Which one among the following regions is not a hotspot of biodiversity ?

The correct answer is Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya.

To understand why this is the correct choice, let us break down what a biodiversity hotspot is and analyze each option step-by-step:

1. What is a Biodiversity Hotspot?
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity that is threatened with destruction. To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot under Norman Myers' definition, a region must meet two strict criteria:
• It must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics (species found nowhere else on Earth).
• It must have lost at least 70% of its primary native vegetation.

Globally, there are 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots. In India, four major regions are identified as part of these global biodiversity hotspots:
• The Himalayas
• The Indo-Burma region
• The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka
• Sundaland (which includes the Nicobar group of islands)

2. Analyzing the Options:
• The Indo-Burma Region: This is one of the officially recognized global biodiversity hotspots. It covers a vast area including parts of Northeastern India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and southern China.
• The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka: This is another recognized global biodiversity hotspot. It runs along the western coast of India and extends into Sri Lanka, harboring immense endemic floral and faunal diversity.
• The Himalayas: The entire Himalayan region (including Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Northern and Northeastern India) is a recognized global biodiversity hotspot.
• Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya: Jaintia Hills is a local geographic region located in the state of Meghalaya, India. While it is highly rich in biodiversity and is famous for its sacred groves (which are traditional community-protected forest areas), it is not designated as an independent global biodiversity hotspot on its own. Instead, it is geophysically a sub-region that falls under the broader Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

Therefore, among the given choices, the Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya is not classified as an independent global hotspot of biodiversity.