The western ghats were identified as an urgent freshwater biodiversity hotspot under the danger of extinction. A study on 8 January, 2025, has been published in the journal Nature, which brings forward some shocking warnings for freshwater species across the globe. This multi-taxa global freshwater fauna carried out by IUCN says that around one quarter of the water species had threats of extinction, which were high. There are 1500 AD through 89 confirmed and 187 suspected extinctions. It is really a rather bad condition of the world biodiversity.
The most important vulnerable area considered here is the Western Ghats.
Describing new ranges of biodiversity hotspots ‘high-profile’ ones the paper coauthored by most of the world’s leading species experts identifies many hotspots of threatened freshwater biodiversity, joining superlatively high biodiversity hotspots elsewhere: Lake Victoria, Lake Titicaca and Sri Lanka’s Wet Zone, that is recognized together with other several fresh water biodiversity hotspots facing human-induced threats and increase in abundance.
The Western Ghats has the status of a World Heritage Site; they harbor part of the impressive numbers of endemics of fish, amphibians, and plants. However, this irreplaceable natural heritage is increasingly facing more environmental challenges, which may potentially jeopardize its very existence.
Major Threats to Freshwater Species
IUCN notes several key drivers of decline for freshwater species:. She gathers a list of threats which include pollution, damming, water extraction, agriculture, invasive species, and overharvesting. Among all those, pollution proved to be the most major threat, accountable for 59% of threatened fish species on earth. Within those sources of pollution, 45% are made up of agricultural and forestry effluents, 29% of domestic and urban wastes, and 21% of industrial and military effluents.
Climate change and extreme events have, alongside pollution, affected 20% of freshwater species by destroying habitats and hastening the extinction of aquatic life.
This is a very critical tool for conservation efforts, emphasizing the need for urgent action to avoid further loss of species. Freshwater species, including fish and aquatic plants, are an integral part of ecosystems and industries such as fisheries and agriculture. The loss of these species will result in significant economic losses, disrupt livelihoods, and weaken ecological systems important for water management and biodiversity conservation.
Historical Context: Threats to Indian Freshwater Species that Continue to the Present
It has been found that 16% of fresh water species from peninsular India are facing extinction threats; this was the outcome of an IUCN study carried in 2011. The study detected the future threats from agricultural runoff sources as well as urban centre pollution and other overharing persisted until now. This similar threat by 2024 compresses fresh water species between India and Western Ghats.
Among the threatened Indian freshwaters species, 54% is due to pollution, 39% to dams and water abstraction, 37% due to agricultural activities and land use change, and 28% to invasive species and diseases. Threats have mounted up progressively with successive declines across Indian freshwater ecosystems over time.
Role of Freshwater Species in Ecosystem and Economy
These fresh-water species, then, become significant to the health of these systems and, correspondingly, to the economy-where fishery, agriculture, and water management form some sectors existing and flourishing with this diversity existing in rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Losing those species may incur extensive economic losses that would prove even more deleterious effects to the concerned communities that depend directly on such systems.
Apart from such economic importance of freshwater species, they contribute towards maintaining ecological balance by providing nutrients cycling, water purification, and habitat structure. Loss of such species would mean an immense failure in the working of aquatic ecosystems and hence of human health as well as environmental health.
A Call for Conservation Action
Given the level of threats to freshwater species, the Western Ghats and other biodiversity hotspots must be at the heart of conservation policies. The article presents proactive approaches to conservation: stricter pollution control, sustainable water management practices, and measures for reducing the impacts of invasive species. Habitat restoration and protected areas must increase ecosystem resilience to climate change.
Freshwater biodiversity is the most crucial in India, which means that there needs to be policies for preserving these ecosystems further from degradation. Government agencies, conservation organizations, and communities need to work together in the preservation of unique species in the Western Ghats.
Conclusion
The IUCN study findings form a wake-up call to the rest of the global community to address the threats posed on the freshwater species. The Western Ghats have come to be known as one of the biodiversity hotspots around the world and therefore, urgent and sustained action needs to be undertaken to prevent extinction of irreplaceable species. Protection of India’s natural heritage will demand the health of its freshwater ecosystems for sustaining biodiversity and securing livelihoods in the future.