Class 10 NCERT Geography: Chapter 2 - Forest and Wildlife Resources

Introduction to Biodiversity

India is one of the world’s richest countries in biodiversity, hosting a vast array of flora and fauna integral to human life. Forests and wildlife form a complex ecological web, with forests as primary producers supporting all living beings. However, these resources face stress due to human insensitivity.

Importance of Flora and Fauna

• Ecological Role: Plants, animals, and microorganisms maintain air, water, and soil quality, essential for survival.
• Biodiversity: Diverse species are interlinked, supporting ecosystems and human needs like food and medicine.
• Cultural Integration: Flora and fauna are embedded in daily life, often taken for granted.

Conservation of Forest and Wildlife

Conservation is critical to preserve ecological diversity, life support systems (water, air, soil), and genetic diversity for species growth and breeding.

Need for Conservation

• Ecological Balance: Protects ecosystems that sustain life.
• Genetic Diversity: Ensures species survival for agriculture (traditional crop varieties) and fisheries (aquatic biodiversity).
• Threats: Rapid decline due to hunting, habitat loss, and trade.

Conservation Efforts in India

• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Banned hunting, protected habitats, restricted wildlife trade, and published a list of protected species.
• National Parks and Sanctuaries: Established by central and state governments to protect habitats.
• Species-Specific Projects: Focused on endangered species like tigers, rhinos, Asiatic lions, elephants, black buck, and snow leopards.
• Insect and Plant Protection: Wildlife Acts of 1980 and 1986 included butterflies, moths, beetles, a dragonfly, and six plant species.

Project Tiger

Launched in 1973, Project Tiger is a globally recognized campaign to save tigers, a key species in the faunal web.

Background

• Population Decline: Tiger numbers fell from 55,000 to 1,827 by 1973 due to poaching, habitat loss, prey depletion, and human population growth.
• Threats: Trade in tiger skins and bones for traditional medicines, especially in Asia.
• Significance: India and Nepal host two-thirds of the world’s tigers, making them targets for illegal trade.

Objectives and Impact

• Goal: Protect tigers and preserve large-scale biotypes.
• Tiger Reserves: Include Corbett (Uttarakhand), Sunderbans (West Bengal), Bandhavgarh (Madhya Pradesh), Sariska (Rajasthan), Manas (Assam), and Periyar (Kerala).
• Approach: Shifted to broader biodiversity conservation.

Types and Distribution of Forest and Wildlife Resources

India’s forest and wildlife resources are primarily government-managed, classified into three categories.

Forest Categories

Category	Description	Examples
Reserved Forests	Over 50% of forest land; most valuable for conservation.	Madhya Pradesh (75% of forest area).
Protected Forests	One-third of forest area; protected from depletion.	Bihar, Haryana, Punjab.
Unclassed Forests	Forests and wastelands owned by government or communities.	Northeastern states, Gujarat.

Distribution

• Reserved Forests: High in Madhya Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra.
• Protected Forests: Dominant in Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan.
• Unclassed Forests: Prevalent in Northeastern states and parts of Gujarat, managed by communities.

Community and Conservation

Local communities play a vital role in conservation, often integrating traditional practices with modern efforts.

Community-Led Initiatives

• Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan: Villagers opposed mining, citing the Wildlife Protection Act.
• Bhairodev Dakav ‘Sonchuri’, Alwar: Five villages declared 1,200 hectares as a protected forest, banning hunting and outside encroachments.
• Chipko Movement, Himalayas: Resisted deforestation and promoted community afforestation with indigenous species.
• Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya: Promoted chemical-free, diversified crop production.

Joint Forest Management (JFM)

• Origin: Initiated in 1988 in Odisha, formalized through village institutions.
• Mechanism: Communities protect degraded forest land managed by the Forest Department, gaining access to non-timber produce and a share of timber.
• Impact: Restores forests while supporting local livelihoods.

Sacred Groves

• Concept: Virgin forests protected by tribal beliefs, untouched by locals (e.g., forests of gods/goddesses).
• Examples: Mundas and Santhals worship mahua and kadamba trees; tamarind and mango revered in Odisha and Bihar.
• Wildlife Protection: Blackbuck, nilgai, and peacocks thrive in Bishnoi villages in Rajasthan.

Key Learnings

• India’s biodiversity is critical for ecological balance, supporting air, water, and soil quality.
• Conservation preserves ecosystems and genetic diversity, driven by the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and projects like Project Tiger.
• Forests are classified as reserved, protected, and unclassed, with varying regional distributions.
• Community efforts, like the Chipko Movement, JFM, and sacred groves, are vital for sustainable conservation.
• Challenges include poaching, habitat loss, and the need for greater community involvement in decision-making.

Exercises

1. Why Conserve? To preserve ecological diversity, life support systems, and genetic diversity for agriculture and fisheries.
2. Conservation Measures: Wildlife Protection Act, national parks, Project Tiger, protection for insects/plants.
3. Community Role: Chipko Movement, JFM, sacred groves, and local protection efforts like Bhairodev Dakav.
4. Forest Types: Reserved (conservation-focused), Protected (anti-depletion), Unclassed (community-managed).
5. Threats to Tigers: Poaching, habitat loss, prey depletion, human population growth.

Additional Activities

1. Create a poster on the importance of biodiversity conservation.
2. Research a local sacred grove or conservation practice and document its impact.
3. Map tiger reserves in India and analyze their role in biodiversity preservation.