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

Chapters

Planet's Biodiversity:
- Millions of living beings coexist, from micro-organisms to large mammals
- Immense biodiversity supports complex ecological systems
Human Dependence on Ecosystem:
- Humans are part of the ecological web, dependent on it for survival
- Plants, animals, and micro-organisms maintain air, water, and soil quality essential for human existence
Role of Forests:
- Crucial in ecological system as primary producers supporting other life forms
- Essential for maintaining balance and sustainability in the environment

Rich Biological Diversity in India:
- Abundance of unique animals and plants
- One of the world's richest countries in terms of biodiversity
- Potential for discovery of new species
Importance of Flora and Fauna:
- Integral part of daily life, providing essential resources
- Often taken for granted, but crucial for ecosystem balance
Current Challenges:
- Increasing stress on flora and fauna due to environmental insensitivity
- Threats to biodiversity require urgent attention and conservation efforts

Conservation of forest and wildlife is crucial due to rapid declines in population.
Reasons for conservation:
- Preserves ecological diversity and life support systems (water, air, soil).
- Maintains genetic diversity of plants and animals for species growth and breeding.
- Essential for agriculture and fisheries, relying on traditional crop varieties and aquatic biodiversity.
In the 1960s and 1970s, demand for national wildlife protection led to the implementation of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act in 1972.
The Act aimed to protect habitats and endangered species by banning hunting, legally safeguarding habitats, and restricting wildlife trade.
National parks and wildlife sanctuaries were established by central and state governments.
Specific animal protection projects were initiated, focusing on endangered species like the tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, Kashmir stag, crocodiles, Asiatic lion, Indian elephant, black buck, great Indian bustard, snow leopard, etc.
Legal protection against hunting and trade was provided for various species throughout India.

Tiger population declined drastically to 1,827 from an estimated 55,000 at the turn of the century.
Major threats to tiger population include poaching, habitat loss, prey depletion, and human encroachment.
Trade of tiger skins and bones in traditional medicine contributed to their decline.
India and Nepal host about two-thirds of the world's surviving tiger population, making them prime targets for poaching and illegal trade.
"Project Tiger" was launched in 1973 as a prominent wildlife conservation effort.
Aimed not only at saving an endangered species but also preserving significant biotypes.
Notable tiger reserves in India include Corbett National Park, Sunderbans National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary, Manas Tiger Reserve, and Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Managing and regulating India's vast forest and wildlife resources is challenging.
Much of the resources are owned or managed by the government, primarily through the Forest Department.
Forest resources are classified into three categories:
- Reserved Forests: Over half of the total forest land is designated as reserved forests, considered most valuable for conservation.
- Protected Forests: Nearly one-third of the forest area is protected by the Forest Department to prevent further depletion.
- Unclassed Forests: These include other forested areas and wastelands owned by both government and private entities.

Reserved and protected forests are maintained as permanent forest estates for timber production and conservation purposes.
Madhya Pradesh has the largest area of permanent forests, constituting 75% of its total forest area.
Various states have significant percentages of reserved or protected forests, with unclassed forests being prevalent in northeastern states and parts of Gujarat, managed by local communities.

Conservation strategies in India involve traditional communities living in forests.
Local communities collaborate with government officials to conserve habitats for long-term livelihood.
Examples include:
- Villagers in Sariska Tiger Reserve fighting against mining using the Wildlife Protection Act.
- Communities in Alwar district, Rajasthan, declaring forest areas as protected zones.
- The Chipko movement in the Himalayas resisting deforestation and promoting community afforestation.
Efforts like the Beej Bachao Andolan and Navdanya promote ecological farming without synthetic chemicals.
Joint Forest Management (JFM) involves local communities in managing degraded forests, providing benefits in return for protection efforts.
The involvement of local communities is crucial in natural resource management, but there's a need for more inclusion in decision-making.
Economic and developmental activities should prioritize being people-centric, environmentally friendly, and economically rewarding.