rate of desertification for their extinction.

The researchers at the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 14) on September 8 said that these specimens have reduced to less than 150 and the matter is of great concern.

Kailash Chandra, Director of The Zoological Survey of India, told the media that the collected database of more than 5.6 million specimens from all over India and neighbouring countries before independence reveals a stark change.

“If you see their distribution in geo-special platforms, you’ll realise how much changes have occurred because of the impact of deforestation and desertification,” he added.

He said that apart from the above-mentioned animals, many others are on the verge of becoming extinct and fall into the category of critically endangered species.

Chandra blamed the industries, chemicals, conversion of agricultural land, use of excessive pesticides and insecticides for rapid desertification.

“Everything has to be regulated so that it could be minimised and we can reverse this process back,” he added.

The negative impact of desertification is not only confined to animals but the entire biodiversity which ranges from microscopic animals to human beings.

At the conference, it was revealed that India is facing severe land degradation. It was said In the forum that more than 30 per cent of the land area in the country has degraded due to over-cultivation, deforestation, depletion of wetlands, and soil erosion. Researchers also said that the trend of degradation is happening all across the world.

Also Read: One Million Species Face Threat Of Extinction, Says UN Report