When Darwin propounded his theory of ‘Survival of the fittest’, it created a great deal of controversy during those days. But gradually it started receiving a wider acceptance as many species were found to be either extinct or facing extinction for the reasons best explained by Darwin. Since the evolution of plant and animal lives, quite a few of them have faced complete extinction and others are facing the dangers of extinction. Hence the conservation of certain species that face extinction has drawn the worldwide attention. These species have been categorized as ‘endangered species’.
Factors responsible for endangering the existence of these species are both natural and man-made. Firstly, the increasing human population is encroaching more and more land, and thus creating a scarcity of land for the wildlife to survive. Forests and heaths have been removed to make way for farming. Large-scale deforestation for wood and industrialization is another cause of the loss of wildlife. Secondly, man has hunted down many animals to extinction — auk and dodo are distinct examples of it. Pollution is also affecting the lives of many animals. Every year millions of sea-birds die unpleasant deaths as their feathers get covered with sticky, black oil waste. The natural causes are the unsuitable conditions of temperature and pressure, lack of proper food material, natural calamities etc.
The plants which need special measures for protection are: red helleborine, cheddar pink, monkey orchid, tufted saxifrage, alpine catchfly and alpine gentian. The animals that require special care for preservation are: tiger, lion, elephant, rhinos, leopard, puma, ocelot, humpback, whale, panda, polar bear, the giant sable antelope etc.
Effective steps are being taken to conserve wildlife, both at national and international level. Wildlife sanctuaries have been created, various legal acts made, and direct project works have been taken up to preserve the endangered species.
