Describe various methods used in 'In situ conservation'.

(A) In situ (on-site) conservation involves the protection and conservation of entire ecosystems and their biodiversity at all levels to safeguard threatened species.
Since it is not economically feasible to conserve all biological wealth in every existing ecosystem,specific strategies are employed:
$1$. Biodiversity Hotspots: These are regions identified for maximum protection due to very high levels of species richness,a high degree of endemism (species confined to a specific region),and accelerated habitat loss.
- Currently,there are $34$ hotspots globally.
- India hosts three hotspots: Western Ghats and Sri Lanka,Indo-Burma,and the Eastern Himalayas.
- Collectively,these hotspots cover less than $2 \%$ of the Earth's land area but harbor extremely high diversity. Strict protection of these areas could reduce ongoing mass extinction by nearly $30 \%$.
$2$. Protected Areas: These are dedicated regions for the maintenance of ecologically unique and biodiversity-rich areas.
- $(a)$ National Parks: Government-maintained areas reserved for wildlife protection where activities like cultivation,grazing,and forestry are prohibited. The first national park in India was Hailey National Park (established in $1936$).
- $(b)$ Wildlife Sanctuaries: Tracts of land where wild animals can take refuge without the threat of hunting. Activities like the collection of forest products and timber harvesting are permitted here.
- $(c)$ Biosphere Reserves: Large,multi-purpose protected areas designed to preserve genetic diversity,protect wildlife,and maintain the traditional lifestyles of tribal communities.