Forest and Wildlife Resources

1. Chapter Overview

India has immense biological diversity. Forests, wildlife, plants, animals and microorganisms form an interconnected ecological system on which human life also depends. This chapter explains why biodiversity needs conservation, how India has attempted to protect forests and wildlife, how forests are classified, and why local communities are important in conservation.

2. Biodiversity and the Ecological System

Meaning of Biodiversity

Biodiversity (Biological Diversity) refers to the immense variety of living organisms, diverse in form and function, that are closely integrated through multiple networks of interdependence.

• It includes microorganisms, bacteria, lichens, plants, animals and many other living organisms.
• Human beings are only one part of the ecological system.
• Plants, animals and microorganisms help maintain the quality of air, water and soil.
• Forests are important primary producers on which many other living beings depend.

3. Flora and Fauna in India

India is one of the world's richest countries in terms of its vast array of biological diversity. The variety of flora and fauna is closely integrated with everyday life, although these resources are increasingly under stress.

Important Terms

Why are flora and fauna under stress?

• Insensitivity towards the environment can place pressure on biological resources.
• Deforestation and habitat disturbance affect wildlife and ecosystems.
• Developmental activities can alter or reduce natural habitats.
• Unsustainable use of forests and wildlife can reduce biodiversity.

4. Conservation of Forest and Wildlife in India

Conservation became increasingly important against the background of rapid decline in wildlife populations and forestry.

Why conserve forests and wildlife?

1. Protect ecological diversity: ecosystems depend on interconnected living organisms.
2. Protect life-support systems: forests and biodiversity support water, air and soil.
3. Protect genetic diversity: genetic resources help species growth and breeding.
4. Support agriculture: traditional crop varieties remain important.
5. Support fisheries: aquatic biodiversity is essential to fisheries.

Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

• Implemented in 1972 with provisions for protecting habitats.
• An all-India list of protected species was published.
• The programme aimed to protect remaining populations of certain endangered species.
• Measures included banning hunting, giving legal protection to habitats and restricting wildlife trade.

Expansion of conservation focus

Conservation projects increasingly focused on biodiversity rather than only a few individual species. Protected-species lists were expanded to include several butterflies, moths, beetles and a dragonfly; in 1991, plants were also added, beginning with six species.

5. Project Tiger

Project Tiger was launched in 1973. It became one of the well-publicised wildlife campaigns and treated tiger conservation as an effort to protect not only an endangered species but also habitats of substantial ecological importance.

Why was tiger conservation necessary?

• Tiger populations had come under severe pressure.
• Trade in tiger skins and use of tiger bones in traditional medicines contributed to the threat.
• Poaching and illegal wildlife trade were major concerns.
• Protecting tiger habitats also helps protect wider ecosystems.

Examples of Tiger Reserves / Protected Areas named in the chapter

6. Types and Distribution of Forest Resources

Much of India's forest and wildlife resources are owned or managed by the government through the Forest Department or other government departments. The chapter groups forests into three categories.

Permanent Forest Estates

Reserved and protected forests are also referred to as permanent forest estates, maintained for producing timber and other forest produce and for protective reasons.

• Madhya Pradesh: largest area under permanent forests, constituting 75% of its total forest area.
• Large percentages of reserved forests: Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra.
• Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan have a bulk of their forests under protected forests.
• All North-Eastern states and parts of Gujarat have a high percentage of unclassed forests managed by local communities.

7. Community and Conservation

Conservation strategies are not new in India. Forests are also homes and livelihood resources for traditional communities. In many places, communities have worked with or independently of government agencies to protect habitats.

Sariska and Alwar examples

• In Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, villagers fought against mining by citing the Wildlife Protection Act.
• In Alwar district, five villages declared 1,200 hectares of forest as Bhairodev Dakav 'Sonchuri'.
• They established their own rules and regulations, including restrictions on hunting, and protected wildlife from outside encroachment.

Chipko Movement

• Associated with the Himalayas.
• Successfully resisted deforestation in several areas.
• Demonstrated the importance of community participation.
• Showed that community afforestation using indigenous species can be successful.

Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya

• Farmers and citizens' groups promoted diversified crop production.
• The chapter presents them as examples showing that adequate levels of diversified crop production without synthetic chemicals can be possible and economically viable.

Joint Forest Management (JFM)

Joint Forest Management provides an example of involving local communities in the management and restoration of degraded forests. It reflects the idea that local participation can support long-term conservation and livelihoods.

8. Key Cause-and-Effect Connections

9. Important Timeline

10. Important Definitions

11. Quick Revision Sheet

1. India has rich biodiversity and complex ecological interdependence.
2. Forests are primary producers and support many other living organisms.
3. Conservation protects ecological diversity, life-support systems and genetic diversity.
4. The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act was implemented in 1972.
5. Project Tiger was launched in 1973.
6. Three forest categories: Reserved, Protected and Unclassed.
7. Reserved forests are regarded as most valuable for conservation.
8. Reserved and protected forests together are called permanent forest estates.
9. Community conservation is illustrated by Sariska, Alwar, Chipko and other initiatives.
10. Joint Forest Management involves local communities in forest management and restoration.

12. Interactive 30-Question Quiz

Choose one answer for each question, then click Check Score.