Applied ecology in India: scope of science and policy to meet contemporary environmental and socio-ecological challenges

Abstract

1. India, a mega-diverse country in terms of both biodiversity and people, is battling envi-ronmental problems on many fronts: chronic dependence on natural resources, dwindling eco-system services, declining environmental quality, effects of climate change and a biodiversitycrisis.2. We review the current focal areas and infrastructure for ecological research and educationin India, along with the surrounding legal and policy aspects of related socio-economic issues.3. Currently, ecological and applied research is predominantly focused on charismatic specieswithin protected areas. This scope could be broadened beyond organismal biology towardsfunctional landscapes and ecosystems; the education system also needs to promote ecology asa career choice for scientists. Expectedly, many environmental challenges are generic in nat-ure, occur in other regions of the world, are primarily biophysical in origin but extend intohuman dimensions; some challenges are socio-political and have implications for biodiversityconservation.4. Synthesis and applications. India’s environmental concerns include, but are not restrictedto, the biodiversity crisis. The biodiversity crisis, in turn, includes, but is not restricted to, themost charismatic species. Greater integration and alignment among the mandates of govern-ment agencies, scientists, policymakers and educators are needed to meet contemporary envi-ronmental issues.