Endemic Species of Indian Biodiversity Hotspots
A Miniature Sheet consisting of 4 nos of special postage stamps on the Endemic Species of Indian Biodiversity Hotspots (XI Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity) : Bugun liocichla, Nicobar megapode, Hoolock gibbon and Venated gliding frog :
Issued by India
Issued on Oct 16, 2012
Issued for : Department of Posts is happy to participate in an effort for conservation of the rich bio-diversity of the country by issuing a set of four Commemorative Postage Stamps and a miniature sheet on Endemic Species of Indian Bio-diversity Hotspots.
Credits:
Stamp/FDC/Brochure/Cancellation : Alka Sharma
Type : Miniature Sheet, Mint condition
Colour : Multi colour
Denomination : 500, 500, 500 & 2500 Paise
Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million each (0.1 million each for the proponent)
Miniature Sheet : 0.4 million
Printing Process : Wet Offset
Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad
About :
- In recent years, sustaining bio-diversity and maintaining ecological balance has come under increasing pressure due to factors such as habitat fragmentation, development imperatives and global warming. The global concern about loss of bio-diversity found expression in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) which was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The Convention has three objectives : conservation of bio-diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. CBD is the first comprehensive global agreement addressing all aspects relating to bio-diversity. The Conference of the Parties is the governing body of the Convention on Biological Diversity and advances implementation of the Convention through the decisions it takes at its periodic meetings.
- The tenth ordinary meeting of the Conference of Parties was held in Nagoya, Japan (18-29 October 2010). India is hosting the eleventh Conference of Parties to the CBD in Hyderabad from 1st to 19th October 2012. Department of Posts is issuing a set of four Commemorative Postage Stamps and a miniature sheet depicting the following four endemic species of Indian Bio-diversity Hotspots to commemorate COP-11.
- 1. Bugun Liocichla (Liocichla Bugunorum) – This species has been classified as vulnerable under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
- 2. Nicobar Megapode (Megapodius Nicobariensis) – As the name suggests this species is endemic to the Nicobar Islands, India. The total number of their breeding pairs was estimated at 788 in 2006. It inhabits forests and secondary growth, with greater concentration in coastal forests. The key threat to their existence is the loss of coastal forests through conversion to agriculture and road development projects which threaten to fragment habitat blocks.
- 3. Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock Hoolock) – This species, the only ape in India is a forest dweller. The species is an important seed disperser. Its diet includes mostly ripe fruits with some flowers, leaves and shoots. The threats to Hoolock Gibbon in the wild, include habitat encroachment by the human beings, forest clearance for cultivation and forest degradation.
- 4. Venated Gliding Frog (Rhacophorus Malabaricus) – This critically endangered species of frog is restricted to the Indira Gandhi National Park and its surroundings in Tamil Nadu, in the South Western Ghats, within an altitudinal range of 1000-1300 metres. The main threat to its existence is conversion of forested areas to cultivated land and the extraction of wood and timber by local people.
- Text : Based on the material provided by the proponent.
