Forest and Wildlife Resources
Class 10 Geography • Chapter 02
1. Biodiversity in India
India is one of the world's richest countries in biological diversity. (8% of world species).
Crisis: 10% of India's wild flora and 20% of mammals are on the threatened list. Cheetah,
Pink-headed duck, Mountain Quail are almost extinct.
IUCN Classification (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
- Normal Species: Population levels normal (Cattle, Sal, Pine).
- Endangered Species: In danger of extinction. If negative factors continue, they
will die (Black Buck, Crocodile, Indian Rhino, Indian Wild Ass).
- Vulnerable Species: Population declined to levels where it is likely to become
endangered (Blue Sheep, Asiatic Elephant, Gangetic Dolphin).
- Rare Species: Small population, can move to endangered/vulnerable (Himalayan Brown
Bear, Desert Fox).
- Endemic Species: Found ONLY in specific areas (Andaman Teal, Nicobar Pigeon, Mithun
in Arunachal).
- Extinct Species: Not found in known areas (Asiatic Cheetah, Pink Headed Duck).
2. Causes of Depletion
- Colonial Period: Expansion of railways, agriculture, commercial and scientific
forestry.
- Agriculture: Slash and burn cultivation (Jhumming) in North-East.
- Development Projects: River valley projects (Narmada Sagar Project submerged 40,000
hectares).
- Mining: Buxa Tiger Reserve (West Bengal) threatened by dolomite mining.
- Factors: Habit destruction, hunting, poaching, over-exploitation, environmental
pollution, poisoning, forest fires.
Is a medicinal plant found in HP and Arunachal. A chemical compound 'Taxol' is extracted
from its bark/needles/roots to treat some cancers. The species is under threat due to over-exploitation.
3. Conservation of Forest and Wildlife
Benefits: Preserves ecological diversity, water, air, soil. Preserves genetic diversity.
Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972:
- Ban on hunting.
- Legal protection to habitats.
- Restriction on trade in wildlife.
- Established National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Project Tiger (1973)
One of the most well-publicised wildlife campaigns. Tiger population had fallen from 55,000 (year 1900) to
1,827 (year 1973).
Major Tiger Reserves:
- Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand)
- Sundarbans National Park (West Bengal)
- Bandhavgarh National Park (Madhya Pradesh)
- Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary (Rajasthan)
- Manas Tiger Reserve (Assam)
- Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala)
4. Types of Forest Distribution
- Reserved Forests: More than half of total forest land. Most valuable for conservation.
(J&K, Andhra, Uttarakhand, Kerala, TN, West Bengal, Maharashtra).
- Protected Forests: 1/3rd of total. Protected from further depletion. (Bihar, Haryana,
Punjab, HP, Odisha, Rajasthan).
- Unclassed Forests: Belong to both govt and private individuals/communities.
(North-eastern states, Gujarat).
5. Community and Conservation
Conservation is not new to India. Locals often struggle to conserve forests.
- Sariska (Rajasthan): Villagers fought against mining by citing Wildlife Protection Act.
- Bhairodev Dakav 'Sonchuri': Distt Alwar (Rajasthan). 5 villages declared 1,200 hectares
as protected. Their own rules (No hunting).
- Chipko Movement: Himalayas. Successfully resisted deforestation. Also showed community
afforestation.
- Beej Bachao Andolan (Tehri): Farmers showed that adequate production is possible
without synthetic chemicals.
- Joint Forest Management (JFM): Started in Odisha (1988). Village communities protect
degraded forests in return for share in produce (timber/non-timber).
In Rajasthan, herds of Blackbuck, Nilgai and Peacocks are seen as integral part of community and nobody
harms them.
[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER: WILDLIFE RESERVES MAP]
Map of India showing Major Wildlife Sanctuaries, Bird Sanctuaries and National Parks. Mark Corbett,
Kaziranga, Manas, Gir, Periyar, Sundarbans.
