Ch-2 Forest and Wildlife Resources
NOTES
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the number and variety of organisms found within a specified
geographic region. It refers to the varieties of plants, animals, and
microorganisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems they form.
Importance of Biodiversity
The plants, animals, and micro-organisms re-create the quality of the air
we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil that produces our food
without which we cannot survive.
Forests play a key role in the ecological system as these are also the
primary producers on which all other living beings depend.
The forest ecosystems are repositories of some of the country's most
valuable forest products, minerals, and other resources that meet the
demands of the rapidly expanding industrial-urban economy.
Classification of Species
• The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources (IUCN) has classified plants and animals in order of existence:
→ Normal Species: Species whose population levels are considered to be
normal for their survival, such as cattle, sal, pine, rodents, etc.
→ Endangered Species: These are species which are in danger of
extinction. For example, black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass etc.
→ Vulnerable Species: These are species whose population has declined
to levels from where it is likely to move into the endangered category in
the near future if the negative factors continue to operate. For examples,
blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, Gangetic dolphin, etc.
→ Rare Species: Species with small population may move into the
endangered or vulnerable category if the negative factors affecting them
continue to operate. For example, Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic
buffalo, desert fox and hornbill, etc.
→ Endemic Species: These are species which are only found in some
particular areas usually isolated by natural or geographical barriers. For
example, Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig, mithun in
Arunachal Pradesh.
→ Extinct Species: These are species which are not found after searches
of known or likely areas where they may occur. For example, Asiatic
cheetah, pink head duck etc.
Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India
Need for Conservation:
Conservation preserves the ecological diversity and our life support
systems – water, air, and soil.
It also preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals for better
growth of species and breeding.
Fisheries too are heavily dependent on the maintenance of aquatic
biodiversity.
Steps taken for conservation:
The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972, with
various provisions for protecting habitats.
An all-India list of protected species was also published.
The main focus was on protecting the remaining population of certain
endangered species by banning hunting, giving legal protection to their
habitats, and restricting trade in wildlife.
Central and many state governments established national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries.
The central government also announced several projects for protecting
specific animals, which were seriously threatened such as tigers, one-
horned rhinoceros, etc.
Project Tiger
The major threats to the tiger population are numerous, such as poaching
for trade, shrinking habitat, depletion of prey base species, growing
human population, etc.
Since India and Nepal provide habitat to about two-thirds of the surviving
tiger population in the world, these two nations became prime targets for
poaching and illegal trading.
“Project Tiger”, one of the most well-publicized wildlife campaigns in the
world, was launched in 1973.
Tiger conservation has been viewed not only as an effort to save an
endangered species but with equal importance as a means of preserving
biotypes of sizeable magnitude.
Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand,
Sunderbans National Park in West Bengal,
Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan,
Types of Forests and Wildlife Resources
Types of forests found in India:
Reserved forests: More than half of the total forest land has been declared
reserved forests. Reserved forests are regarded as the most valuable as far
as the conservation of forest and wildlife resources is concerned.
Protected forests: Almost 1/3rd of the total forest area is protected forest,
as declared by the Forest Department. This forest land is protected from
any further depletion.
Unclassed forests: These are other forests and wastelands belonging to
both government and private individuals and communities.
* Reserved and protected forests are also referred to as permanent forests.
Distribution of Forests and Wildlife Resources
Reserved Forests: Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand,
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Maharashtra have large
percentages of reserved forests of its total forest area.
Protected Forests: Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha,
and Rajasthan have a bulk of it under protected forests.
Unclassed Forests: All Northeastern states and parts of Gujarat have a
very high percentage of their forests as unclassed forests managed by
local communities.
Joint Forest Management (JFM)
JFM furnishes a good example for involving local communities in the
management and restoration of degraded forests.
The program has been in formal existence since 1988 when the state of
Odisha passed the first resolution for joint forest management.
JFM depends on the formation of local (village) institutions that
undertake protection activities mostly on degraded forest land managed
by the forest department.
In return, the members of these communities are entitled to intermediary
benefits like non-timbers forest produces and share in the timber
harvested by ‘successful protection'.
Ch-2 Forest and Wildlife Resources
Answer the following questions
Q1. What is biodiversity? Why is biodiversity important for human lives?
Ans: Biodiversity refers to the diversity of life forms on Earth, enclosing
variation at the ecosystem, species, and genetic levels. Tropical regions, which
make up 10% of the Earth's surface, are particularly rich in biodiversity, housing
90% of the world's species. Contribution of Biodiversity to Human Lives:
• Agriculture
• Business and Industry
• Leisure activities
• Ecological Processes
Q2. How have human activities affected the depletion of flora and fauna?
Explain.
Ans. Different river valley projects have harmed plant and animal life. Illegal
mining has also reduced the number of plants and animals. Excessive
development for leisure activities in forests has negatively impacted them.
Additionally, increased human activities in forest areas, driven by population
growth and lack of space, have led to conflicts between humans and animals.
Q3. Describe how communities have conserved and protected forests and
wildlife in India?
Ans: Chipko Movement: The well-known Chipko movement in the Himalayas
has not only successfully stopped deforestation in many areas but also
demonstrated that community-led tree planting with native species can be
highly effective.
The Mundas and Santhals in the Chota Nagpur region worship the mahua and
kadamba trees.
Tribals in Odisha and Bihar honor the tamarind (Tamarindus indica) and mango
(Mangifera indica) trees during weddings. Additionally, many people consider
peepal and banyan trees to be sacred.
In Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve, villagers have opposed mining activities
by invoking the Wildlife Protection Act. In many places, villagers are
independently protecting habitats and rejecting government involvement.
For instance, residents of five villages in Alwar district, Rajasthan, have
designated 1,200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri,’ setting
their own rules that prohibit hunting and protect wildlife from external threats.
Q4. Write a note on good practices towards conserving forest and wildlife.
Ans. In India, the Joint Forest Management (JFM) program is a great example
of involving local communities in managing and restoring degraded forests.
This program officially started in 1988 when Odisha was the first state to adopt
it. JFM relies on forming local village groups that protect and manage degraded
forest areas with the forest department's support.
In return, these communities receive benefits such as non-timber forest
products and a share of the timber from successfully protected areas.
The key lesson from India's experience with environmental destruction and
restoration is that local communities need to be involved in managing natural
resources. We should support only those economic or developmental activities
that are people-centered, environmentally friendly, and economically beneficial.
Q5. Describe the steps taken by the government to protect the species from
becoming extinct.
Ans. Steps taken by the government to protect the species from becoming
extinct are:
The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972, with
various provisions for protecting habitats.
An all-India list of protected species was also published.
The main focus was on protecting the remaining population of certain
endangered species by banning hunting, giving legal protection to their
habitats, and restricting trade in wildlife.
Central and many state governments established national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries.
The central government also announced several projects for protecting
specific animals, which were seriously threatened such as tigers, one-
horned rhinoceros, etc.
Q6. ‘Nature worship an age-old tribal belief has preserved several virgin forests
in a pristine form called sacred groves.’ Comment on the statement with the
help of examples.
Ans. Sacred groves are a form of nature worship practiced by the tribal people
of India. Tribes consider forests as Gods and Goddesses and preserve them in
their pristine form. These patches of forest or parts of large forests have been
left untouched by the local people and any interference with them is banned.
Certain societies revere a particular tree that they have preserved from time
immemorial. The Mundas and the Santhal of the Chota Nagpur region worship
mahua and kadamba trees, and the tribals of Odisha and Bihar worship the
tamarind and mango trees during weddings. To many of us, peepal and banyan
trees are considered sacred.
Sacred qualities are often ascribed to springs, mountain peaks, plants, and
animals which are closely protected.
Q7. Describe the role of the community in forest and wildlife conservation.
Ans. Role of the community in forest and wildlife conservation:
In some areas of India, local communities are struggling to conserve
forests (their habitat) along with government officials.
In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers have fought against mining
by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.
The inhabitants of five villages in the Alwar district of Rajasthan have
declared 1,200 hectares of forest as the Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’,
declaring their own set of rules and regulations which do not allow
hunting and protecting the wildlife against any outside encroachments.
Q8. What is importance of forests?
Or
“Forests play a key role in the ecological system.” Highlight the value of forests
in our life.
Or
Why is it necessary to increase the area of forest in India?
Ans. (i) Forests play a key role in the ecological system as these are the primary
producers on which all other living beings depend.
(ii) Many forest dependent communities directly depend on them for food,
drink, medicine, culture, spirituality etc.
(iii) Forest provide us timber.
(iv) Forests also provide bamboo, wood for fuel, grass, charcoal, fruits, flowers,
etc.
