NeBIO Vol.

1(1)
Singh et al. 42-47

Biodiversity conservation and natural resources in North East India - with

special reference to Manipur
E. Jayantakumar Singh, N.K. Sharat Singh and N. Rajmuhon Singh
Department of Chemistry, Manipur University
Canchipur, Imphal-795 003

Author for correspondence: rajmuhon@yahoo.co.in

Received: 10 February 2009; Revised and accepted: 3 October 2009

ABSTRACT

Northeast States of India is blessed with a wide range of physiographic and ecoclimatic conditions
and the geographical ‘gateway’ for much of India’s endemic flora as well as fauna. This region
represents an important part of the Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot, one of the 25 global
biodiversity hotspots recognized currently. This article stressed the need to conservation of
biodiversity and natural resources in northeast states with special reference to Manipur. The
known biodiversity of Manipur includes 4000 angiosperm plants, 430 medicinal plants, 34 species
of edible fungi, 500 orchids, 54 species of bamboo, 40 endemic rice cultivars, 160 fish species, 21
migratory aquatic birds and a multitude of low and high altitude butterflies. The most endangered
species of this state viz. Cervus eldi eldi and Lilium macklinae sealy are in deplorable condition and
their protection and conservation initiatives/measures should be of prime concern.

KEY WORDS: Northeast States, Indo-Myanmar biodiversity hotspot, National Park, Endangered
Species.

In a common parlance, biodiversity may be
defined as species richness (plants, animals and
micro-organisms) in a given habitat be it on land,
in fresh water or sea or as parasites or symbionts.
Till date, 1.4 million life-forms have been named
and described by taxonomists. They estimate that
there are at least 5 million species, but perhaps as
many as 50 million species are existing today
(Neely et. al., 1990). Biodiversity produces goods
and services for the most fundamental of our needs
- clean air, fresh water, food, medicines and
shelter. It also provides people with recreational,
psychological, emotional and spiritual enjoyment.
In earlier days, the primitive human societies
protected forest patches called “Sacred Groves”
which sheltered rich biological diversity. Many
species of plants and animals had been lost due to
the continuous human activities such as population
growth, exploitation of natural resources, and non-
judicious use of its environment. Many rare plants
and animals are also on the verge of extinction.
Here, we can bear in mind the quotation of Rachel
Carson “Man is part of nature, and his war against
nature is inevitably a war against himself”. So,
preserving earth’s biodiversity holds the key to
human survival.
Significance of Biodiversity
Every human civilization on earth has been rooted
in the biodiversity of nature. For several reasons,
biodiversity remains vital to human society. Biodi-
versity, in wild and domesticated forms, is the
source of most human needs - food, fuel, fodder,
fertilizer, fibre timber and medicine; clothing and
housing; much of the cultural diversity; and most
of the intellectual and spiritual inspirations. Many
species have been fundamental to stabilization of
climate, protection of water-sheds, protection of
soil and to the protection of nurseries and breeding
grounds. Most of the medicinal plants contain
chemicals which have specific effects on the

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