The impact of pollution globally for the past 10 decades is unaccountable. Animal Extinction is one among the outcomes of consistent and high pollution rates. Though pollution has two types: Natural and Man made. Man-made pollution is comparatively higher when compared to naturally caused pollution.
Natural Pollution
Natural Pollutants include volcanic dust, sea salt particles, photochemically formed ozone, and products of forest fibres. These couldn’t be controlled , however man’s action over nature can be controlled to make a better eco friendly environment.
Man Made Pollution
Pollution caused by men is since the advent of machinery and industrial developments. We live in the cage of Industrial progression, housing developments and deforestation which affects the livelihood of these animals which breaks the food chain as well, affecting the entire ecosystem. Pollution causes climate change which has an indirect and long lasting effect on these animals.
Major Animals that are in verge of extinction:
According to experts, healthy biodiversity is essential for human health and survival. Biodiversity includes all species of animals, birds, plants, fish, insects and microscopic organisms. However, a large number of species have become endangered due to human and nature activities over the years.
Bumble Bee
Another species under threat that humans rely on is the Bumble Bees. As per IUCN, Suckley Cuckoo Bumble Bees have declined over 77 per cent over the past 50 years. Bumble bees face many threats, including habitat loss, pesticides, diseases and climate change.It is feared to be nowhere seen in the next 2 decades.
Dugong
Dugongs are restricted to coastal shallow marine habitats and graze on the seagrass meadows in coastal waters also called “Sea Cows”. It was added to the IUCN list in 2015 as vulnerable to extinction. The major reasons for the decreasing number of Dugongs are seagrass habitat, poaching for their meat, oil, hides, bones and teeth, pollution, water transport traffic and fishing.
Sea Turtle
Sea Turtles have been vulnerable to extinction for over 200 years. The Sea Turtles face threat from poaching which is done for their eggs, meat, skin and shells, in addition, habitat destruction, plastic pollution in oceans, accidental entangling in fishing nets (also known as bycatch) and trash on the beaches also cause their deaths. Six of the seven sea turtle species are classified as threatened, endangered, or critically endangered.
River Dolphin
River Dolphin is one of the most endangered species found in the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and their tributaries. It can live only in freshwater. The River Dolphins are threatened by hunting for their meat and oil, apart from pollution, bycatch, sea transport traffic and habitat loss.Dr. Singh said that River Dolphins are the symbols of the ecological health of our freshwater systems which is essential for the survival of humans.
Koala Bear:
Enhanced CO2 in the air produces less protein in the eucalyptus leaves, forcing the Koala to search for other sources of food and, in times of high heat, water. On the ground, the slow moving Koalas are prey to wild and domestic dogs, or are sometimes hit by cars as they cross roads.
Save Wildlife
While talking about the increasing number of endangered species, D.Raghunandan, Scientist, Delhi Science Forum said, “It’s high time we learn that humans are not at the centre of the existence of this beautiful planet; we are just another piece in this brilliant jigsaw that makes our planet.“
Inorder to save the other existing and these endangered species effective and long lasting initiatives has to be taken which brings in an harmonious ecosystem.