Volume-X, Issue-V, September 2024 |
Impact of Climate Change on North Bengal’s Rich Biodiversity: A Comprehensive Analysis Mahadeb Das, State Aided College Teacher Category, Department of Geography, Lilabati Mahavidyalaya, West Bengal, India |
Received :16.08.2024 | Accepted: 28.08.2024 | Published Online: 30.09.2024 | Page No:133-146 | ||||
DOI: 10.29032/ijhsss.vol.10.issue.05W.014 | |||||||
ABSTRACT | ||
North Bengal, spanning from Terai grasslands to the temperate Eastern Himalayas, faces serious biodiversity challenges due to climate change. This article assesses how climate change affects the region’s flora and fauna, emphasizing disruptions caused by temperature shifts, altered precipitation patterns, and glacial melt. Rising temperatures have modified plant phenology, altering flowering and fruiting periods, which impacts plant reproduction and survival. For wildlife, these temperature changes disrupt breeding and hibernation patterns, threatening species such as the red panda. Altered precipitation patterns have led to unpredictable water availability, affecting wetlands crucial for amphibians and waterfowl, as well as impacting local agriculture and food supplies. Glacial retreat in the Eastern Himalayas further complicates the situation by affecting river systems and reducing water flow into North Bengal. This impacts aquatic habitats and species, with increased sedimentation from melting glaciers disrupting aquatic ecosystems and fish populations. Habitat loss and fragmentation, driven by natural and human activities, threaten species dependent on large, continuous habitats. Climate change exacerbates these threats by facilitating the spread of invasive species that outcompete native flora and fauna. Species are shifting ranges, often moving to higher altitudes or altering their distribution, potentially leading to ecological imbalances. These changes significantly affect ecosystem services such as pollination, water regulation, and soil fertility, which in turn impact agriculture and natural habitats. The rise in human wildlife conflicts due to animal migration complicates conservation efforts and can lead to retaliatory actions against wildlife. The article recommends expanding protected areas, restoring habitats, and involving local communities in conservation. Ongoing research and monitoring are essential to understand and address the impacts of climate change on North Bengal’s biodiversity, urging collaborative efforts to preserve the region’s unique ecosystems. Keywords: Climate Change, Biodiversity, North Bengal, Habitat Loss, Species Distribution, Ecosystem Services. |