Ex-situ and In-situ conservation of biodiversity

Ex-situ conservation

Ex-situ conservation is the off-site conservation of components of a natural assortment outside their natural surroundings. The part of the residents from a susceptible habitat is detached and located in a new locality, which may be a rough area or inside the care of individuals like a zoo, imprisoned breeding house, etc.

Benefits of Ex-Situ Conservation

·         It provides extensive lifetime and breeding action to animals.

·         Hereditary practices can be utilised in the process.

·         Genetic variety can be dignified.

·         The healthiness of people can be checked and medical support can be prearranged.

·         A careful breeding programme can be set into place.

·         Conservation sites can be used for training.

Drawbacks of Ex-Situ Conservation

·         Does not save a species from death.

·         Favourable situations may not be preserved continuously.

·         Exclusive with cryogenic storage and recent reproductive systems.

·         This method includes only a few species.

·         Animals can be unprotected from several diseases.

·         The captive population have inadequate genetic diversity.

Approaches for Ex-Situ Conservation

Several approaches can be applied for ex-situ preservation of animals:

·         Acceptance of diverse ex-situ methods of preservation.

·         Innovative expertise in the service of threatened species.

·         Animal reinstatement.

·         Animal translocation.

·         Identification of species to be preserved.

·   Durable imprisoned breeding and proliferation for the species which have lost their habitats lastingly.

·         Interim proliferation and release of the animals in their ordinary environment.

Examples of Ex-Situ Conservation for Animals

·         Conservation Breeding of Asiatic Lion at Gir National Park, Junagarh, Gujarat.

·         Conservation Breeding of Crocodiles at Nanadankanan Zoological Park, Odisha.

·         Conservation Breeding of Brow Antlered Deer at Alipore Zoo.

·         Conservation Breeding of Pigmy at Besistha, Guwahati, Assam.

·         Conservation Breeding of Red Panda at Darjeeling Zoological gardens.

·         Conservation Breeding of Snow Leopard at Darjeeling Zoological gardens.

In-situ conservation

In-situ conservation is the on-site preservation that means the preservation of species in their normal habitats. It is the progression of protecting a rare animal species in its normal habitat, either by caring or restoring the habitat itself or by protecting the species from hunters.

Benefits of In-Situ Conservation

·         An inexpensive and appropriate way of preserving biological assortment.

·         Biodiversity is lastingly protected.

·         Simplifies technical research on the site.

·         Comprises elevation of natural system or atmosphere to take care of its self.

·         Natural and cultural inheritance is well protected.

·         Offers a way to reserve a large number of animals concurrently, known or unknown to us.

Drawbacks of In-Situ Conservation

·         Diseases may intimidate the animals.

·         Rare habitats may be splinted, so the area may not be sufficient for the existence of species.

·         Genetic variety may have already been intensely reduced.

·         Includes minimizing or excluding human activity.

·         Thieves and ecotourists may cause harm to species.

·     Needs a large area which is often tough because of the increasing demand for space by human beings

Examples of In-Situ Conservation

1.      Protected Areas: Protected areas are those in which human occupation or at least the exploitation of resources is limited. The protection and management of biodiversity through in-situ conservation involve certain specific areas are known as protected areas which include Biosphere reserves, Community reserves, Conservation reserves, National parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

2.     Biosphere Reserves: Biosphere assets or natural reserves are versatile sheltered zones with borders restricted by legislation. It ensures very huge areas, often greater than 5000 km². Presently, there are 18 Biosphere Reserves in India, which are used to protect species for a long time. These are systematically achieved permitting only the visitors to visit. For example, Great Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, Sundarbans West Bengal.

3.      National Parks (NPS): According to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, a National Park (NP) should be an area with enough ecological, geo-morphological and natural significance, with rich fauna and flora. These are the insignificant reserves meant for the shelter of animals and their natural environments. There are 103 existing NPS in India covering an area of 40500 square kilometre, which is 1.23 per cent of the geographical area of the country. For example, Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, Gangotri National Park, Uttarakhand.

4.      Wildlife Sanctuaries: These are the areas where only wild animals (fauna) are present. The events like reaping of timbers, collection of forestry products, farming of lands etc. are allowed as long as these do not restrict the plan. For example, Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, Solapur Maharashtra.