Question

Write short notes on the following: (i) Biodiversity hotspot (ii) Biopiracy

Hint:

Hotspots = high biodiversity + high threat. Biopiracy = illegal exploitation of local resources/knowledge.

Answer 1

(i) Biodiversity hotspot: \[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region rich in endemic species but highly threatened by human activities.} \\ \bullet & \text{Criteria (Conservation International):} \\ \bullet & \text{At least 1500 species of vascular plants as endemics.} \\ \bullet & \text{Lost at least 70\% of original habitat.} \\ \bullet & \text{Examples in India: Himalaya (Indo-Burma region), Indo-Malayan Sundalands, Western Ghats.} \\ \bullet & \text{Importance: Hotspots cover only 2.3\% of Earth's land but hold more than 50\% of plant species.} \\ \end{array}\] 

(ii) Biopiracy: \[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{Biopiracy is the practice of exploiting biological resources or traditional knowledge without proper authorization or compensation to the local communities.} \\ \bullet & \text{Often involves multinational companies patenting the use of indigenous plants and products.} \\ \bullet & \text{Examples:} \\ \bullet & \text{Patenting of neem products by foreign companies.} \\ \bullet & \text{Attempt to patent turmeric's medicinal properties.} \\ \bullet & \text{Biopiracy raises ethical, legal, and economic concerns and calls for protection of traditional knowledge under intellectual property rights.} \\ \end{array}\]