Class 10 Geography Chapter 2 notes are crucial for the CBSE Board examination. Forests provide ecological stability, economic resources, and habitat to wildlife. Wildlife, in turn, maintains environmental balance by contributing to biodiversity, which supports food chains, natural cycles, and human needs. This article of Forest and Wildlife Resources class 10 notes will explore forest and wildlife resources, threats to their sustainability, and conservation strategies.
Forest And Wildlife Resources Notes
Biodiversity or Biological Diversity
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including different species, genetic differences within species, and ecosystems like forests, oceans, and deserts. It is essential for ecosystem stability, providing benefits like oxygen production, pollination, and climate regulation, and supporting life by making ecosystems more resilient to changes.
- Flora: Plants of a particular area are called flora.
- Fauna: The species of animals are called fauna.
- Forest: A large area covered with trees.
- Wildlife Sanctuary: It is a reserved area for preserving natural beauty.
- Wasteland: The land that is not fit for cultivating crops.
Flora and Fauna in India
India is one of the richest countries in biological diversity, home to a wide variety of forests and wildlife. Based on the classifications by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), we can categorize plants and animals in India as follows:
- Normal Species: These species have stable population levels that ensure their survival. Examples include cattle, sal, pine, and rodents.
- Endangered Species: These species are at serious risk of extinction. Examples are the black buck, crocodile, Indian wild ass, Indian rhinoceros, lion-tailed macaque, and sangai (brow-antlered deer found in Manipur).
- Vulnerable Species: These species have declining populations that, if the decline continues, could soon push them into the endangered category. Examples include the blue sheep, Asiatic elephant, and Gangetic dolphin.
- Rare Species: These species have small populations and could become endangered or vulnerable if current threats persist. Examples include the Himalayan brown bear, wild Asiatic buffalo, desert fox, and hornbill.
- Endemic Species: These species are only found in specific areas, often isolated by natural barriers. Examples are the Andaman teal, Nicobar pigeon, Andaman wild pig, and the Mithun in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Extinct Species: These species are no longer found in certain areas or might be entirely extinct. Examples are the Asiatic cheetah and the pink-headed duck.
This classification helps understand the conservation status of various species and take steps to protect them.
| Animal | Habitat | Conservation Status |
|---|---|---|
| Bengal Tiger | Sundarbans, Western Ghats | Endangered |
| Asiatic Lion | Gir National Park | Endangered |
| Indian Elephant | Northeast, Western Ghats, central India | Vulnerable |
| Indian Rhino | Assam | Vulnerable |
| Snow Leopard | Himalayas | Vulnerable |
Fearful Depletion of Flora and Fauna
- Excessive consumption of natural resources for fulfilling human needs, such as wood, bark, leaves, rubber, medicines, dyes, food, fuel, fodder, manure, etc.
- The expansion of the railways, agriculture, commercial and scientific forestry, and mining activities.
- Large-scale development of projects and mining activities.
- Unequal access, inequitable consumption of resources, and differential sharing of responsibility for environmental well-being.
Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India
Conservation preserves the ecological diversity and preserves the genetic diversity of plants and animals.
- The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972 to protect habitats, and an all-India list of protected species was published.
- The central government also announced several projects for protecting specific animals. Under the Wildlife Act of 1980 and 1986, several hundred butterflies, moths, beetles, and one dragonfly have been added to the list of protected species.
- In 1991, for the first time, plants were also added to the list, starting with six species.
Project Tiger
Introduction:
- Launched by the Government of India in 1973.
- Aim: To protect and increase the tiger population, which was endangered.
Reasons for Launch:
- Threats to tigers included poaching, habitat loss, and human conflicts.
- Tigers were at risk of extinction without intervention.
Key Objectives:
- Establish safe habitats for tigers in designated tiger reserves.
- Protect tigers from poaching and human encroachment.
Conservation Efforts:
- Designated areas as tiger reserves to provide a secure environment for tigers.
- Focused on ecosystem management and reducing human-tiger conflicts.
- Promoted community involvement to support conservation.
Success and Impact:
- Increased number of tiger reserves and tiger populations over time.
- Became a key part of India’s wildlife conservation strategy.
- Remains one of India’s most successful biodiversity programs.
| Tiger Reserve / National Park | State |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources
In India, much of its wildlife and forest is either owned or managed by the government through the forest department. These are classified under the following categories.
- 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 one-third 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.
Community and Conservation
Conservation of the forest and wildlife resources is very important. Here are a few steps taken by the common people of India to save forests and wildlife:
- 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’. Villages came up with their own set of rules and regulations which do not allow hunting. They are also protecting the wildlife against any outside encroachments.
- The famous Chipko movement in the Himalayas was one successful attempt to resist deforestation in several areas. The movement has also resulted in community afforestation.
- Farmers and citizen’s groups like the Beej Bachao Andolan in Tehri and Navdanya have shown that adequate levels of diversified crop production without the use of synthetic chemicals are possible and economically viable.
- India’s Joint Forest Management (JFM) program furnishes a good example of involving local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests.
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