Since the beginning of life ninety five percent of different species of animals and plants have gone extinct till date during the evolutionary process, most of them during early stage when Earth experienced frequent and drastic environmental changes.
Ever
since the life originated on Earth in the form of unicellular
organisms, the gradual process of evolution has continued giving rise to
different forms of life. As a result we have millions of species
ranging from unicellular bacteria to giant and highly complex life forms
like blue whale. During this natural process of evolution, species have
evolved, proliferated and have become extinct. Extinction of species is
a part of the natural process of evolution.
Natural extinction is not the cause of great worry as it is
inevitable, but extinction due to reasons other than natural,
particularly human-induced factors, are definitely a cause of worry.
Once the process of environmental alterations stabilised on Earth, the
rate of extinction due to natural factors slowed down drastically and
most of the species could manage to survive for long after their
evolution. The rate of extinction has accelerated in recent past,
particularly during previous two-three centuries, largely as a result of
human activities. The speed of exploitation of natural resources
necessitated by the exponentially rising human numbers is the root cause
of extinction of several species. For obtaining short term benefits we
are rapidly destroying the wealth of life which has taken billions of
years to reach the present state.
The major causes of extinction are:
Hunting: This is an age old activity. Initially hunting
was aimed at obtaining food but later it turned out to be a hobby for
many. Hunting is also carried out for some commercial purpose as a part
of wildlife trade described later.
Habitat Loss: Most human activities have resulted in
loss of habitat for several species. Deforestation for obtaining wood
(for paper and furniture) and rarely available herbal products has
destroyed thick forest habitats. Development of tourism involving
forests and mountains as places of interest has also forced us to
destroy natural habitat by construction of roads and resorts. Moreover,
some parts of the forests have been converted into residences for
humans, the rising population being the main reason.
Wildlife Trade: Wildlife
trade involves activities like trading of skins of wild animals,
extraction of some medicinally important compounds from the bodies of
some mammals and fish (codliver
oil, for example), Extracts obtained from some herbal plants, organs of
these animals as well as smuggling of rare species of animals to
different parts of the world. Wildlife trade is highly profitable and
many are involved in it. Unlike hunting transfer of an animal does not
involve spot killing but the place of their captivity where they are
transferred does not replicate their natural habitat and in the absence
of natural environment they lose their reproductive potential or their
progeny, if any, cannot survive long. Most of the smuggled animals are
killed later after removing important organs from their body. Their
population (in their natural habitat), in the long run, goes on
diminishing and ultimately they become extinct.
Human Interference: Constructing roads and rail routes
through forests and mountains for transportation create disturbance in
the habitat of wild animals, reduce area for their dwelling and movement
and introduce feeling of insecurity among the animals. Similarly, use
of boats for fishing, steamers for transportation and cruises for
leisure activities disturb marine life. Consequently, there is a gradual
reduction in their numbers.
Pollution: In fact, human
interference itself is the main cause of pollution. Movement of
automobiles and railways through forests and mountains not only pollute
these natural habitats by expelling toxic gases that harm both animals
and plants but they also create noise pollution affecting the mental
state of wild animals. Forest resorts attract a large number of people
as tourists. They pollute the forest soil and water resources by
throwing nonbiodegradable products like plastics.
Despite efforts to save species from
being extinct, the process of extinction has not slowed down much. Once
extinction has taken place we are helpless but there are thousands of 'Endangered' species (bound to be extinct if proper steps are not taken) which we can save. Some of them include:
Javan Rhino, Mediterranean monk seal, tiger, African elephant, Mountain
gorilla, Blue whale, Giant otter, Jackass penguin, Chinese alligator,
Kemp's ridley turtle, etc.
WWF (World Wildlife Fund for Nature) has the main aim of protecting and conserving such species. WWF works with governments of different countries to establish reserves and parks. WWF
believes that protecting animals and plants has to go hand in hand with
satisfying the basic needs of people. Therefore, many of its projects
are designed to maintain balance between the sustainable use of natural
resources, protection of wildlife and benefits of people.
