India with only 2.3% of the total land mass has around 91,206 animal species comprising 7.43% of the total (Ramakrishna and Alfred, 2007). Taking cognizance of the alarming situation of the depletion of natural habitats, the Government of India took significant steps in establishing the Indian Board for Wildlife in 1952 followed by the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. India also became signatory to the CITES, IUCN and worldwide Fund for nature. The Government of India has so far protected more than 4% of the geographical area, with 99 National Parks, 513 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 41 Conservation Reserves and 4 Community reserves (Anonymous, 2008) with a forest cover of 20.64% (Anonymous, 2003).
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