Geological events have created conditions for high levels of biological diversity in India. Approximately 70 million years ago, the break-up of a giant continent led to the formation of northern and southern continents. India was part of Gondwanaland, the southern landmass that included Africa, Australia, and Antarctica. Tectonic movements later shifted India northward across the equator, bringing it into contact with the Northern Eurasian continent. As the intervening shallow Tethys Sea dried up, plants and animals from Europe and the Far East migrated into India before the Himalayas formed. The final influx came from Africa, with Ethiopian species adapted to savannas and semi-arid regions. Thus, India's unique geographical location between three distinct centres of biological evolution and species radiation is responsible for its diverse biodiversity.

Rich Biodiversity of India

India ranks among the top 10 or 15 most biologically diverse nations in the world. The country is home to:

350 mammal species (8th in the world)

1,200 bird species (8th in the world)

453 reptile species (5th in the world)

45,000 plant species (15th in the world)

India has significant species diversity, especially in ferns (1022 species) and orchids (1082 species). Approximately 50,000 insect species have been identified, including 13,000 butterflies and moths. The number of unknown species is likely much higher.