GEOGRAPHY CLASS 10TH NCERT (CBSE) H

2. FOREST AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES

 Immense Biodiversity: Our planet hosts millions of species, from micro-organisms and
bacteria to large animals like elephants and blue whales, forming a complex ecological
system.

 Human Dependency: Humans, along with other organisms, depend on this ecological
system for survival, as plants, animals, and micro-organisms help maintain air quality, water,
and soil.

 Role of Forests: Forests are key to the ecological system, serving as primary producers
that support all other living beings.

 Flora and Fauna in India:

 India is one of the richest countries in terms of biological diversity, housing nearly
8% of the world’s species.
 81,000 species of fauna and 47,000 species of flora have been recorded.
 Of the 47,000 plant species, about 15,000 are endemic to India.

 Environmental Stress: The flora and fauna are under great stress due to environmental
insensitivity, impacting their integration into daily life.

 Threatened Species:

 Approximately 10% of India’s recorded wild flora and 20% of its mammals are on the
threatened list.
 Species like the cheetah, pink-headed duck, mountain quail, forest spotted owlet, and
plants like Madhuca insignis are categorized as critical and on the verge of extinction.

 Cultural Integration: The provided Lepcha folk song highlights the deep cultural
connection and reverence for nature in certain regions of India.

 Loss of Species: Numerous species, especially smaller animals and plants, may already be
lost, even though focus is often on larger, visible animals and plants.

 Categories of Species (Based on IUCN):

 Normal Species: Population levels are considered normal for survival (e.g., cattle,
sal, pine, rodents).
 Endangered Species: In danger of extinction if negative factors continue (e.g., black
buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhino, lion-tailed macaque, sangai).
 Vulnerable Species: Population has declined and may become endangered if trends
continue (e.g., blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin).
  Rare Species: Small populations that may become endangered or vulnerable (e.g.,
Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox, hornbill).
 Endemic Species: Found only in specific areas, often isolated (e.g., Andaman teal,
Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig, mithun in Arunachal Pradesh).
 Extinct Species: No longer found after exhaustive searches (e.g., Asiatic cheetah,
pink-headed duck).

 Threatened Species in India:

 79 species of mammals, 44 of birds, 15 of reptiles, and 3 of amphibians are

threatened.
 Nearly 1,500 plant species are considered endangered.
 Extinction rates for flowering plants and vertebrates are 50 to 100 times the natural
expected rate.

 Vanishing Forests:

 Forest and tree cover in India is 79.42 million hectares (24.16% of the total
geographical area).
 Dense forests cover 12.2%, open forests 9.14%, and mangroves 0.14%.
 An increase in dense forest cover by 3,775 sq km since 2013 due to conservation,
management, and plantation efforts.

 Historical Forest Depletion:

 Major damage to Indian forests during the colonial period due to railways, agriculture,
commercial forestry, and mining activities.
 Post-independence, agricultural expansion continues to deplete forest resources.
 Between 1951 and 1980, over 26,200 sq. km. of forest area was converted into
agricultural land.

 Shifting Cultivation (Jhum):

 Substantial deforestation in tribal belts of north-eastern and central India due to

shifting cultivation, a slash and burn agricultural method.

 Asiatic Cheetah:

 The world's fastest land mammal, distinguished by long teardrop-shaped lines on its
face, declared extinct in India in 1952 due to habitat and prey decline.

 Resource Transformation:

 Humans have transformed nature into resources, extracting wood, barks, leaves,
rubber, medicines, dyes, food, fuel, fodder, and manure from forests and wildlife.

 Colonial Forest Policies:

  Environmental activists criticize colonial policies for promoting "enrichment
plantation," where single commercially valuable species were extensively planted,
eliminating other species.

 Development Projects and Deforestation:

 Over 5,000 sq km of forest cleared for river valley projects since 1951.
 Ongoing projects like Narmada Sagar Project threaten to inundate 40,000 hectares of
forest.
 Mining, such as dolomite mining in Buxa Tiger Reserve, disrupts habitats and species
migration.

 Impact of Grazing and Fuel-Wood Collection:

 Significant factors in forest resource depletion, although much fuel-fodder demand is

met by lopping rather than felling trees.

 Forest Ecosystems as Repositories:

 Forests house valuable products, minerals, and resources essential for the industrial-
urban economy, leading to conflicts over protected areas.

 Monoculture Plantations:

 Teak monoculture in South India and Chir Pine plantations in the Himalayas have
replaced native forests, harming natural ecosystems.

 Himalayan Yew in Trouble:

 Medicinal plant found in Himachal Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh, source of 'taxol'
used in anti-cancer drugs.
 Over-exploitation has led to a decline in yew trees, with thousands drying up in the
last decade.

 Factors Leading to Decline in Biodiversity:

 Habitat destruction, hunting, poaching, over-exploitation, environmental pollution,

poisoning, and forest fires.
 Unequal access, inequitable consumption of resources, and differential sharing of
environmental responsibility.

 Over-Consumption and Environmental Impact:

 Over-population in third-world countries is often cited, but resource consumption is

much higher in developed countries.
 The richest five percent of Indian society likely cause more ecological damage due to
higher consumption levels.

 Impact on Women:
  Women bear the major responsibility for collecting basic resources, leading to
increased drudgery and health issues as resources deplete.
 Environmental degradation hits the poor hardest, often causing poverty.

 Importance of Conservation:

 Forests and wildlife are vital to the quality of life and the environment, making
conservation essential.
 Conservation preserves ecological diversity and life support systems (water, air, soil)
and genetic diversity for better species growth and breeding.

 Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972:

 Implemented to protect wildlife habitats and endangered species.

 Established national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
 Central government launched projects to protect specific threatened animals like the
tiger.

 Environmental Destruction Statistics:

 Over half of India's natural forests are gone, one-third of wetlands drained, 70% of
surface water bodies polluted, and 40% of mangroves wiped out.
 Continued hunting and trade of wild animals and commercially valuable plants lead to
the extinction of thousands of species.

 Loss of Cultural Diversity:

 Biological loss is correlated with the loss of cultural diversity, marginalizing and
impoverishing indigenous and forest-dependent communities.

 Legal Protection of Species:

 Various species have been given full or partial legal protection in India, including the
Indian elephant, black buck, great Indian bustard, and snow leopard.

 Project Tiger:

 Launched in 1973 to protect tigers, whose population had dwindled drastically.

 Major threats include poaching for trade, shrinking habitat, and depletion of prey
species.
 Initially successful, with the tiger population increasing to 4,002 in 1985 and 4,334 in
1989, but later dropping to 3,600 in 1993.
 There are 39 tiger reserves in India, covering an area of 32,137.14 sq km.

 Key Tiger Reserves in India:

 Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), Sunderbans National Park (West Bengal),

Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh), Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
(Rajasthan), Manas Tiger Reserve (Assam), Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala).
 Focus on Biodiversity:

 Conservation projects now emphasize biodiversity rather than a few specific

components.
 Notifications under the Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986 included several hundred
butterflies, moths, beetles, and one dragonfly as protected species.
 In 1991, plants were also added to the protected list, starting with six species.

 Threats to Wildlife:

 Factors such as habitat destruction, poaching, over-exploitation, environmental

pollution, and forest fires have led to biodiversity decline.
 Unequal resource access and consumption also contribute to environmental
destruction.

 Management of Forest and Wildlife Resources:

 Much of India's forest and wildlife resources are owned or managed by the
government through various departments.

 Types of Forests:

 Reserved Forests: More than half of the total forest land, considered the most
valuable for conservation.
 Protected Forests: About one-third of the total forest area, protected from further
depletion.
 Unclassed Forests: Forests and wastelands belonging to both government and private
individuals/communities.

 Permanent Forest Estates:

 Reserved and protected forests are maintained for producing timber, other forest
produce, and for protective reasons.
 Madhya Pradesh: Has the largest area under permanent forests (75% of its total
forest area).
 States with Large Percentages of Reserved Forests: Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra.
 States with Bulk of Protected Forests: Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh,
Odisha, Rajasthan.

 Unclassed Forests:

High percentages in all North-eastern states and parts of Gujarat, managed by local 
Community Involvement in Conservation:

 Local communities play a crucial role in conserving habitats alongside government

officials.
 Example: Villagers in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, fought against mining using
the Wildlife Protection Act.
  Five villages in Alwar district, Rajasthan, declared 1,200 hectares as Bhairodev
Dakav 'Sonchuri' with self-imposed rules to protect wildlife.

 Sacred Groves:

 Nature worship has led to the preservation of several pristine forests known as Sacred
Groves.
 These forests are untouched and protected by local people who ban any interference.
 Tribes like the Mundas, Santhal, and others worship specific trees, preserving them
for generations.

 Cultural Conservation Practices:

 Indian society has diverse traditional methods of conserving nature.

 Sacred qualities are attributed to springs, mountains, plants, and animals, leading to
their protection.
 Examples: Troops of macaques and langurs around temples, blackbuck and other
wildlife in Bishnoi villages, Rajasthan.

 Chipko Movement:

 Successfully resisted deforestation and promoted community afforestation with

indigenous species.
 Demonstrated the success of traditional conservation methods and ecological farming.

 Joint Forest Management (JFM):

 Involves local communities in managing and restoring degraded forests.

 Formally established in 1988 with Odisha's resolution.
 Local institutions protect forest land, receiving benefits like non-timber forest produce
and shares in timber harvests.

 Lesson on Environmental Management:

 Local communities must be involved in natural resource management.

 Focus on people-centric, environment-friendly, and economically rewarding
activities.

 communities.

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which of these statements is not a valid reason for the depletion of flora and
fauna?
o (c) Grazing and fuel wood collection
2. Which of the following conservation strategies do not directly involve community
participation?
o (d) Demarcation of Wildlife sanctuaries

Match the Following:

 1. Animals/Plants and their Category of Existence:
o Black buck: Endangered
o Asiatic elephant: Vulnerable
o Andaman wild pig: Endemic
o Himalayan brown bear: Rare
o Pink head duck: Extinct
2. Forests and their Classification:
o Reserved forests: Forests are regarded as most valuable as far as the
conservation of forest and wildlife resources
o Protected forests: Forest lands are protected from any further depletion
o Unclassed forests: Other forests and wastelands belonging to both government
and private individuals and communities

Short Answer Questions (about 30 words):

1. What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?

o Biodiversity refers to the variety of all life forms on Earth, including plants,
animals, and microorganisms. It is important for ecosystem stability, provides
resources for food, medicine, and supports ecological balance.
2. How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna? Explain.
o Human activities such as deforestation, pollution, over-exploitation, habitat
destruction, and urbanization have led to significant depletion of flora and
fauna, disrupting ecosystems and leading to species extinction.

Long Answer Questions (about 120 words):

1. Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and wildlife in
India?
o Communities have played a crucial role in conservation through traditional
practices and local initiatives. In Sariska Tiger Reserve, villagers used the
Wildlife Protection Act to combat mining. Villages in Alwar district declared
Bhairodev Dakav 'Sonchuri,' protecting 1,200 hectares of forest with self-
imposed rules. The Chipko Movement demonstrated community afforestation
success, resisting deforestation. The Joint Forest Management (JFM)
programme, established in 1988 in Odisha, involves local communities in
managing and restoring degraded forests, granting them benefits like non-
timber forest produce. These efforts showcase the vital role of community
involvement in sustainable forest and wildlife management.
2. Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.
o Effective conservation practices include creating protected areas like national
parks and wildlife sanctuaries, implementing legal protections for endangered
species, and promoting community involvement through initiatives like JFM.
Afforestation and reforestation projects help restore degraded lands, while
sustainable agricultural practices reduce deforestation pressures. Conservation
awareness and education programs encourage responsible behavior towards
nature. Traditional conservation methods, such as Sacred Groves and cultural
reverence for certain species, play a significant role. Monitoring and
controlling illegal activities like poaching and logging are crucial for
protecting biodiversity. Sustainable resource management and environmental-
friendly development practices ensure long-term ecological balance and
conservation success.