Q.Which one of the following is an endangered plant species of India?

Endangered species are those plant or animal populations that have declined to a critical level, making them highly vulnerable to extinction in the near future. India's rich biodiversity faces significant threats from human activities such as habitat destruction and over-exploitation, which are key causes of biodiversity loss discussed in the NCERT textbook.

This particular chapter does not itself name any of these three species, but all are genuinely recognized as endangered in India, for these reasons:

• Rauwolfia serpentina, a medicinal plant, has faced severe over-harvesting for its therapeutic compounds.
• Santalum album (Sandalwood) has been extensively exploited for its valuable wood and oil. …

India is a megadiverse country, home to a vast array of plant and animal life. However, this rich biodiversity is under severe threat, with numerous species facing the risk of extinction. The primary reasons for this decline include habitat loss and fragmentation, over-exploitation of natural resources, introduction of alien species, and co-extinctions.

Let us examine each of the options provided:

• Rauwolfia serpentina: This plant, commonly known as Indian Snakeroot or Sarpagandha, is a highly valued medicinal plant, renowned for producing reserpine, an alkaloid used in traditional and modern medicine to treat high blood pressure and certain mental disorders. Due to its significant medicinal value, it has been subjected to extensive and often unregulated harvesting from the wild, leading to a drastic reduction in its natural populations.

• Santalum album (Sandalwood): Sandalwood is one of the most precious and sought-after timber species globally, particularly in India. Its heartwood is famous for its distinctive fragrance, used in perfumes, cosmetics, aromatherapy, and religious ceremonies. The high economic value of sandalwood has led to rampant illegal logging and over-exploitation for centuries.

• Cycas beddomei: This species is a type of cycad, an ancient group of seed plants. It is endemic to a specific region in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India, making it particularly susceptible to localized threats from deforestation, land conversion, and illegal collection. …

Test each species independently against the two hallmark endangerment drivers the chapter names — over-exploitation and habitat …