Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 ||Geography|| Chapter 2 NCERT Notes

Forest and Wildlife Resources Class 10 ||Geography|| Chapter 2 NCERT Notes

Overview:

India is rich in biodiversity, with a wide variety of plant and animal species. Forests and wildlife are critical to maintaining ecological balance. However, these resources are under threat due to human activities like deforestation, poaching, and industrialization. The chapter explores the importance of forests and wildlife, the factors leading to their degradation, and the steps needed for conservation.

Key Concepts:

  1. Biodiversity in India:

    • India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity countries in the world, with about 8% of the total number of species found on Earth.
    • This biodiversity includes around 47,000 plant species and over 89,000 animal species.
    • Biodiversity varies across different regions of India due to diverse climates, topography, and ecosystems.

  2. Importance of Forests:

    • Forests play a vital role in supporting ecological stability. They help regulate climate, control floods, maintain soil fertility, and support livelihoods.
    • Forests are home to a wide variety of species, forming an integral part of biodiversity.
    • Forest resources provide fuel, fodder, and raw materials for various industries.

  3. Importance of Wildlife:

    • Wildlife helps maintain ecological balance by participating in food chains and ecosystems.
    • Species contribute to pollination, seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and controlling pest populations.
    • Many animals hold cultural and religious significance in India.

Degradation of Forest and Wildlife Resources:

  1. Deforestation:

    • Deforestation is the large-scale removal of forests for agricultural expansion, urbanization, and industrial development.
    • Major causes include commercial logging, agriculture (especially shifting cultivation), and infrastructure development like roads and dams.

  2. Hunting and Poaching:

    • Overhunting and illegal poaching have led to a decline in the population of several animal species.
    • Species like tigers, rhinoceroses, elephants, and leopards are especially vulnerable due to their high commercial value (e.g., for skins, horns, or tusks).

  3. Mining and Industrialization:

    • Industrial projects such as mining for coal, iron, and other minerals lead to the destruction of large areas of forest.
    • The construction of dams and hydroelectric projects also leads to habitat loss.

  4. Forest Fires:

    • Both natural and man-made forest fires lead to the destruction of forests, causing loss of vegetation and wildlife.

  5. Habitat Destruction:

    • Infrastructure development, including the construction of highways, railways, and residential areas, leads to habitat fragmentation and loss.
    • Wildlife corridors, which allow animals to move between different habitats, are often disrupted, leading to species isolation.

Conservation of Forest and Wildlife Resources:

  1. Conservation of Forests:

    • Afforestation and Reforestation: Replanting trees in deforested areas to restore ecological balance. Programs like Van Mahotsav (Tree Planting Festival) encourage tree planting.
    • Social Forestry: The government encourages people to grow trees on community lands, village woodlots, and along roadsides.
    • Agroforestry: Integrating trees and forest plants into agricultural landscapes to maintain biodiversity while providing economic benefits.

  2. Conservation of Wildlife:

    • National Parks and Sanctuaries: The government has set up several national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves to protect threatened species and their habitats.
      • Examples include Jim Corbett National Park, Kaziranga National Park, and Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve.
    • Project Tiger (1973): A nationwide conservation program aimed at protecting the tiger population, which was rapidly declining due to poaching and habitat destruction.
    • Project Elephant (1992): Launched to protect elephants and their habitats and to reduce human-elephant conflicts.

  3. Community and Participatory Conservation:

    • Local communities play an important role in forest and wildlife conservation.
    • Examples of successful community conservation efforts include:
      • Chipko Movement (1970s): A grassroots movement in the Himalayan region where villagers, led by women, hugged trees to protect them from being cut down by contractors.
      • Joint Forest Management (JFM): A program that involves local communities in managing and restoring degraded forests with the government.

  4. Legal Framework for Conservation:

    • The Indian government has passed several laws to protect forests and wildlife:
      • Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Prohibits the hunting of endangered species and establishes protected areas for wildlife.
      • Forest Conservation Act (1980): Regulates the use of forest land for non-forest purposes and emphasizes the need for compensatory afforestation.
      • Biological Diversity Act (2002): Protects India’s biological resources and regulates access to these resources by outsiders.

Types of Forests in India:

India has a variety of forests classified based on climate, topography, and altitude:

  1. Tropical Evergreen Forests:

    • Found in regions with heavy rainfall (e.g., Western Ghats, Andaman and Nicobar Islands).
    • Dense and rich in biodiversity, with species like ebony, mahogany, and rosewood.

  2. Tropical Deciduous Forests (Monsoon Forests):

    • Cover the largest area in India and shed their leaves in the dry season.
    • Found in regions with moderate rainfall, such as parts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha.

  3. Tropical Thorn Forests:

    • Found in areas with low rainfall (e.g., Rajasthan and Gujarat).
    • Vegetation consists of thorny bushes, acacia, and cactus.

  4. Montane Forests:

    • Found in mountainous regions like the Himalayas, with variations based on altitude.
    • At lower altitudes, you find tropical forests, while coniferous forests grow at higher altitudes.

  5. Mangrove Forests:

    • Found in coastal areas with brackish water, such as the Sundarbans in West Bengal.
    • These forests support species adapted to saline conditions, like the Sundari tree.

Endangered and Vulnerable Species:

  1. Endangered Species:

    • Species at high risk of extinction. Examples include the Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion, and Indian rhinoceros.

  2. Vulnerable Species:

    • Species that are likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening their survival improve. Examples include the Asian elephant, sloth bear, and blue sheep.

  3. Extinct Species:

    • Species that no longer exist. The Asiatic cheetah, once found in India, is an example of an extinct species in India.

Biodiversity Hotspots in India:

India is home to several biodiversity hotspots, areas rich in endemic species but under threat. The four major biodiversity hotspots in India are:

  1. The Western Ghats
  2. The Eastern Himalayas
  3. Sundaland (Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
  4. Indo-Burma Region

These areas are prioritized for conservation due to their high ecological significance.

Steps Towards Sustainable Management:

  • Sustainable Forestry Practices: Harvesting forest resources in a way that maintains biodiversity, ecological balance, and productivity.
  • Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public about the importance of forest and wildlife conservation through programs and initiatives like Save the Tiger and Eco-development Projects.
  • Involvement of Indigenous Communities: Recognizing the traditional knowledge of indigenous communities and involving them in conservation efforts can lead to more effective management of natural resources.

Conclusion:

Conserving forests and wildlife is essential for maintaining ecological balance and protecting the rich biodiversity of India. While human activities have severely threatened these resources, government initiatives, community participation, and sustainable practices can help reverse the damage.